Olimpia started the EuroLeague season on a high note, prevailing in Belgrade 92-82 over Red Star. It is the sixth consecutive road win against Red Star, an unusual streak. However, Olimpia basically led for the length of the game with the exception of the first possession (Jordan Nwora made a three that was a glimpse of the game he was going to play) and once in the third quarter where Nwora tied the game up at 51 and Codi Miller-McIntyre on a break surpassed. A few more times, Red Star tied the game up, but Olimpia’s answers were strong all night long. After Red Star took the lead in the third period, Marko Guduric, who had one point in the first half, made two straight threes turning the game around again. That took place when Zach LeDay, who led the scorers with 21 points, was taking a seat with three fouls. In the first half, Coach Messina elected to play Vlatko Cancar as a reliever, but not in the second. Pippo Ricci was ready to go. He started his game with an easy lay-up generated by a Josh Nebo assist and continued with two corner threes that ignited Olimpia’s break between the third and the fourth quarter. Ricci finished with eight points. In less than ten minutes on the court, Olimpia outscored Red Star by seven. On top of it, LeDay was protected and rested. When he came back, he was full of energy. He attacked off the dribble, earned trips to the line, and scored from the field when needed. “A couple of times, we lost control, but our veterans directed the team in the right way – Coach Messina said – Guduric had two practices with the team, didn’t play in the Supercup and we had to use him for limited minutes. But at the right time he came up big. Not just with the points. He gave everybody confidence and calm.”

It was a huge team effort. Four players scored in double digit and all of them helped. Shavon Shields set the tempo early; he scored eight points in the first five minutes then came back late in the game with a three and a mid-range jumper that essentially closed the game off at the end. Josh Nebo was huge, especially early in the second half when Olimpia attempted to build a clear lead. He scored 12 points on 5-for-5 shooting, converting alley-oop passes. Armoni Brooks had his three-point shot off all night but converted on a couple of drives, including a three-point play that gave Olimpia a 12-point lead early in the fourth. Leandro Bolmaro as all over the floor. “He does so many things that are showing in how many minutes he is staying on the court,” Coach Messina pointed out. Bolmaro had nine points, five rebounds, two assists and some great defensive plays.

Without Lorenzo Brown, Nico Mannion started at the points and made a lot of clutch plays. He controlled the tempo, scored nine points on high efficiency and had five assists. Quinn Ellis in his EuroLeague debut gave his customary energy to the team in his 12 minutes on the court. Olimpia managed to score 92 points again “and our defense step up at the right time,” Messina said. Tyson Carter created some problems with his speed, Jordan Nwora finished with 19 points and Codi Miller-McIntyre with strength and speed caused multiple problems to Olimpia. Red Star certainly was affected by injuries and lost Jasiel Rivero at the half. However, before more than 17,000 people, Olimpia played with a lot of personality and deserved the win.