Luis Scola notches double-double in Serie A opener
Luis Scola and Varese opened the 2020-21 Italian Serie A campaign with a 94-89 overtime victory over Brescia on Sunday.
In his Varese debut, the 40-year-old Argentina national team captain finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds with two steals in 32 minutes. He was 7-for-11 at the free-throw line and made 8 of 17 shots from the field.
Niccolo De Vico contributed 14 points and six rebounds, while former NBA shooting guard Toney Douglas had 11 points, five boards and six assists for Varese. Michele Ruzzier chipped in with 13 points and five assists for the victors, and Arturs Strautins added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
For Brescia, Drew Crawford had a team-high 19 points and T.J. Cline poured in 16. Kenny Cherry scored 12 and Tyler Kalinoski contributed 10 at Enerxenia Arena in Varese.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Varese head coach Massimo Bulleri said: “I am very happy, especially for the second half. In the first half we started a little weak, but the reaction of the guys in the second half was the best aspect of the game.”
Luis Scola, new teammates step up in OT
Douglas sank a pair of 3-pointers in overtime to give Luis Scola’s new team a big boost.
What’s more, Scola’s steady performance was one of the game’s defining traits.
Slow start for Varese
The visitors built a 44-33 lead by halftime, but Varese rallied in the second half, and it was knotted up at 59-all at the end of the third quarter. And it the fourth quarter proved to be a tight duel for both squads before Varese settled matters in overtime.
The new Italian Serie A season tipped off with teams playing behind close doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scola on the move
After a distinguished decade with Saski Basconia in Spain, Luis Scola played in the NBA from 2007-17 for the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, and Brooklyn Nets. After two seasons in China, he suited up for Olimpia Milano last season before moving on to Varese. He made the 2007-08 NBA All-Rookie Team.