Olimpia’s preseason finished on a high note, with a convincing win over Virtus Bologna in Crete. The final score was 73-62 but the biggest lead was 25 points at the end of the third period. Olimpia had a letdown in the fourth quarter and allowed Virtus to come back within 11 at the end. But the outcome was never in doubt. Coach Ettore Messina opted for an Italian league kind of roster with six foreigners. Fabien Causeur, Armoni Brooks and David McCormack didn’t play. It was the fifth win over six preseason game and the only loss came in a close game with Fenerbahce. In Crete, Messina started the game with Shavon Shields at the guard and Pippo Ricci as a nominal 3. Olimpia dominated the game from the middle of the first period, was able to run the floor and used consistently the interior game of the big men, Josh Nebo and Ousmane Diop, while Zach LeDay set the tone early with his energy and two-way game. Olimpia’s biggest margin was 17 points late in the second; reached 20 points early in the third with back to back threes made by Ricci and Bolmaro from the corners. From that point on, the game was safe.

EA7 Emporio Armani-Virtus Bologna 73-62

Olimpia: Dimitrijevic 5 (1/4,1/4, 3 a), Bortolani 2 (1/1, 0/1), Tonut 8 (4/4, 0/1, 0/3 ft, 5 r), Bolmaro 6 (1/4, 1/3, 1/2 ft, 5 a), LeDay 14 (2/6, 2/4, 4/4, 8 r), Ricci 8 (1/2, 2/2), Flaccadori (0/2, 0/2), Diop 8 (1/1, 6/7 ft), Caruso, Shields 4 (1/4, 0/2, 2/2 ft, 4 r), Nebo 8 (4/6, 5 r), Mirotic 10 (3/6, 1/4, 1/2 ft).

Virtus Bologna: Cordinier 12, Pajola 6, Clyburn 2, Shengelia 5, Hackett 2, Morgan 2, Polonara, Diouf 8, Zizic 14, Akele 6, Tucker 5.