MILAN — Olimpia Milano survived an early scare to open its Lega Basket season, edging Trieste 83-79 to bounce back immediately from its EuroLeague loss to Partizan. Peppe Poeta's team took control in the fourth quarter and held on through a tense finish to secure the narrow victory in its Italian League opener.
Jason Burnell powered the winners with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring Milano at both ends while the game stayed tight for three quarters. Moses Wright added 16 points and seven rebounds inside, and the backcourt pair of Leandro Bolmaro and RJ Cole each scored 11 points to give Milano four players in double figures and enough balance to pull ahead late.
Trieste kept the contest close for most of the night and threatened to steal the opener on the road. Colbey Ross paced the visitors with 17 points and seven assists, dictating tempo and creating late looks, while Langston Galloway contributed 14 points and six rebounds to keep Trieste within striking distance until the final possessions.
The win puts Milano back in the win column after the European setback and sets a positive tone for the domestic campaign. Elsewhere on the opening weekend slate, Treviso routed BC Roma 109-94, Venezia defeated Cantu 85-73 and Trento edged Reggiana 83-78, with Tortona against Verona, Udine against Scafati, Maxima Roma against Napoli and Varese against Virtus Bologna also featured on the schedule.