Dubai Basketball defeated Armani Olimpia Milan 101-97 on Thursday, October 15, to complete a perfect double-round week in the EuroLeague. Dwayne Bacon scored a season-high 29 points, shooting 6-of-6 from three-point range, as Dubai improved to 4-2 and handed Milan its fourth consecutive defeat.
Bacon added three rebounds and one assist in 24 minutes at the Unipol Forum. Mfiondu Kabengele contributed 18 points on 7-of-7 two-point shooting, while Jaron Blossomgame scored 14 points as Dubai produced its highest-scoring performance of the season.
Milan fell to 1-5, leaving it 20th in the 20-team standings after six games. The Italian side has lost five of its first six contests, including three consecutive defeats before Thursday’s game.
Milan opened strongly, with Devon Hall and RJ Cole helping the hosts establish an early 10-0 run. Dubai head coach Xavi Pascual responded with a timeout, and his team finished the first quarter with a 22-5 run to take a 29-23 lead.
Bacon scored 14 points in the opening period, making all six of his field-goal attempts, including four three-pointers. His shooting helped Dubai overcome a difficult start and establish control of the game.
Kabengele then took over stretches of the second quarter, scoring 10 points in approximately two minutes. Dubai reached halftime with a 56-49 advantage, scoring 56 points in the opening 20 minutes after entering the game averaging a league-low 77.8 points per contest.
The visitors extended their lead early in the third quarter, opening the period with a 14-4 run to move ahead 70-53. Kabengele finished with 18 points and four rebounds, while Bacon continued to punish Milan from the perimeter.
Dubai shot 12-of-22 from three-point range, an impressive 54.5%, compared with Milan’s 8-of-30 (26.7%). That difference proved decisive in a game ultimately settled by four points.
Milan responded in the fourth quarter, outscoring Dubai 29-18 and reducing the deficit to a single possession. However, Bacon converted crucial free throws late in the game to help the visitors secure the victory and reach 101 points for the first time this season.
Garrison Mathews led Milan with 21 points, while Moses Wright scored 16 and Cole added 14. Alec Peters contributed 12 points and eight rebounds.
Milan shot 23-of-39 on two-point attempts and made 27 of 29 free throws, but its perimeter struggles limited its ability to match Dubai’s scoring output. The hosts also committed 10 turnovers, compared with Dubai’s 12, so the visitors’ advantage came primarily from their superior three-point accuracy.
Dubai will visit Bayern Munich on Thursday, October 22, while Milan hosts Barcelona on the same date.
