Montepaschi Cedes to Milano. Now the Playoffs

MONTEPASCHI SIENA-EA7 EMPORIO ARMANI MILANO 74-85 (24-18; 37-44; 59-66)

MONTEPASCHI SIENA: Viggiano 5, Hunter 6, Cournooh 14, Haynes 13, Carter 8, Janning 11, Ress 9, Lofberg ne, Ortner 2, Nelson 6, Udom ne, Cometti ne. Cch. Crespi

EA7 EMPORIO ARMANI MILANO: Gentile 19, Cerella 5, Melli 6, Hackett 2, Kangur, Langford 10, Samuels 23, Restelli ne, Lawal 1, Moss 4, Jerrells 15. Cch. Banchi

Montepaschi end the regular season by ceding to Olimpia Milano 74-85. The green-and-whites’ next match is the playoffs against Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia next Tuesday

Siena starts off well with an 8-2 run. Milano narrows the gap through Moss and Samuels, but Siena keeps control and leads 12-8 at mid quarter. Haynes adds points for Siena to stay ahead. First quarter ends 24-18.

Milano trails by 1 at the start of the second quarter (24-23), but Siena makes a 6-0 run. Olimpia Cerella from the arc ties it for Olimpia (29-29 at 5’23”) then Langford puts his team on top. The red-and-whites end the second quarter up 37-44.

Carter’s triple kicks off the third quarter, but Gentile responds immediately. The green-and-whites keep breathing down their opponents’ neck, but the away team is up by 10 after 4′ (43-53). Haynes adds two important baskets to narrow the gap. Milano responds through Gentile. It’s Ortner for Siena, then Jerrells ande Samuels (49-61 at 3’20”). The green-and-whites fight for every ball but still trail. The distance shorten with a triple from Ress that ends the quarter 59-66.

Siena won’t give in and comes withing 4 with a triple from the captain at the start of the final quarter. Milano increases their lead, but Montepaschi stays in the game. They try through to the end, but the game goes to the away team, who wins at PalaEstra 74-85.