Chapman's perfect night makes it four in a row: Derthona beats Cantù 100-73
Bertram Derthona Tortona – Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù 100-73
(27-22, 55-38, 73-55)
Tortona: Vital 20, Hubb 17, Gorham 9, Manjon 4, Pecchia, Chapman 28, Tandia, Baldasso, Strautins 7, Olejniczak 11, Biligha 4, Riismaa. All. Fioretti.
Cantu: Chiozza, Moraschini 5, De Nicolao 2, Ballo 11, Bortolani 8, Molteni, Sneed 11, Basile 14, Fevrier 13, Green 9, Gualdi, Okeke. Coach: De Raffaele.
Referees: Rossi from Anghiari (AR), Bartolomeo from Brindisi, Catani from Pescara.
An extraordinary start to spring for Bertram Derthona Tortona, who defeated Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù 100-73 with an extraordinary ballistic performance, shooting 64% (18/28) and securing their fourth consecutive championship victory.
The star of the night was Brekkott Chapman, who scored a season-high 28 points and was a perfect field goal shooter (7-of-7 from beyond the arc, 3-of-3 from two-point range, and 1-of-1 from free throws). Christian Vital (20 points, 4-of-7 from three) and Prentiss Hubb (17 points, 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, and 4 assists) also contributed strongly.
The victory against Cantù is the fourth consecutive in the LBA
The afternoon started well from long range, with two close-range 3-pointers from Arturs Strautins and Justin Gorham. The battle under the basket between Oumar Ballo and Dominik Olejniczak was intense right from the start, with Olejniczak putting the home team up 12-6 with 6:18 left. Bertram continued to control the first quarter, extending their lead to 24-13 with 2:10 left. Three-pointers from Grant Basile and Erick Green put Cantù back on the offensive: Derthona closed the first quarter up 27-22.
The second quarter was all about Brekkott Chapman: after a scoreless first quarter and less than two minutes on the court, Derthona's No. 7 scored his season-high in just ten minutes, scoring 14 points before halftime. Chapman's three-pointers and the solidity of the Bianconeri defense pushed the Lions to a 17-point lead (55-38) with two quarters left at Nova Arena.
Acqua S. Bernardo Cantù's pride shined brightly early in the second half, with eight consecutive points from Giordano Bortolani and Riccardo Moraschini bringing the Brianza team back to within 55-46 with 8:15 left. Derthona, however, remained solid and unfazed, reestablishing a solid 15-point lead (65-50) after a three-pointer that danced off the rim by Prentiss Hubb. Bertram's remarkable perimeter night continued with another three-pointer from Hubb late in the third quarter, making it 73-55.
Awarded the NBA MVP for February, the American point guard proved unstoppable early in the fourth quarter with two mind-blowing shots from beyond the arc to give Bertram a 21-point lead (79-58). The game's finale proved exceptional, especially for Chapman, who hit three consecutive bombs to close out his night with 28 points and 100% field goal percentage. The final minutes were completely under control for the Bianconeri, who secured their fourth consecutive league win.
PHOTO CREDIT: Ciamillo-Castoria
