Bcc Agropoli 73 Orsi Tortona 74
AGROPOLIS. Despite a superlative Roderick, Tortona conquers Agropoli in an attempt to reach the Final Eight in Rimini, but it is not enough for the separate ranking. The ending says Bcc Agropoli 73 Orsi Tortona 74.
Coach Cavina starts with the usual quintet: Spissu, Marks, Reati, Brooks and Garri, choosing to start Iannilli from the bench. Tortona immediately starts strong, trying to serve its long shots under the basket and tightening the defensive shirts, but Spizzichini finds the triple to equalize which Garri immediately responds to. Santolamazza takes the first home advantage at 12 to 10 which becomes plus 5 with the triple from the former Tavernari. Agropoli is definitely at ease raising the pace of the match while Tortona forces a few too many 3-pointers. Partial score 4-0 for the guests with Brooks and Spissu and the time comes for Iannilli's debut in black and white, present as an offensive rebound even if he doesn't convert it into points. The match becomes more physical and Brooks crushes the new guest +3 immediately hooked by Tavernari's second triple. 18-18 at the first mini interval.
Two free throws from Spissu and a lunge from Brooks on one side and 4 points from Roderick on the other at the start of the second quarter. Reati's first triple arrives at 31 to 27 with the Orsi trying to extend the lead, but Trasolini immediately blocks the escape with a dunk and coach Paternoster wants to talk about it at 31-29 for Derthona. Reati's triple gives +7 with Agropoli in difficulty. Tavernari returns and shortens with another triple followed by Spizzichini's for the new equalizer. Coach Cavina is forced to timeout after 4 consecutive points from Roderick which stop the home run of 12-0. Agropoli leads at halftime 41 to 36. 17 from Roderick and 9 from Tavernari on one side, 10 from Reati and Brooks on the other.
Coach Cavina starts again with the first 5 and the lions start scoring again with 2 free throws from Brooks. Marks misses a couple of shots and Agropoli doesn't take advantage. Garri converts an offensive rebound into two points and brings his team within 1 in a third quarter where he scores very little on both sides. Brooks scores a three and allows his team to get their head back, but Roderick immediately replies from long range. Garri equalizes and Santolamazza makes it 51 to 48. Roderick finds the basket and fouls, Reati doesn't go for threes and Agropoli reaches +7 thanks to Carenza's triple. Brooks carries the team on his shoulders in attack, but only makes 1/2 from the line which is followed by a triple. At the end of the third quarter the scoreboard says Agropoli 61 Tortona 54.
Iannilli finds his first points in the black and white jersey from the line, then a triple from Spissu brings Tortona back to within 2, taking advantage of a few minutes of offensive sterility from Agropoli. Offenses in control find the score 68-68 with 4 minutes left. Basically an extra. Now the weight of the match is felt and no one scores anymore. Trasolini finds the +1 from the line, Roderick scores the triple for +4 at 1'15”. Trasolini commits an unsportsmanlike act on Garri who makes a 1/2 shot from the line. Equal number of offenses at 45'. Tortona gives two offensive rebounds to Agropoli, but Santolamazza only makes 1/2 from the line. At 16" Derthona's last possession on +1 Agropoli. Foul by Santolamazza who sends Marks to the line with 2 seconds left. The guard scores 2/2 and puts Tortona ahead by 1. Agropoli doesn't score and the Juventus party starts, authors of a great feat even if not enough to go to Rimini.
AGROPOLIS 73
DERTHONA 74
AGROPOLI: Santolamazza 9, Bovo, Bolpin, Trasolini 6, Carenza 7, Spizzichini 7, Di Prampero, Roderick 28, Tavernari 19. All. Paternoster
DERTHONA: Spissu 12, Gay, Iannilli 2, Reati 15, Bianchi 2, Marks 6, Garri 14, Riva, Brooks 23. Coach Cavina
NOTE. First half: 41-36. Partials: 18-18, 23-18, 20-18, 12-20.
