Derthona 66 Ferentino 64
A hangover was needed and in the end the lions overcame the battleship Ferentino. 66 to 64 was the end of a match which at half-time saw the guests leading by 14 points at 39 to 25.
Imbro' dominates the first quarter scoring four triples including one from sidereal distance for the first extension at 20 to 12. Second quarter along the lines of the first with the hosts struggling to execute in attack and the final 39 to 25 marks the maximum external advantage. The third quarter, however, was the start of a different game: after having reached minus 16 on 28 to 44, it moved to 46 to 44 (18 to 0 in about four minutes of play) with 11 points from Marks. We go into the last interval at 51 to 50 for Tortona. Coach Cavina's men are well present in defense, forcing the guests to make many mistakes but every now and then they don't capitalize in attack even if Ferentino is no longer able to put his head forward. The last minute opens with the locals leading by 6 points but the guests don't want to know about going out defeated. Four consecutive free throws from Imbro' and Raymond reopen the game, Simoncelli loses the ball in attack and sends Imbro' to the line again who makes 2 of 2 for 64 to 62. Immediate foul on Brooks who has a steady and lucky hand for the plus four. Boeri scores from 2 in penetration but there is no more time. The PalaOltrepo' is celebrating.
Coach Cavina in the press room is extremely satisfied and happy for his boys. “It was difficult to overturn a game like that, it was difficult to keep an opponent like that to just 64 points scored. Great praise for my boys: they interpreted the defensive zone well, they attacked well especially in the second half. In the first half perhaps we were too concentrated and at their pace we had no chance of winning. Something more was needed: we shot better, we took better positions on rebounds, allowing fewer offensive players. A few too many losses but we know we still have to improve.
Derthona: Spissu 2, Reati 9, Marks 23, Ammannato 8, Brooks 13, Bianchi 2, Simoncelli 4, Garri 5.
Ferentino: Gigli 6, Raspino 3, Imbro' 14, Bowers 5, Raymond 10, Bulleri 9, Benevelli 12, Carnovali 3, Benvenuti 2.
