Derthona plays a marvelous Game 4: Venice defeated 89-71 and 2-2 in the series!
Bertram Derthona Tortona – Umana Reyer Venice 89-71
(23-17, 38-33, 63-48)
Tortona: Vital 8, Hubb 9, Gorham 6, Manjon 12, Pecchia 2, Chapman 2, Tandia 2, Baldasso 14, Strautins 14, Olejniczak 8, Biligha 9, Riismaa 3. All. Fioretti.
Venice: Tessitori 9, Cole 11, Horton 5, Lever, De Nicolao, Candi 8, Bowman 6, Wheatle 3, Nikolic 4, Parks 9, Witljer 5, Valentine 11. All. Spahija.
Referees: Lo Guzzo of Pisa, Sahin of Messina, Quarta of Turin.
After regaining victory in Game 3, Bertram Derthona Tortona played a wonderful Game 4 on both ends of the court to tie the Quarterfinal series at 2-2, forcing Game 5. The Lions defeated Umana Reyer Venezia 89-71 and gave themselves another forty minutes to play in the semifinal.
Derthona's extraordinary long-range scoring performance was decisive, finishing 13-of-25 (52.0%) from beyond the arc. All three found the net for Mario Fioretti's team, led by 14 points each from Arturs Strautins and Tommaso Baldasso.
A spectacular second half for Bertram in Race 4
Absent for much of Game 3, Dominik Olejniczak started with the right spirit, scoring four straight points, followed by a one-handed dunk from Arturs Strautins. With three minutes left in the first quarter, Captain Baldasso forced Neven Spahija to call a timeout, pushing Bertram to a 16-10 lead. Reyer attempted to close the gap, but Prentiss Hubb closed the first quarter with a 23-17 lead with a bomb from the point.
The Orogranata's defensive intensity increased at the start of the second quarter, and the visitors closed the gap to 1 (26-25) in just under three minutes of play. Derthona, however, didn't give up and took the lead back to 31-25 with a three-pointer from Ezra Manjon. Christian Vital joined the celebration from the perimeter with 3:55 left to give the Bianconeri a 7-point lead (36-29). After two minutes, the game went to the locker rooms with Bertram leading 38-33.
The second half began with Ezra Manjon scoring seven points in a matter of minutes, first from the perimeter and then in traffic. Venice remained in contention, closing the gap on a single possession (43-40) without making a significant impact. With 3:50 left, Vital forced the opposition to call a timeout (51-44) after one of his signature long-range bombs.
Derthona didn't give up and reached a 13-point lead (60-47) after a Strautins triple ignited the Nova Arena. Another shot from beyond the arc by Captain Baldasso closed the third quarter, with Bertram reaching a 15-point lead (63-48) entering the final ten minutes of Game 4.
The Bianconeri's run extends to 24-1 at the start of the fourth quarter after two three-pointers each from Hubb and Baldasso for a 29-point lead (77-48). Bertram's fourth quarter is the perfect summary of a match played to the brink of perfection, both offensively and defensively. The series now returns to the Palasport Taliercio in Venice, where Game 5 will be played on Tuesday, May 26th at 20:00 PM for a spot in the semifinals.
PHOTO CREDIT: Ciamillo-Castoria
