The defense. The defense won the opening EuroLeague night in Villeurbanne, 69-62, after allowing just 18 points to Asvel in the entire second half, eight in the fourth quarter, and coming back from a terrible first period, when it trailed 20-5 and was closed nine points behind. Everything happened in the first quarter: Kyle Hines got scratched in the forehead and had to go to the locker room momentarily, the electronic devices didn’t work, and the game was played in the dark (no score, no fouls, no time-outs were displayed on the scoreboard), Asvel made eight of its nine attempts and looked dominant. Gradually, Olimpia found its rhythm, riding Nicolò Melli and Billy Baron efficiency. Stefano Tonut also helped, at both ends of the floor. In the second half, the defense took over. Olimpia built a seven-point lead that looked almost decisive, but Asvel responded when the offense stuttered again. The fourth quarter was a battle. Olimpia used its defense to stay in control. Nando De Colo, who had 16 points in the first half, scored his only two points of the second from the line to put Asvel ahead 61-60. After Coach Messina’s final time-out, Olimpia had a 6-0 run: Billy Baron made another three on his way to a 18-point game, Kevin Pangos, scoreless up to that moment, made another one and Olimpia won the game. Between the two threes, Devon Hall forced De Colo to an impossible pass that Nicolò Melli intercepted.

“We had an awful start – Coach Messina said -. But I think we stayed there, we competed, we did not give up, the players really reacted with a lot of energy. The veterans really took responsibility on a tough night for most of them. Billy [Baron] hit big shots. I think Stefano Tonut really helped us a lot today, being a rookie in the EuroLeague, I am really happy for him. The defense kept them to 18 points in the second half. This is the type of game that changes when the defense keeps you alive even when the offense stutters. Devon Hall was terrific defensively in the second half on Nando De Colo who really attacked us in the first. At the end, all I tried to do was put the ball in the right hands. Billy was very confident and Kevin Pangos, who struggled most of the night after being out for three weeks because of an injury, had the confidence to take and make the last three. It says a lot about his character.”