Ferentino-Derthona 77-76: the news
FERENTINO. Down for three periods, Tortona makes a great comeback in the final period (22-11 partial), but it's not enough to avoid defeat (77-76). In the tense final Marks responded from long range to Raymond, but the Lions' last shot did not go in. Without Iannilli (on the bench for the honor of signing) and Bianchi, Derthona faces Ferentino fresh from four victories, three in the last week. Cavina chooses Spissu, Simoncelli, Reati, Marks and Brooks as a quintet. On the opposite side, Ansaloni starts with Imbrò, Raymond, Bowers, Raspino and Gigli. Ferentino's game plan is to put the ball in the post and Gigli (10 points in the first quarter) scores the first basket with his back to the basket. Spissu from the long reply immediately. Ferentino again puts the ball in the painted area with Gigli and Raymond. Embrò from the three point line at 7'32'' gives the first mini break 9-3. Cavina removes Reati for Garri and raises the quintet. A counterattack closed by Marks and a steal by Spissu bring Derthona back down by a basket (11-9). Tortona passes to the zone and manages to take away continuity from Ferentino. Three counterattacks come from good defenses: at 3'12'' the score is tied (15-15), but a bomb from Carnovali gives the locals a minibreak. The first quarter ends 24-19 for Ferentino.
The second period begins and Cavina chooses the small quintet, while Ansaloni inserts Bulleri and Carnovali who immediately scores in penetration. We go the other way and Marks finds Brooks' cut (26-21). Benevelli finds himself in the low post against Spissu: basket and foul which bring the advantage to double figures for the locals (31-21). Bulleri scores with penetration, Marks puts it from long range and then with penetration. In the middle of the quarter Derthona is down by 8 points. Cavina uses the bench by inserting Antonietti: Tortona is down by 7 points (39-32). Six seconds before halftime, Bowers brought the lead back to double digits with a shot, but Brooks finished the first half 45-37 with a dunk.
We return to the field and Marks scores immediately, but from long range Raymond doesn't forgive. Cut by Simoncelli and transition closed by Garri bring Derthona down by 5 points (48-43). But Ferentino extends further: Raymond from the three-point line brings the locals up by 10 points with 5'34'' left in the quarter (53-43). Tortona immediately returns to the race with Marks and Reati. A dubious unsportsmanlike foul is called on Brooks with the Piedmontese having already exhausted the bonus. Bowers scores +12 from the penalty line. Bulleri places the +17 bomb with Derthona who scored 12 points in eight minutes. Five consecutive points from Spissu allow them to close the quarter 12 points down.
The Lions produced their maximum effort in the final period and came back 10 points down with seven minutes remaining. Cavina leaves four little ones on the field (Spissu, Reati, Simoncelli and Marks) with Garri. Tortona has a burst of pride and comes back down by six points with a bomb from Simoncelli (66-60). Imbrò in penetration scores the first two points of the last period for Ferentino with 5'22" left to go. Marks eats up the entire court coast to coast, Simoncelli scores again from three and Derthona is down by just one point (68-67). Two free throws from Raymond and a bomb from Spissu: the comeback is complete. In the libero lottery Imbrò makes 1/2 and Brooks does the same on the opposite side. Raymond scores a free throw and immediately hits a bomb that blows up the stadium. But Marks on the opposite side responds from long range giving Tortona the 76-75. Bowers brings the locals back to +1 with seven seconds left. Tortona finds a good shot at the end again with Marks. Then Garri takes the rebound and is stopped in a dubious but regular way according to the referees. It ends 77-76 for Ferentino.
TABLE
FERENTINO 77
TORTONA 76
FMC FERENTINO: Bulleri 10, Galuppi, Gigli 12, Raspino 2, Benevelli 7, Mazzantini, Imbrò 6, Carnovali 3, Benvenuti, Bowers 12, Raymond 25. Coach Ansaloni
DERTHONA BEARS: Spissu 17, Reati 4, Marks 21, Simoncelli 11, Garri 7, Antonietti, Brooks 16. All. Cavina
REFEREE: Bogo, Giovannetti, Vita
NOTE. First half: 45-37. Partials: 24-19, 21-18, 21-17, 11-22.
