🏀Basketball Brandon Davies stars as Milan gets things done in Bologna

[James]

Supporting a double-digit edge most of the 40 minutes, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan was the sweepstakes winner in Round 13 of Italy’s LBA Serie A Regular Season.

A perfect visit to Virtus Segafredo Arena, the team guided by Ettore Messina overpowered Virtus Segafredo Bologna, 96-74, to open the 2023 calendar year Monday evening.

Both sides heavily relied on the action inside the paint, BYU product Brandon Davies dropped 23 points in 28 minutes and was the difference-maker, besides tying his best scoring effort since moving his talents to Milan. Billy Baron paired his 17 points with seven assists and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot added 17 more points. On the opposite end, experienced Milos Teodosic got a team-high 17 points but to no avail.

Injured Kevin Pangos (knee) and Shavon Shields (foot), and Luigi Datome (illness) all remained on the sidelines. DeShaun Thomas and Johannes Voigtmann were additionally scratched by the Milan outfit. The home side ruled out Gabriel Iffe Lundberg, Isaia Cordinier, Ismael Bako, Awudu Abass, and Leo Menalo.


Both teams now sit at 11-2, tied on top of the standings in Italy’s top-flight division.

Apart from the leaders colliding in Bologna, Semaj Christon making a free throw with 0.4 seconds on the clock lifted Bertram Yachts Derthona Tortona to a key away win, 89-88, over Openjobmetis Varese. Former Pepperdine standout Colbey Ross set his professional career high at 35 points but was not enough for the hosts.