Khmiki started strong winning the opening tip and scoring on its first possession through Wilkinson. Garbajosa showed he sill felt at home in Treviso with a three on the next trip downcourt and soon a Kelly McCarty basket and a Wilkinson layup completed a 0-9 start before Neal finally got the hosts on the scoreboard. Neal added another layup as Khumki cooled down and the game pace quieted. Garbajosa hit from downtown again, but back-to-back threes from Judson Wallace and Neal narrowed the gap and Rancik soon added a basket to complete a 10-2 run that tied the game at 16-16. After McCarty made a free throw, Neal gave Benetton its first lead to end the period at 18-17. Khimki surged back ahead as Delfino and Lampe combined for 8 unanswered points early in the second period. Neal helped jumpstart the Treviso attack and Dixon hit a three and scored in transition as the hosts regained the lead. Rancik and Neal completed a 13-2 charge that gave Benetton a 32-27 lead. An Andrea Renzi triple increased the lead to 7 with a three. Delfino scored from downtown to make it 35-31 by halftime.

Milt Palacio scored hit only basket of the game to cut the gap to 2, but Nicevic and Neal pushed the lead up to 39-33. Lampe scored inside, but Benetton was set to take over. Neal scored a three-point play and Dixon added a pair of baskets in a 9-0 run as Benetton made it 48-35. Wallace would soon increase the lead to 16. Wilkinson helped Khimki get back to 11 before a Neal free throw made it 56-44 heading into the fourth quarter. A pair of Vitaly Frizdon free throws brought Khimki within 10 as the last period got underway. But a Dashaun Wood triple kept Benetton in control. Wilkinson scored twice, however a Domen Lorbek three made it 64-50. Lorbek would add 3 more free throws and Nicevic scored twice as the lead reached 71-54, allowing the home fans to celebrate a big win before the final buzzer.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Eurocupbasketball.com