Decimated one more time, forced to play without Diego Flaccadori on top of the any players already
missing, Olimpia played the game it was supposed to play only came up a little short, losing 72-64. Olimpia led most of the game, almost for three quarters, then the defense tried to win the game, but three-point shooting was nonexistent for the all night. “We didn’t shoot well of course – Coach Ettore Messina said -, but I’m a little bit disappointed with what happened in the second part of the third quarter when we got a little margin and then we launched a couple of shots. It was mostly fatigue. When you are tired to attempt to score. In that particular moment, we gave some momentum back to Brescia. We came back again, but we did it by attacking the rim, getting some free throws, moving the ball with
patience. I think it cost us the game.”
However, Coach Messina spent kind words for the team. “Under the circumstances we had to deal with, the guys played with enormous heart. Our situation was almost unbearable, but with patience we could have played a game like the one we played 36 hours ago. We overcame a lot of difficulties, including the problem we had with our top players being tired after the EuroLeague game they had 36 hours ago.”
In the fourth quarter, Brescia had a ten-point lead when Shabazz Napier with three free throws and a three-point play launched a big rally that was supported by an assist by Melli to Poythress. Again Napier (who finished the game with 18 points) scored on a drive and reduced tha deficit to three points. The defense erected the wall and Olimpia had possession to potentially tie the game up. Turning the corner on a Poythress’ screen, Napier jumped for a three. There was a lot of contact that was deemed irrelevant by the referees. “In spite of fatigue and being shorthanded, we managed to be one possession away from tying the game. The call unfortunately went against us. That doesn’t change my feeling, the players did
everything they could in terms of desire,” Messina said.
On the ensuing possession, Miro Bilan made a huge three that closed the game, 72-64.
