ITA – Benetton get the taste of victory before Gottingen showdown

TREVISO (Lega A) - Benetton Treviso warmed up for their crunch Eurocup clash this week with a 79-71 home triumph over Virtus Bologna to move into the play-off places in Italy.

Jasmin Repesa's team now occupy the eighth and last post-season spot in Lega A after getting 22 points apiece from young Lithuanian Donatas Motiejunas and Devin Smith.

The first leg of Benetton's Eurocup tie with BG Gottingen ended 66-66 last week.

Those two sides will square off at the Palaverde on Wednesday with the winner to advance to the Eurocup Finals in Treviso April 16-17.

"It was an important game, we had to win at all costs, and we did, this is what matters," Benetton boss Repesa said.

"Let's take this success and use it to prepare to have a big game Wednesday against Gottingen, which I think is the game of year.

“To get to the Final Four would be a great satisfaction for the fans, to the city and for us."

Benetton improved to 11-12 while fourth-place Virtus fell to 12-11.

Air Avellino could have leapfrogged Virtus into fourth place but fell 99-97 at second-bottom Banca Tercas Teramo (7-16).

Drake Diener poured in 29 points and Josh Davis 18 for Teramo.

Enel Brindisi returned to last place after getting blown out at Fabi Shoes Montegranaro, 96-54.

Bennet Cantu are 17-6 and in second place following a 76-74 triumph at Dinamo Sassari.

Maarten Leunen hit one of two free-throws to knot the contest at 74-74 and after a miss by James White for Dinamo, a Leunen basket put the visitors in front.

White a chance to win the game at the end but missed a three-pointer for Dinamo.

Nicolas Mazzarino led five Bennet players in double figures with 17 points.

Pepsi Caserta, who are also warming up for their Eurocup second quarter-final second leg at UNICS Kazan, prevailed 95-79 against Vanoli-Braga Cremona.

Caserta travelled to Russia last week and lost 90-84.

Cimberio Varese edged Lottomatica Roma, who mounted a brave comeback attempt but fell 84-78.

The Romans trailed by 16 points in the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to one on a three-ball by Nemanja Gordic but the hosts held on for the success.

They improved to 11-12 and are

Varese are seventh in the standings at 11-12 while Roma are 10-13.

Montepaschi Siena, who host Olympiacos in Games 3 and 4 in their Turkish Airlines Euroleague quarter-final tie this week, had their game against third-place Armani Jeans Milano postponed until April 14.

FIBA