Olimpia used 25 assists and 13 threes to defeat Cantù101-71

The first Olimpia’s outing in six months was a remarkable one. Facing Cantù in its first official game, Milan won 101-71 convincingly after a 13-three shooting night (at one point, the team was 10 for 15 from three-point land) and especially a great assist-turnover ratio. 25 assists included 10 by Sergio Rodriguez, who started fueling Kaleb Tarczewski’s rolling and finished with a sequence of kick-outs for three consecutive threes that basically closed the game out in the third period. Olimpia took great care of the ball, turning it over just five times, while many different players played a part in the win. Rookie Davide Moretti started with a 8-point first quarter, just after Kevin Punter committed his second foul, signing off the first attempt of getting away. Then in spurts everybody contributed. Kevin Punter led all the scorers with 17 points, Gigi Datome was locked in from the arc making four of his five threes, Kyle Hines scored 14 points and had a huge impact under the offensive board. Olimpia went 13 for 24 from three overall and was never threatened. “I think we played physically in a very aggressive way, we moved the ball, and played a good game against a well-organized team – Coach Ettore Messina said at the end – We knew we were the better team, but on the court you have to be able to translate that presumed strenght, and we did. 25 assists are a verhy good way to start, and so was the opportunity to share the minutes among all the players.” Coach Messina used 11 players in the first half and completed his rotation early in the fourth when Paul Biligha took the baton at the 5-spot and responded with a seven-point period, including a couple of mid-ranger jumpers.