Lighthouse Trapani 84 Orsi Tortona 76
Tortona is beaten by Trapani and returns defeated by Sicily. The team was penalized by reduced rotations (Bianchi out at the last minute) and by major foul problems, but they saved the difference in goals. Coach Cavina starts with Spissu, Marks, Reati, Brooks, Iannilli while Trapani responds with Mays, Tommasini, Ganeto, Griffin and Renzi. Derthona starts with the right face in defense and immediately finds the first advantage with two triples from Reati and Spissu so much so that at 12-4 on the outside coach Ducarello spends his first timeout. Trapani struggles in attack and finds points from Renzi, while Tortona is decidedly more fluid and already has six players with points on the scoresheet. The first quarter ends at 15-20 with 7 points from Reati on one side and 9 from Renzi on the other.
Marks immediately clears his second foul and returns to the bench replaced by captain Simoncelli upon his return to the pitch. The external advantage is still 5 points with low percentages on both sides and with Tortona relying on the area also due to foul problems (already 2 for Reati and Marks). Two free throws from Griffin mend the gap and at 3' of the second quarter the score was 21-24. Griffin goes to the line again (second foul for Garri too), but doesn't take advantage of it, scoring only a free throw. An unsportsmanlike foul for Brooks arrives which allows Trapani to travel to the line again, reaching parity. The home team struggled to score but dominated offensive rebounding, Garri committed his third foul and Griffin scored two more free throws for the internal advantage. The former Viglianisi scores from below and Reati responds immediately from the other side. Tortona's attack is in difficulty, coach Cavina calls timeout after yet another loss. Trapani tries to extend but Iannilli scores from 2 and immediately after Marks recovers a ball after being fouled. 2/2 and the scoreboard says 31-30 less than 3 minutes before half time. Reati misses a fairly open triple and immediately afterwards commits his third foul (MArks is also in his third). Cavina gives space to Maghet and Antonietti, Trapani doesn't take advantage and Iannilli brings his players back underneath him. At the long interval 35-34 for the Sicilians. 9 points for Griffin and Renzi (forgotten on the bench for the entire second quarter) on one side, 9 for Reati and 8 for Brooks on the other. Over 70% from two and less than 15% from three for both teams.
Spissu finds parity at the start of the third quarter, but 7 consecutive points from Mays immediately arrive to push the guests back, to which is added a breakthrough on the counterattack from Brooks. The Sardinian point guard puts the team on his shoulders with another triple and a free throw caused by a coach on the Trapani bench (two free throws also for Brooks). 46-43 about 6′ from the last break. Mays still scores the plus 5 and Cavina wants to talk about it. Brooks commits another foul in attack and Trapani runs away: 52 to 43. Fourth foul also for Garri, Renzi makes 2/2 from the line for an open partial of 10 to 0 which becomes 14 to 0 with the support of Ganeto and the free throws of Mays. Iannilli blocks the run with a jumper from the line but Trapani seems in control also thanks to Tortona's foul problems. Spissu scores after a recovery and the final says 58 to 48 for the home team. 15 Mays, 13 Renzi and 12 Griffin on one side, 12 Spissu and 10 Brooks on the other.
Marks and Reati hit two triples that reopen the game at the start of the fourth quarter even if Trapani seems in control. Tortona has very limited rotations and five players with 4 fouls, but throws their heart over the obstacle and two points from Brooks on an offensive rebound close the gap. 64 to 62 with 6 minutes left with two free throws from Brooks. The hosts lose ball after ball in attack which allows the guests to stay in the game even if Brooks' fifth foul arrives which gives Trapani the +5. Two triples from Tommasini and a free throw from Mays bring the locals back to plus 10. Reati, Iannilli and Spissu bring the gap back to just one possession, but it's not enough. Trapani wins 84 to 76.
TRAPANI 84
DERTHONA 76
Trapani: Mays 22, Renzi 20, Tommasini 12, Ganeto 6, Griffin 12, Chessa 5, Viglianisi 5, Filloy 2.
Tortona: Spissu 18, Iannilli 11, Reati 20, Marks 7, Brooks 14, Simoncelli 2, Garri 4.
