Olimpia came up short in Bologna, losing 86-79 after an hard fought battle that was decided in the last 90 seconds. Iffe Lundberg, the seldom used Bologna guard, made a huge three that extended Virtus’ lead to five points. Previously Olimpia had been able to reduced it from nine points to two. But the comeback was not really sustained by the defense. “It is probably the sixth game that we lose in the fourth quarter more or less in the same manner. The fourth quarter is when you have to defend like crazy and make good and simple decisions on offense. This is something we are not doing well now and it cost us the game”, Coach Ettore Messina said.

Olimpia started the game well, built a five-point lead several times in the first half but any time momentum was in its favor, Olimpia have it back to Bologna. At the half, Virtus led by five because coming off the bench Awudu Abass scored 11 points. However, Olimpia started the second half effectively. A 6-0 run meant getting back the lead. Daniel Hackett was huge in the third but Olimpia stayed in the lead or trailed by a couple of points. In the fourth quarter when Lundberg scored 17 points Olimpia lost the game unfortunately.

The difference in points provided by the bench was too big to overcome. Bologna had 44 points scored by the second unit. Olimpia had just nine, all of them scored by Kyle Hines. So the five men scoring in double digits became a wasted capital.