 In one of the simultaneous opening games of the Torneo Cittá di Roma on Saturday, Union Olimpija overwhelmed Eldo Caserta with a strong defensive performance to win their first Group A game by 84-51. Olimpija had the advantage of a player who has already performed at the Euroleague level, Mirza Sarajlija, leading the way with 18 points, 4 steals and 3 assists - all team-highs - in only 23 minutes of action. Four of his teammates joined Sarajlija by scoring in double figures. Bojan Radulovic chipped in with 13 points, 7 of them in a decisive second quarter surge that turned an even game into a 10-point Olimpija lead. Miha Glavas posted 12 points to go with team-high 5 rebounds. Matic Sirnik added 11 points and Luka Voncina had 10 for the winners. Davide Loncarevic and Gabriele Guastaferro had 12 points apiece for Eldo Caserta. Loncarevic also led his teams in rebounding by grabbing 7 boards. Eldo Caserta started best, and was up 6-11 after consecutive baskets by Nicola D'Angelo, but Sarajlija answered with 5 points and an assist to help Olimpija take over the lead at 13-11. An even first quarter ended 15-16 in Caserta's favor, but Olimpija opened the second quarter with a 15-4 run to earn a 30-20 margin and never looked back, expanding the difference to 21 points by the end of the third quarter and limiting Eldo Caserta to only 4 points in the final 10 minutes. Both teams will face Montepaschi Siena later today.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
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