Virtus Bologna extended its winning streak to four games with an 86-78 victory over Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz on Friday, October 16, overcoming a late comeback attempt at the Paladozza. Marcus Carr led the hosts with 20 points as Virtus improved to 4-2 in the EuroLeague regular season.
Virtus started aggressively, racing to a 12-0 lead and finishing the first quarter ahead 24-12. The Italian side maintained control through the second and third quarters, taking a 68-53 advantage into the final period after holding Baskonia to 19 points in the third.
Carr was the leading scorer, finishing with 20 points, three assists and two steals. He shot 8-of-10 from the free-throw line and recorded a performance index rating of 18. Aliou Diarra added 16 points on 7-of-9 two-point shooting, while Wendell Moore contributed 12 points.
Baskonia, playing its first game under returning head coach Velimir Perasovic after Paolo Galbiati’s departure, refused to go quietly. The visitors erased a 17-point deficit and moved in front with two minutes remaining, putting Virtus at risk of surrendering its advantage.
However, Baskonia could not complete the comeback. Turnovers disrupted the visitors’ late push, while Virtus produced crucial baskets from long range to regain control and close out the eight-point win.
Baskonia finished with 19 turnovers, compared with 18 for Virtus. The visitors shot 10-of-33 from three-point range, while Virtus made six of its 17 attempts from beyond the arc. Both teams collected 40 rebounds.
Perasovic identified concentration and turnovers as key issues for Baskonia after his return to the bench. The defeat left the Spanish club with a 1-5 record.
Virtus will travel to face Hapoel Tel Aviv on Wednesday, while Baskonia will host Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens next Thursday.
