Virtus sweeps Tortona, now the race starts again

Bologna, February 9, 2025 – A Virtus solid in defense and effective in attack clear in Casale Monferrato, beating Bertram Tortona. Excellent collective test for Dusko Ivanovic's team which finds very positive responses from all its elements, with 5 players in double-digit and the score reads 98 points scored: an excellent viaticum in view of the Italian Cup.

First quarter and a little more balanced, then the Black Vs take control of the comparison and close the challenge even before the break. A partial of 0-15 at the end of the second half in fact definitively changes the inertia of the match for a Virtus that once it reaches a double-digit advantage never lets up get the game out of hand and controls, without too much trouble, a Tortona that is fading away.

Yet the pre-match was not the most positive for Virtus who, in addition to Zizic and Clyburn, also had to give up Matt Morgan unavailable due to a flu attack. Diuof starts well, but the first real breakaway is made by Virtus with triples by Pajola and Belinelli. At 5' the Bianconeri are ahead 8-14. On the other front, however, Gorham hurts Virtus from long distance and Tortona stays in their wake.

Virtus holds always at the head of the match, even if Bertram remains there with Vital protagonist thanks to 11 consecutive points. Belinelli and his teammates raise the tone of the defense stopping the Piedmontese attack, while on the other side of the parquet Tucker and Holiday, very positive debut in the championship, launching Virtus to +18 on 32-50, with a 0-15 as mentioned decisive.

In the second half Tortona initially tries to react, but Virtus always holds the straight bar, maintains the double-digit lead and extends it again, reaching +20 at 46-66 in the 25th minute on Belinelli's basket.

The last quarter is pure formality for a Virtus that runs rampant, reaching its maximum advantage at +33 63-96 at 38'.

Wednesday in Turin is already time for Final Eight of Italian Cup for the black and whites who will face Armani Milano in the quarter-finals.

The little table

BERTRAM TORTONA 66 – VIRTUS BOLOGNA 98

BERTRAM DERTHONA TORTONA: Kuhse 2, Vital 22, Weems 6, Gorham 12, Kamagate 8; Candi, Denegri 2, Baldasso 6, Biligha 3, Severini 3, Zerini 2; Farias ne. Coach De Raffaele.

VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA: Pajola 7, Belinelli 8, Cordinier 11, Shengelia 5, Diouf 8; Hackett 13, Grazulis 12, Polonara 4, Tucker 11, Holiday 14, Akele, Visconti 5. Coach Ivanovic.

Referees: Baldini, Quarta, Galasso. Notes: partial scores 19-20, 38-54, 52-74. Two-pointers: Tortona 15/31; Virtus 21/34. Three-pointers: 9/33; 12/27. Free throws: 9/10; 20/24. Rebounds: 33; 34.