It wasn't to be. Barça missed out on top spot in the EuroLeague at the Mediolanum Forum. The 75-70 loss was the second in a row in Europe, with AX Armani Exchange Milan controlling the game throughout despite Saras' men fighting back in the fourth quarter.
The Italians set the tone from the off
A tough start. Barça were seven points down after the first quarter and despite shoring up the defence in the second quarter, Olimpia went in 42-34 ahead at the break. Mirotic tried to raise the troops after the restart but a lack of accuracy from Barça led to the home side opening up a 13 point lead, with their defence proving particularly resolute.
Visitors react but comeback incomplete
A superb purple patch of 0-14 meant everything was to play for in the final quarter, with Barça even going 63-65 ahead at one point through an inspired Hayes-Davis, but Olimpia managed to see out the game, scoring freely at the end to win 75-70.
No time to dwell on the loss, though, as Barça travel to Monbus Obradoiro on Sunday 7 November (12.30pm CET) for a Liga Endesa game where they will want to get back on the winning trail.
GAME STATS
AX Armani Exchange Milan, 75
Barça, 70
AX Armani Exchange Milan: Melli (5), Hall (16), Shields (11), Hines (5) and Datome (17) - starters - Grant (-), Sergio Rodríguez (6), Tarczewski (2), Ricci (-), Mitoglou (11) and Daniels (2)
Barça: Calathes (9), Higgins (5), Hayes-Davis (10), Mirotic (10) and Sanli (4) - starters - Davies (12), Sergi Martínez (-), Smits (2), Oriola (4), Laprovittola (-), Kuric (9) and Jokubaitis (5)
Quarter scores: 28-21; 14-13 // 19-15; 14-21
Referees: Ilija Belosevic, Milan Nedovic and Tomasz Trawicki
