Derthona in total control, 87-76 over Napoli for the second consecutive victory
Bertram Derthona Tortona – Napoli Basketball 87-76
(23-19, 43-41, 65-55)
Tortona: Vital 19, Hubb 10, Gorham 13, Pecchia 4, Chapman 3, Di Meo NE, Tandia NE, Strautins NE, Baldasso 10, Olejniczak 18, Biligha 8, Riismaa 2. All. Fioretti.
Naples: Flagg 11, Mitrou-Long 10, El-Amin 11, Croswell 13, Faggian 5, Saccoccia NE, Gloria NE, Treier 2, Gentile 2, Simms 10, Caruso, Bolton 12. Coach Magro.
Referees: Sahin of Messina, Capotorto of Rome, Miniati of Florence.
Bertram Derthona Tortona celebrated its 70th birthday in the best possible way, defeating Napoli Basketball 87-76 with five players in double figures and Dominik Olejniczak (18 points and 7 rebounds) and Christian Vital (19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists) standing out.
Ahead of the match against Varese on Sunday 9 November at 18:00 PM, this is the third victory at the Nova Arena, giving Mario Fioretti's Bianconeri a 4-1 lead in the standings.
Absolute control in the forty minutes against Napoli
Without Ezra Manjon, who suffered a left thigh strain in a pre-match practice, Bertram was led from the start by Gorham (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists), who scored 7 of the first 9 points for the Bianconeri. At the end of a tight first quarter, thanks in part to a strong performance by Olejniczak, Derthona led 23-19.
The Polish center continued his personal show in the second quarter, scoring six consecutive points, including an alley-oop assisted by Hubb (10 points and 4 assists). Limiting the Neapolitans' shooting, Derthona took their maximum lead (34-26) with five minutes to go on a three-pointer by Chapman. Napoli responded with a burst of fire from Rasir Bolton, and the Lions went into the locker room with a 43-41 lead.
With more minutes and responsibility given Manjon's absence, Hubb responded early in the third quarter with two three-pointers and a fast break on the paint that gave the Bianconeri a 52-43 lead with 6:58 left. Replacing an excellent Olejniczak, Biligha (8 points and 4 rebounds) entered the game with a bang, aided by Hubb's assists, increasing the lead to +11 (60-49). A perfect three-pointer from the free throw line by captain Baldasso (10 points and 6 assists) sealed the 65-55 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Bertram didn't slow down in the fourth quarter, maintaining an 11-point lead (76-65) after a Vital dunk and a long-range three-pointer by Baldasso. Another Vital perimeter shot and a two-handed shot by Gorham made it a 15-point lead (82-67) at the end of the final quarter; from then on, it was just a matter of sealing the result for Mario Fioretti's team, who remain undefeated at home.
PHOTO CREDIT: Ciamillo-Castoria
