Another exciting sprint: a consistent Derthona beats Brindisi
Bertram Derthona-Happy Casa Brindisi 81-77
(22-17, 39-39, 64-52)
Scoreboards:
Derthona: Christon 19, Mortellaro ne, Candi, Tavernelli 1, Nikolic, Filloy 9, Severini 9, Harper 23, Cain 4, Radošević 2, Macura 14, Filoni ne. All. Ramondino
Brindisi: Burnell 7, Reed 10, Bowman 11, Harrison 9, Buttiglione ne, Lamb 4, Mascolo 7, Bocevski ne, Mezzanotte 8, Riismaa 3, Bayehe 4, Perkins 14. Coach Vitucci
The match staged at PalaEnergica between Bertram Derthona and Happy Casa Brindisi was a game with many nuances. After the exciting - and emotional - tribute to Bruno Mascolo, the two teams compete by putting their best qualities on the pitch, alternating partials and against partials. In the second half, Bertram placed a break that seemed to direct the match, but Happy Casa returned to within just one possession. The final sprint rewards the Lions, led by the best Harper of the season in terms of scoring (23 points).
Balanced start to the race in Casale; Bertram then takes control of the score in the second half of the half led by the plays of Severini and Christon. At the first break the score is 22-17. In the second quarter, Happy Casa finds individual plays and extra possessions that allow them to overtake, before baskets from Christon and Cain impact the game at 39 at halftime.
Upon returning from the locker room, an offensive gust from Harper pushes the team coached by Ramondino forward again (54-46). Brindisi tries to stay in touch, but a new 5-0 break by Christon is worth the maximum gap (64-52) in the 30th minute. In the final half, Happy Casa – especially thanks to Bowman – closed the gap, returning several times to just two possessions behind. After the new acceleration by Christon-Macura (77-67), Reed and Mascolo produce a counter break of 0-6 which is worth 77-73 in the 38th minute. After some errors by the guests, Harper scores a basket of great importance entering the last minute, but Perkins and Reed bring Brindisi within 2 (79-77) with 22 seconds to go. On Brindisi's last attack, Cain blocks Bowman, Harper remains icy on the line and Bertram triumphs 81-77.
Thus coach Marco Ramondino at the end of the game: “It's a very important victory against a team that played a very high level match. I think we grew over the course of the match, sailing against the different quintets proposed by Brindisi. We are certainly not at our best moment in terms of continuity and brilliance against one of the most physical, athletic and healthy teams in the championship. At this time of the year the objectives of the individual teams are being defined and are clearer, the challenges have a different weight compared to a month ago and by will and necessity it is necessary to go beyond the technical-tactical aspect, playing hard. Harper, on an individual level, grew like the team: in the second half, having a second setter and game creator who took responsibility together with Christon showed what advantages we can have. In fact, in the second half we played an excellent game, apart from a few mistakes that Brindisi did well to punish. Many players played above standard tonight, This is also why we are happy".
