Great defense and clarity in key moments: the Lions beat Orzinuovi
Agribertocchi Orzinuovi-Bertram Derthona 63-78
(8-27, 25-45, 44-57)
Scoreboards:
Orzinuovi: Rupil 5, Miles 13, Mastellari 5, Guerra ne, Galmarini 11, Negri 3, Tilliander ne, Zilli 10, Wickramanayake ne, Spanghero 11, Fokou 5, Hollis. All. Corbani
Derthona: Sackey ne, Cannon 24, Gazzotti 2, Ambrosin 12, Tavernelli 3, Fabi 6, Mascolo 14, Severini 1, Sanders 16, Romano, Morgillo. All. Ramondino
A defense of the highest level is the key to the convincing success at home of the second in the standings Orzinuovi: the only 25 points conceded in the first half (there will then be 63 at the end against a team that averages almost 90) allow the Lions to direct the match. The performance of the usual Cannon (24p) was decisive, as he was the star of the evening together with Mascolo (14p) and Sanders (16p). Also on top is Lollo Ambrosin (12p), with precious points in key moments of the race. But Bertram's attitude is absolutely convincing and brings home a huge success.
Sprint start for the Lions, who find a 0-7 in the first two minutes of the match: coach Corbani immediately stops the match. In the following moments the Bianconeri fuel their run, also capitalizing on the unsportsmanlike penalty given to Negri on Sanders, and update their maximum lead to 8-27 at the end of the first quarter. In the second half the gap widens (12-34), before Orzinuovi produces a break of 2-10 which allows them to get closer (22-36 at 16'). The first half, closed by baskets from Cannon and Spanghero at the buzzer, ends 25-45. Agribertocchi tries to get back into the game by offering an equal front area which allows them to reach 41-51 in the 27th minute. Baskets from Sanders, Ambrosin and Cannon then changed the team's momentum: in the 30th minute Bertram was ahead 44-57. At the start of the last quarter the home team reached -7 (52-59), before the new Juventus acceleration which made it 54-66 in the 34th minute. In the final, the Lions resist Orzinuovi's comeback attempts and close the match by converting the unsportsmanlike foul called against Zilli, winning 63-78.
