Olimpia kept its winning streak alive with a 83-81 win over Cremona, on the road. Olimpia led for the majority of the time by as many as 11 points, but didn’t kill the game, so during the last six minutes Cremona attempted a desperate comeback to get the mandatory win in order to clinch an Italy Cup berth. Its attempt produced a 15-0 run and a four-point lead, but in the end proved to be unfruitful. During the last four minutes, Olimpia raised the defensive level, and scored the necessary points. Gigi Datome made a three to shrink the margin to one point, Zach LeDay with another three tied the game up, then he made two free throws and three more were made by Kevin Punter. Cremona dropped four points behind, Daulton Hommes made the three that kept his team alive, but his last attempt was a desperate one. Olimpia defended well during the last five seconds on the clock and forced an impossible shot that barely hit the first rim. “I’m glad we win against a team who was capable to beat some high-caliber teams. It wasn’t our best game – Coach Ettore Messina said -, but in the most difficult juncture, we regrouped and finished the game better. Obviously, I’m worried about Jeff Brooks’ injury. It doesn’t look good.”

Coach Messina decided to rest Kyle Hines and Sergio Rodriguez, who was on the bench but didn’t play. Kevin Punter led all the scorers with 15 points and was crucial in the closing possessions. Kaleb Tarczewski was in a dominating mood for most of the game, scored 14 points, he was 7-for-7 from the field and grabbed 12 rebounds. Zach LeDay and Michael Roll scored in double digit too. Gigi Datome added nine points and five rebounds.

Jeff Brooks’ injury took place in the third quarter following a turnover. He limped off the court clutching his right thigh and obviously never returned.

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