Devon Hall hit a game-winning jumper with four seconds remaining to lift Olimpia Milano to an 87-85 victory over Virtus Bologna in a hard-fought encounter.
How Milano Built and Lost a First-Half Lead
Olimpia Milano opened the match aggressively, manufacturing a 30-20 advantage by the end of the first quarter. Darius Thompson sparked the early offense with eight points, including two three-pointers and a steal that set up a dunk for Jason Burnell. Milano extended that margin to 15 points at 41-26 in the second period, buoyed by Burnell’s interior activity and seven points from RJ Cole. However, Virtus Bologna responded by shifting into a zone defense that slowed the tempo and disrupted Milano’s rhythm. Bologna capitalized with long-range shooting and penetration, narrowing the gap before halftime to 47-41.
Virtus Bologna’s Third-Quarter Surge
The momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter as Bologna erased Milano’s cushion. A sequence featuring a three-pointer and a steal by Marko Guduric temporarily pushed Milano’s lead back to nine points. Despite a debut showing from Garrison Mathews, who hit his second three-pointer to keep Bologna at bay, Virtus answered with consecutive triples and a three-point play. Those late conversions pushed Bologna ahead 67-66 heading into the final frame, setting up a tense period of lead changes.
Devon Hall Secures the Victory in the Final Seconds
The fourth quarter became a back-and-forth battle featuring perimeter scoring from Leandro Bolmaro, alongside defensive stops from both sides. With the score tied and four seconds remaining on the game clock, Olimpia coach Poeta used a timeout to advance the ball. Milano delivered the possession to Hall, who was running hot in the period. Hall rose over the outstretched arms of Aliou Diarra, who holds a 12-centimeter height advantage, and knocked down a mid-range jumper to seal the 87-85 win without leaving time for a Bologna response.
Match Statistics and Upcoming Schedule
Hall finished the contest with 10 points, all of which came during his fourth-quarter scoring run after shooting only two free throws through the first three periods. Milano placed five players in double figures, while debutant Jason Burnell pulled down 10 rebounds. Olimpia Milano returns to action on Friday, October 2, facing Baskonia at the Fernando Buesa Arena in Vitoria before returning to league play on Monday, October 5, against Verona.