Olimpia picked the right night to play a special game, winning 98-80 in Monte Carlo against the second-place team in the EuroLeague, coming off eight consecutive wins. Olimpia had an oustanding game, 22 assists, just seven turnovers and six players scored in double digit led by Nikola Mirotic’s 21 points. It was a special night because Shavon Shields set the new club record for point scored in the EuroLeague or the top international competition surpassing the great Bob McAdoo’s 1.292 points scored.

Olimpia took the game over late in the first quarter when Stefano Tonut made two straight three-pointers and opened a significant seven-point lead that Maodo Lo sustained with a terrific second quarter. Olimpia led by 14 at the half, extended the lead to 18 points early in the third including Shields’ record setting lay-up. The biggest lead was 19 before Monaco launched its predictable all-out assault. After reducing the lead to nine Devon Hall made a huge corner three. Early in the fourth the margin was reduced to just six points. “But we kept defending and managed to keep them out of the paint – Coach Ettore Messina said – because earlier they went to the line repeatedly attacking the rim. When you keep people out and force them to shoot from afar sometimes that score and sometimes they don’t.” Nikola Mirotic kept Monaco at a distance and Olimpia finished the game dominating it.

“We played with a lot of cohesion – Coach Messina remarked – We defended and rebounded well against an athletic and strong team. More than that we dished 22 assists and turnovers were kept at a minimum which was remarkable against Monaco. Now we can build on it.”