A monumental comeback proved to be not enough for Olimpia against powerful Real Madrid. Down by 12 late in the fourth, Olimpia extended its defense, generated steals and finally found some rhythm offensively. Five consecutive points scored by Gigi Datome shrank Real Madrid’s lead to two points. Then, down by three five seconds remaining, Devon Hall made a free throw and intentionally missed the second. The rebound was up fro grabs, Malcolm Delaney was the first to get the hands on the ball in the corner and attempted a difficult but not impossible three at the buzzer to win the game. It was in-and-out. Real Madrid saved the win 75-73.

It was a difficult game offensively for Olimpia. Real Madrid made 13 threes for the night, Olimpia made a couple at the end but for most of the night it struggled to connect. Inside, size and shot-blocking ability, there was no room to operate, offensively the second half was much better, but Olimpia stayed in the game with its defense and a great rebounding effort, with Nicolò Melli and Kyle Hines finishing with nine each. “The second quarter when we scored eight points cost us the game – Coach Ettore Messina said – we won the other three quarters but that was not enough. In the second half, we scored, we also gave up some easy lay-ups and they made a lot of threes, some of them surely unplanned, but to beat them you have to play almost a perfect game. And the second quarter was not. Give them some credit for it.”

Shavon Shields scored 18 points, he was fouled in the last minute for what the referees thought could be a flagrant fouls. They went to the video screen but eventually Rudy Fernandez foul was label as a basketball foul. Shields had to sit out the last couple of possession with a wrist injury that will be evaluated. Sergio Rodriguez added 10 points and five assists.