ITA – Peterson’s Armani Jeans fall at Benetton; Roma, Mens Sana hit back

TREVISO (Lega A) - It took several opponents but Armani Jeans Milano coach Dan Peterson finally met his match in the Lega A and tasted defeat for the first time since returning to the sidelines.

The 75-year-old, appointed boss of the Milan outfit earlier this month, had led his team to four straight victories but Armani Jeans collapsed in the fourth quarter at Benetton Treviso on Saturday night and lost 76-59.

Emerging Lithuanian star Donatas Montiejunas (pictured) had 18 points and nine rebounds for Jasmin Repesa’s Benetton, who won for just the seventh time in 17 domestic games.

Benetton are 13th in the 16-team league.

"It was essential to take home the victory to re-emerge from a delicate moment," Montiejunas said.

The victory snapped a three-game losing skid in Lega A for Benetton.

"In recent games, we had played well for 20 to 25 minutes at most and then lost concentration,” Benetton's Serbia international guard Stefan Markovic said. “But we were able to play continuously for all 40 minutes (against Milano).

“This is the real secret.

"I think it was a major victory and raises the morale.”

Benetton will now travel to Greece and face Panellinios in the Eurocup on Tuesday night.

Devin Smith of Benetton played for Panellinios last season and helped the club reach the last four.

The 22-year-old was all smiles on Saturday night.

Smith said: "We played with great intensity, were always focused first and especially on defense, and I think this has made the difference beyond the technical aspects.

“We played compact, never divided, throughout the whole game and we took the win home with authority.

"Now we must start from here, knowing that when we stand together, we can do great things."

Lottomatica Roma and Montepaschi Siena bounced back from disappointing Euroleague setbacks and beat Scavolini Pesaro and Fabi Shoes Montegranaro, respectively.

Hammered 99-58 at Maccabi Tel Aviv in midweek, the Romans, led by coach Sasa Filopovski, won at home over Scavolini Pesaro, 85-53.

Nihad Dedovic finished with 23 points for Roma.

Montepaschi had fallen 78-68 at home to Real Madrid but they recorded a 74-70 triumph at Montegranaro to raise their record to 16-1.

Third-place Bennet Cantu (11-5) struggled but also prevailed on the road, 71-68, at Vanoli-Braga Cremona.

Canadian Solar (Virtus) Bologna climbed into fourth with a 93-72 blowout over visitors Enel Brindisi, the team in the Lega A basement with a 5-12 record.

Taquan Dean poured in 26 points and Omar Abdul Thomas had 23 along with 16 rebounds for fifth-place Air Avellino, who held on for an 85-83 win at Cimberio Varese.

Virtus Bologna, Air Avellino and Fabi Shoes have 9-8 records while Scavolini, Pepsi Caserta and Roma are all 8-9.

Dinamo Sassari, who clinched a 94-90 victory at Caserta, are 7-10 along with Angelico Biella, Varese and Benetton.

Biella lost 87-83 at Banca Tercas Teramo, who improved to 5-12 and moved one place off the bottom of the standings.

FIBA