Derthona's heart isn't enough: Brescia wins the battle at PalaLeonessa 92-86.
Germani Brescia – Bertram Derthona Tortona 92-86
(24-23, 42-46, 66-63)
Brescia : Bilan 19, Ferrero, Massinburg 11, Doneda NE, Santinon NE, Della Valle 11, Burnell 19, Ivanovic 12, Mobio 2, Rivers 18, Cournooh. Coach: Cotelli.
Tortona : Vital 9, Hubb 12, Gorham 4, Manjon NE, Pecchia 9, Chapman 5, Tandia NE, Strautins 21, Baldasso 7, Olejniczak 10, Biligha 9, Riismaa. All. Fioretti.
Referees : Sahin from Messina, Bongiorni from Pisa, Bettini from Bologna.
A strong second quarter and heart weren't enough to bounce back in the fourth quarter against Bertram Derthona Tortona, who lost 92-86 on the field against Germani Brescia, the league's second-place team. The Lions' first half of the season ended with a defeat, despite Arturs Strautins' 21 points on 5-of-6 three-pointers.
Brescia wins after 40 minutes of battle
Sunday was a physical affair at PalaLeonessa A2A, with the first quarter held steady. Derthona resisted long-range shots from Amedeo Della Valle, Nikola Ivanovic, and CJ Massinburg, building temporary leads at various points. At the end of the first quarter, a layup by Jason Burnell gave the home team a 24-23 lead.
The second quarter saw the Bianconeri temporarily take a 10-point lead (41-31) with a shot from Arturs Strautins with four minutes left. The Latvian wasn't the only Lions player to improve: Paul Biligha (9 points and 6 rebounds) also improved his performance, given Dominik Olejniczak's foul trouble. At the end of the second quarter, Derthona led 46-42 at PalaLeonessa A2A.
With both teams back from halftime, Germani Brescia fully demonstrated their offensive prowess, particularly their threat from beyond the arc. A three-pointer from Ivanovic put the home team up by 7 points (60-53) with 3:31 left, but once again Bertram responded. After thirty minutes, only one possession (66-63) separated the two teams.
In the final ten minutes, Brescia stepped on the gas again, maintaining a positive long-range percentage (they finished at 11/23, 47.8%). Two consecutive three-pointers from Strautins, however, didn't spell the end, keeping Coach Fioretti's team afloat.
Captain Baldasso makes it 86-84 with 1:06 left. The final minutes of the game, however, see the home team more focused and capable of taking home the victory: Bertram's winning streak ends, finishing the first half of the season with a record of 10 wins and 5 losses, with 20 points. See you again at the Nova Arena on Saturday, January 17th at 6:45 PM, against Milan.
PHOTO CREDIT: Ciamillo-Castoria
