Virtus dig deep to overcome Neptunas in overtime
BOLOGNA (Basketball Champions League) - Segafredo Virtus Bologna started their first-ever adventure in the Basketball Champions League with a bang, coming from 15 points down to beat Neptunas Klaipeda on Wednesday night.
Needing a block at the end of regulation by Dejan Kravic to force overtime, Virtus then outscored the visitors from Lithuania, 14-9, in the extra period for an 83-78 victory.
Kevin Punter, one of the AEK stars last season that helped the Greek club capture the title, has already proved to be a great signing by Virtus. He poured in a game-high 27 points.
Neptunas appeared to be in control heading into the fourth quarter but Stefano Sacripanti's team went from third gear to overdrive, ignited by the defense of Kelvin Martin. He had 2 steals and a block to go with his 8 points and 9 rebounds.
The Old Empire is BACK ⚪️⚫️ @BasketballCL
— Virtus Segafredo (@Virtusbo) October 10, 2018
La Virtus Segafredo Bologna supera dopo un tempo supplementare il @bc_neptunas. Per i ragazzi di Sacripanti, una partita in salita che culmina però con una vittoria.#BasketballCL pic.twitter.com/6Astuvqifn
No one in the Neptunas team deserved to win more than Jerai Grant, who finished with the game's highest efficiency rating of +29 after a 21-point, 12-rebound, 2-block night.
Grant played more than 30 minutes of incredible basketball but the night belonged to Virtus, a team that is already adding to its famous history in European competition.
