Virtus Bologna protected home court with an 85-80 victory over FC Barcelona in Round 29 of the EuroLeague on Wednesday night at Virtus Arena.
The Italian side improved to 13-16 and kept its play-in hopes alive, while Barcelona fell to 17-12 after surrendering a late lead.
Carsen Edwards led the hosts with 22 points, including a decisive floater and step-back jumper in the final minute that turned a one-point deficit into a five-point cushion.
Alen Smailagic delivered a season-high 19 points and a PIR of 21, converting 5-of-6 from two-point range and adding three rebounds.
Luca Vildoza filled the stat sheet with 10 points, seven assists and five steals, tying a club record for first-half steals with five.
Barcelona started fast behind Kevin Punter, who scored 12 first-quarter points on 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc.
Punter finished with 27 points, while Toko Shengelia added 16 and Nico Laprovittola posted 14 points and a career-high 12 assists.
The turning point came in the second and third quarters, when Virtus shot 19-of-25 on two-pointers and committed just three turnovers.
Over that stretch, the Italian club recorded 14 assists and seven steals, building a 68-57 lead after three periods.
The visitors mounted a late 12-0 run in the fourth quarter, capped by Laprovittola’s floater that gave Barcelona an 80-79 edge inside the final minute.
Smailagic answered with two free throws after drawing contact, and the home side produced consecutive defensive stops before Edwards took control.
Virtus finished the night shooting 68.1 percent inside the arc and dishing 24 assists on 32 made field goals.
Barcelona, despite 21 assists, committed 16 turnovers that translated into extra possessions for the hosts.
The result halted a potential four-game slide for Virtus and tightened the race in the middle of the standings.
Virtus travels to Real Madrid next Thursday, while Barcelona remains in Italy to face EA7 Emporio Armani Milan.
