Tortona Siena 85-65: the news
VOGHERA. Tortona concedes only 27 points to Siena in the second half and deservedly beats Mens Sana 85-65. At the building in via Martiri della Libertà there are also about ten Sienese fans displaying a banner: "Mens Sana must live" referring to the difficult moment that the current club is experiencing. After six consecutive victories Siena lost at home to Omegna in the last round, Derthona comes from victories against Barcelona and Latina. Iannilli is back available for the Lions after the microfracture of his ankle which kept him out for several days. Cavina starts with Brooks, Garri, Spissu, Marks and Reati. Ramagli chooses Bryant, Diliegro, Roberts, Ranuzzi and Cucci. Brooks immediately lights up an already hot arena with a three-pointer followed by a post move from Garri. Siena replies with Bryant and Rannuzzi. The pace is high and both teams defend strong. Tortona has good offensive timing and another bomb from Brooks makes it 10-6. The match however remains point to point, from long range Roberts brings the guests back one possession (16-14). Garri's second foul calls Bianchi onto the field and the quintet becomes small. The first quarter ends 19-16 for the Lions with Brooks in double figures. The second period starts and Udom brings the match back to a draw (21-21) with Iannilli returning to the field. Simoncelli and Marks score in transition from long range: Tortona takes the lead (30-23). The local team maintains high percentages from the arc: Spissu scores 35-27. Udom makes a mini break with two consecutive baskets, Diliegro supports the scoreboard and Mens Sana comes in behind (37-33). But at the end of the second quarter the Lions find another break with Marks who first dunks and then supports (44-36). It ends 46-38 with a basket at the buzzer again by the American. In the third quarter the Lions split the game in two. Tortona runs in transition, Spissu scores the sixth assist for Garri and then scores from long range. Reati wins the rebound and then gives the lions the maximum advantage (54-40) and a partial of 8-2. Tortona defends strongly and forces Siena into dirty shots (5 points in the first 5'). But he didn't capitalize on some good places to split the race in two. The +20 (62-42) is the work of Bianchi. The third quarter ends 67-50 (21-12 in the period). At the beginning of the last period Tortona scores little against Siena's zone, but the guests do no better. Bianchi breaks the abstinence with a three, Simoncelli runs on the counterattack and finds Spissu for +21 with 5'42'' left (74-53). The Lions manage, Siena will never actually get close to the Piedmontese. Ramagli empties the bench in the last 2', Tortona wins 85-65 conceding only 27 points in the second half.
TABLE
TORTONA 85
SIENA 65
DERTHONA BEARS: Spissu 11, Gay, Reati 11, Bianchi 11, Marks 19, Simoncelli 2, Garri 17, Antonietti, Iannilli, Brooks 14. Coach Cavina
MENS SANA SIENA: Diliegro 14, MAsciarelli, Borsato 2, Ranuzzi 12, Marini, Bucarelli 1, Udom 8, Roberts 11, Bryant 15, Cucci 2. Coach Ramagli
REFEREE: Capotorto, Gagliardi and Sansone
NOTE. First half: 46-38. Partials: 19-16, 27-22, 21-12, 18-15.
