AX Armani Exchange Milan used a huge fourth-quarter run to protect its home court and defeat Virtus Segafredo Bologna 77-62, getting within one victory away from claiming the Italian League title. Shields paced Milan in victory with 21 points. Devon Hall scored 14, Grant had 11 and Kyle Hines scored 10. Shengelia had 21 for Virtus and Jaiteh collected 12 points and 8 rebounds in a loss.
Virtus had a strong finish to the first quarter, with Milos Teodosic hitting back-to-back threes that helped the visitors open 16-24 lead, but Shavon Shields and Nicolo Melli combined to scored 9 points to open the second quarter before Ben Bentil's basket put Milan in front 27-26. Milan kept control with its defense, remaining in front and holding 40-34 lead at halftime. A triple from Jerian Grant opened an 11-point margin early in the third, but Tornike Shengelia and 7DAYS EuroCup MVP Mam Jaiteh got Virtus going, combining for 17 points as Virtus tied it at 55-55 after 30 minutes, then went in front on the opening possession of the fourth quarter. But Shields scored a three-point play and a triple, fueling an 18-0 run in which he scored 10 points. Milan held Virtus scoreless for almost 7 minutes, securing a victory and a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
