Virtus defeated Anadolu Efes in the first game played at the Segafredo Arena by 93-81 in the sixth round of the EuroLeague.
Shane Larkin opened the game with a three-pointer, and Rodrigue Beaubois did the same. October’s MVP, Tornike Shengelia, then scored with a foul. He missed the free throw, but Virtus benefited as Marco Belinelli made a three-pointer. Where the first was, the second followed, and Bryant Dunston dominated on the offensive boards. It was a tough game with many fouls and interruptions. Beaubois was particularly inspired as he hit another three-pointer. After the first ten minutes, the score was 20-18 in favor of the home team.
Anadolu Efes started the second quarter well with a 4-0 run. Ognjen Dobric and Jaleen Smith contributed to this, and Beaubois played exceptionally. He made another three-pointer, and the Istanbul team built a lead of nine points. Virtus gained new energy with the entry of Dunston and Shengelia, and the two of them reduced Anadolu Efes’ lead to four points. Larkin then hit a mid-range shot, breaking Bologna’s run, and his teammates continued to extend their lead to nine points. At halftime, the two-time EuroLeague champions led with a score of 45-41.
The second half began with a miraculous buzzer-beater by Derek Willis. Then, Smith and Belinelli responded on the other end. The Italian then made three free throws, bringing the black and white team within two points. They took the lead through Dunston, who was particularly inspired, and Smith. Darius Thompson then made his first three-pointer of the game, followed by another tough period. Jordan Mickey contributed, and Thompson responded in kind. By the end of the third quarter, Virtus held a seven-point lead after Devontae Cacok finished the quarter with a powerful dunk.
Cacok continued his strong performance, and Virtus went up by ten points for the first time, but Zizic dunked twice, reducing the gap to six points. The brilliant Georgian then made two quick baskets. Pajola continued to trouble Larkin and Efes’ guards. The team played selflessly under Luce Banchi’s coaching and continued their excellent performance. They controlled the tempo and rebounds throughout and deservedly secured their fifth consecutive victory with a score of 93:81.
The standout player for the multiple European champions was Shengelia with 19 points, followed closely by Belinelli with 17. It’s worth noting Dunston’s dominant performance. On the other side, Beaubois stood out with 15 points, as did Zizic. In the next round, Virtus will visit Real Madrid, while Anadolu Efes will host Zalgiris.