Mens Sana Siena – Orsi Derthona 93-78, news and press room by coach Demis Cavina
Mens Sana Siena – Orsi Derthona 93-78
(20-15, 43-31, 67-50)
Siena: Masciarelli 3, Harrell 30, Vildera 5, Ceccarelli, Saccaggi 7, Flamini 3, Bucarelli 2, Pichi 3, Myers 13, Tavernari 27. All.Griccioli
Derthona: Greene IV 21, Cosey 22, Alviti 3, Ricci 10, Sanna 6, Reati 6, Conti 2, Mascherpa, Garri, Cucci 8. All.Cavina
Notes: T2: Si 21/33, De 18/32; T3: Si 10/13, De 9/29; Tl: Yes 21/27, De 15/17.
In the anticipation of the thirteenth first round, prepared in view of the probable call-up of some Mens Sana players to the next Under-18 European Championships scheduled in Turkey from 16 to 22 December, comes the second consecutive stoppage for Derthona. The Bianconeri give way to a livelier and more precise Mens Sana in shooting (10/13 from three points is eloquent), in the always splendid setting of the Palaestra.
Siena did better at the start of the match, with a run of 12-3 in the first five minutes which prematurely led the match. Driven by Harrell's nine points and Myers' rebounding presence, Mens Sana immediately made a break that Derthona was unable to close, despite a good reaction in the second part of the first period. Cucci's entry onto the pitch shakes Orsi who, on baskets by Cosey and Greene IV, bring the score back to 20-15 in the 10th minute. The second quarter brings the second green-and-white wave, and this time the gap between the two teams widens to exceed the double-digit lead. It is still Harrell, with ten points, and the former Tavernari (7), punishing the Juventus defense, for the 33-23 in the 15th minute and the 43-31 at the interval. The Italian-Brazilian seen at Derthona two seasons ago continues his streak from distance also in the third quarter, with three three-point baskets (he will finish with 5/6) which put Mens Sana definitively on the run, at 55-39 on the 25th ' and then at 67-50 at the third siren.
Derthona tries to shake things up several times in the fourth period, stretching the defense across the board to find quick baskets, especially with its Americans, but every attempt is in vain in the face of a Mens Sana team that is decidedly precise in shooting.
Derthona will return to the field as early as Thursday afternoon, to prepare for the match valid for the tenth round of the first leg scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 18.00 pm on the Givova Scafati pitch.
So coach Demis Cavina: “When you play more close games, what often makes the difference is the mental energy that is put on the field by the teams. From this point of view, Siena won today, and it did so with merit. Furthermore, Mens Sana won on a statistical level, systematically punishing what we had prepared from a defensive point of view against the qualities and some weaknesses of our opponents, who came from 27% from 3 points, and today they made 10 triples out of 13 attempts. In the last two games we struggled to express great energy, especially in the first quarters, and despite the nine players being rotated. Siena, and probably us too until this match, is the demonstration that it is not the summer rankings that determine the results, but what is produced on the pitch. So far we have played basketball with great energy, which was lacking this evening."
