Metropolitans use strong second half to beat Trento

Boulogne Metropolitans 92 used a big second half to put away Dolomiti Energia Trento 93-80 on Tuesday night in 7DAYS EuroCup in Group A. The hosts gave up just 13 points in the third quarter and then scored 29 points in the final frame to improve to 2-2. Will Cummings paced six Metropolitans players in double figures with 17 points while Vince Hunter had a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds, Jordan McRae scored 14 points, Tomer Giant and David Michineau both tallied 11 points and Keith Hornsby chipped in 10 points. Trento remained winless at 0-4 despite Cameron Reynolds scoring 18 points, Johnathan Williams adding 16 and Jordan Caroline 13 points.

Williams opened the game with a dunk for the visitors and it was 0-4 when Cummings converted a three-point play for Metropolitans’ first points after nearly 3 minutes. McRae gave the hosts their first lead and Hunter picked up two put-backs to spark a 14-4 run to open a 19-10 lead. Reynolds made a three-pointer at the other end as Trento pulled within 21-17 only to see the hosts take a 26-20 cushion after 10 minutes.

Trento had the better start to the second quarter with and-ones for Wesley Saunders and Reynolds and a Desonta Bradford three-pointer in a 2-11 spurt for a 28-31 lead. Metropolitans followed with the next 6 points to move up 34-31. The first half finished five straight lead changes and Trento led 41-42 at halftime.

Caroline’s basket opened the second half for Trento and Reynolds’s three-point play made it 44-47. Hunter scored 4 points in a 6-0 spurt and McRae had a pair of three-pointers and a dunk in a 12-4 finish to the third quarter for a 64-55 cushion after 30 minutes.

Ginat’s free throw to start the fourth quarter increased the lead to double figures at 65-55. Four quick points from Saunders had Trento within 66-61. Michineau answered with a triple and three-point play to push the advantage to 79-68. Trento had one more surge with triples from Reynolds and Williams to cut the deficit to 81-75. Metropolitans delivered the knockout punch with the next 5 points to lead 86-75 with 69 seconds left and decide the game.

Pivotal performer: Cummings has his way

Will Cummings was the engine for Metropolitans. Not only did he lead the team in scoring with 17 points - hitting 6 of 13 from the field and 5 of 7 from the foul line, but he also dished out 8 assists. On top of that, the former EuroCup champion grabbed 1 rebound, swiped 2 steals and also drew 6 fouls, resulting in a performance index rating of 21. He was ranked second in the EuroCup in scoring coming into the game at 22.3 points per game, but Metropolitans fans will not be disappointed about him finishing below that average as the team got the victory.

Trento’s offense finally wakes up

Trento may have lost the game, but Coach Emanuele Molin probably is pleased with his team's offensive output. The team scored 80 points while shooting 51.1% on two-pointers and 31.8% on three-pointers and dishing out 15 assists. All four of those numbers were up from their averages coming into the game: 63.3ppg, 44.9% on two-pointers; 24.3% on 3-pointers and 11.0 apg. All of those ranked last in the EuroCup, so the loss is a disappointment, but it’s also a step in the right direction.

Telling numbers: Seven score at least 9 for Metropolitans

Metropolitans nailed 53.8% of its three-pointers and also converted 18 of 25 free throws compared to just 11 of 16 from the foul line and just 31.8% on three-pointers for Trento. The hosts also really took care of the ball, committing only 8 turnovers. Metropolitans did a good job playing as a team, dishing out 23 assists. Will Cummings was the main assist man, but six other Metropolitans players had at least 1 assist; and nine of the 10 players who played scored - seven of them at least 9 points.