Virtus Bologna continued its winning run with a dramatic 96-94 road victory over Paris Basketball on Wednesday, October 14, surviving a final-possession scare to secure its third consecutive EuroLeague win under head coach Alex Mumbru.
Derrick Alston Jr. led Virtus with 23 points, shooting 5-for-7 from three-point range, while Wendell Moore added 14 points. Aliou Diarra contributed eight points, 11 rebounds and four blocks as the visitors prevailed in a contest featuring 14 lead changes and no shortage of late drama.
Paris had several opportunities to turn the game around, but Virtus held on after a tense final sequence. The hosts dropped to 1-4, while Virtus improved to 3-2 after another narrow victory in a season that has already featured dramatic finishes.
Virtus made the early running, opening with a 7-0 lead behind Momo Diouf, Marcus Carr and Davide Casarin. Paris responded through TJ Warren and Jared Rhoden, whose dunk put the hosts ahead 14-13.
The teams traded baskets throughout the first quarter, which ended tied at 26-26. Virtus gained an advantage in the second period through offensive rebounds and Carr’s playmaking, while Paris struggled to maintain its scoring pace without injured leading scorer Nadir Hifi.
Sebastian Herrera tried to keep the hosts close, but Virtus finished the half strongly. Casarin scored at the buzzer to give the visitors a 46-38 halftime lead.
Paris came out with renewed energy after the break. Tyson Etienne hit consecutive three-pointers to tie the game at 48-48, and the contest became increasingly difficult to separate as both teams exchanged scoring runs.
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Etienne continued his outstanding shooting, connecting on three consecutive triples to help Paris take a 65-64 lead heading into the fourth quarter. He ultimately finished with 23 points, including seven three-pointers, while Warren added 19.
Virtus responded at the start of the final period, with Diarra scoring consecutive dunks and Alston converting a four-point play before adding another three-pointer. Moore then connected from beyond the arc as the visitors moved ahead 80-74.
Paris refused to surrender. Herrera and Daulton Hommes hit three-pointers, and Mouhamed Faye tied the game at 84-84 with less than four minutes remaining.
The teams continued exchanging clutch baskets. Trent Frazier knocked down a crucial three-pointer, while Moore converted a difficult layup and free throw to give Virtus an 89-87 advantage. After Faye tied the score again, Alston buried another three-pointer to put the visitors ahead 92-89.
Etienne answered from the corner, but Frazier responded with a deep triple. Etienne then attacked the basket to bring Paris within one, before Carr made one of two free throws with 25.7 seconds left to give Virtus a 96-94 lead.
Paris had one final chance to force overtime or win the game. Etienne missed a three-point attempt, and Faye collected the offensive rebound, but the hosts could not get another shot away before time expired.
The victory continued Virtus’ strong run after its dramatic Round 3 win over reigning champions Olympiacos Piraeus, which also ended 96-94 thanks to Carr’s buzzer-beater.
Virtus will return home to face Baskonia on Friday, while Paris travels to Belgrade to take on Crvena Zvezda on the same day.
