Lottomatica Roma coach Piero Bucchi praised the bravery of Marko Tusek after a coin thrown from the crowd hit the Slovenian power forward in the head in their victory at Euro Roseto.

The 28-year-old stayed in the game and didn’t receive medical attention until half-time after being hit in his right temple near the end of the second quarter.

“Tusek should be praised, instead of making a scene he remained on court,” Bucchi said. “He has given a test of sportsmanship by continuing to play after that episode.”

Tusek was feeling unwell, however, and had to leave the game at the start of the third quarter.

“As soon as I was hit my vision got blurred and I was forced to leave the court at the start of the second half because it continued to affect me,” said Tusek, who will have further medical tests on Monday.

Roma won the game 83-70 for their 10th triumph of the season.

The club is now seventh in the Lega A standings.

“I’m very happy that my team has won. These episodes do more damage to the sport than to the injured party,” he said.