The game seemed to be in overtime since the moment PAF Bologna came back strong in the second quarter with some brilliant three-point shooting. And it came at the right time. Zadar was leading by 10 points, with a strong Davor Pejcinovic scoring 14 points in the first 12 minutes. With a field goal and a free throw (Pejcinovic), Zadar was up 28-18, but then the lights went on for the Bologna players. PAF scored 5 three-pointers in a row, Basile 3, Galanda and Ruggerie one each, and even though Andrea Maneghin did not score in the first half, PAF was close, with Zadar up by only one point. The second half was much more even, though Bologna always looked a bit stronger. They took a 7 point lead in the beginning of the last quarter, 64-57, but Ivica Maric took over, and broke the game wide open. Zadar came back, Maric scored 5 points and 47 seconds before the end Zadar looked like the best bet. Gregor Fucka missed a two point shot and committed a foul on Jure Ruzic who mad one shot and Zadar was up 73-70. But that was not enough, as the American player Autry made a quick three point shot and another Zadar turnover led to a Basile fast break and a score of 73-75 for PAF with 24 seconds remaining. Maric tied with 8 seconds left and Autry missed a two-pointer at the buzzer. The overtime was always dominated by PAF. Galanda made a three point shot (78-80) and a 2+1 for 78-83. From then on, Zadar was always playing a catch up game, and even though Fucka missed two free throws when PAF was leading by 6 points, there was no way back for Zadar. Jure Ruzic hit a three point shot (87-89), and Pilutti made two free throws only half a a second before the buzzer.
Thursday, October 26, 2000
Euroleague.net
|