Another great match between Virtus Bologna And Umana Reyer Venice with the Bianconeri eventually “surviving” and winning, taking the series to 2-0. Bologna dominates in the first half but suffers a comeback from Reyer who also puts her head forward towards the end. The decision is made by Isaia Cordinier, penetration with four seconds to go and free to overtake. Last possession for Rayjon Tucker who however fails to shoot: it ends 79-78.
Scoreboards
Virtus Segafredo Bologna: Cordinier 10, Belinelli 14, Pajola 5, Dobric, Mascolo, Shengelia 5, Hackett 9, Mickey 9, Polonara 11, Zizic 2, Dunston 9, Abass 5.
Umana Reyer Venezia: Spissu 6, Tessitori 9, Heidegger 6, Casarin 3, De Nicolao 11, Janelidze, Kabengele, Parks 14, Brooks 2, Simms 14, Wiltjer, Tucker 13.
Virtus Bologna vs Reyer Venezia, the match report
4Q – Shengelia brings her team back to +9 after a defensive play by Dunston. The big man Virtus was unlucky a few plays later with the iron spitting out his shot. Here comes the fifth foul by Shengelia, while Simms scores -7 from the line. Polonara! Another basket in a difficult moment. On the other side Parks dunks on an assist from De Nicolao. Simms scores -5. Dunston scores a free throw, 69-63 in the 34th minute. De Nicolao! Reverse for -4. Polonara, who leads Virtus in attack, responds: timeout. Parks did a great job from the post, 71-67 in the 35th minute. Bad mistake by Spissu, lost and Hackett goes to the line, 1/2. CASARIN! Bomba, Venezia at -2 and Banchi timeout. Free for Dustnon, 1/2, 73-70 with 3:30 to play. Simms is fouled, 2/2 and -1 in the 37th minute. Venice ahead for the first time, Parks scores 73-74. Cordinier tries to take the team by the hand and equalizes at 74-74 with the clock stopped. We only score from the line now, Parks makes it 2/2 for 74-76 in the 38th minute. Venezia has the ball to extend but doesn’t exploit it, and Hackett equalizes served by Mickey cutting. PARKS! Basket by +2 Reyer one minute from the end. Virtus doesn’t find an easy shot, Hackett solves it and manages to win two free throws at 76-78 with 37.2 seconds left. Only 1/2, Virtus down 77-78. BREAKTHROUGH by Tucker on Cordinier! Persa Reyer: 20.7 seconds to play and 77-78. Cordinier attacks the rim and is fouled: Frenchman on the line at -1 with 4 seconds. The #00 of Virtus is 2/2 and +1 Virtus. No timeout Spahija, ball to Tucker who loses the ball: Virtus Bologna saves itself and wins Game 2, 79-78.
3Q – Virtus gets off to a great start again, 5-0 with Abass’ triple at +22, 52-30. Spissu replies. A free throw for Cordinier brings his score back to +20. Another Spissu bomb! 53-36. Virtus lost, Parks made a mistake and Zizic on the other end made it 55-36 after 3:30. Cordinier signs the +21. Tessitori scores from underneath, Tucker from the line. Partial success with De Nicolao’s triple making it 57-42 in the 26th minute, Banchi timeout. Reyer closes again to -13 but Polonara shoots an important triple. De Nicolao scores two free throws. Belinelli’s magic, no look assist for Mickey and Reyer timeout at 62-45. Nailed by Rayjon Tucker in the open field, mini break for Venezia which returns to -9. Belinelli makes a mistake, Tucker adds two more for -7. The hosts need points with Shengelia on the bench with 4 fouls. Hackett unblocks him with two free throws. Tucker also scores from the area: 64-57 at 30′.
2Q – Reyer shoots from distance for -10. Banchi puts Shengelia back on the field who immediately scores: 1/2. MAGIC by Marco Belinelli who scores the first points with a great triple from the corner which makes it 32-18. Venice in confusion, many trivial turnovers and Mickey bomb making it 35-18 in the 13th minute. Spahija stops the race. Simms scores from below, but Belinelli scores another: 38-20 in the 14th minute. Nice basket from Brooks. Tessitori fights and scores, 4-0 Reyer and -14. Virtus prompt response, Belinelli bomb. Tucker scores the free throws to make it 42-26. But Belinelli! Another bomb and 45-26 in the 19th minute. Dobric’s dunk in the final doesn’t count: Virtus ahead 47-30 at halftime.
1Q – Virtus Bologna starts 7-0 after two minutes, with Reyer Venezia in great confusion. Tessitori opens the orogranata competition. Wonderful assist from Shengelia for Dunston’s dunk. The Georgian then scores in transition, it’s 11-2 in the 3rd minute. Bomb by Pajola, Virtus at +11 in the 5th minute. Reyer finds points again with Tessitori, basket and foul: 14-5. Reply Dunston on the other side. Heidegger makes a mistake, asks for a foul and technician. The men change but not the music, Mickey comes in and immediately two points: Bologna up 20-5 in the 7th minute. Parks unlocks the scoreboard with two free throws. Hackett’s basket fadeaway from the post. Casarin stops Abass’s dunk attempt, 2/2 and 26-7 in the 8th minute. Simms scores a half-hook. With Mascolo lost, Heidegger scores two free throws. Mickey reverses for two more. Heidegger carries Reyer on his shoulders, final triple: 28-15 after 10′.
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After the exciting 103-89 decision in overtime between Virtus Bologna and Reyer Venezia in game 1, we return this evening to the Segafredo Arena, with tap-off at 8.45 pm, for the second match of the Legabasket semi-final series 2023-24. Live television is provided by DAZN, DMAX and Eurosport 2. In the Bologna ranks Iffe Lundberg is out, among the Orogranata no news on Kabengele, in the twelve fielded by Neven Spahija in game 1 but without having entered the field.
The 12 of Banchi: Cordinier, Belinelli, Pajola, Dobric, Mascolo, Shengelia, Hackett, Mickey, Polonara, Zizic, Dunston, Abass.
