BCC plays with pride and intensity, but Schio goes to Cittadella
Autosped BCC Derthona-Famila Wuber Schio 57-65
(13-18, 27-34, 42-53)
Scoreboards:
BCC Derthona: Dotto ne, Kunaiyi 17, Fontaine 6, Conte 13, Toffolo 2, Leonardi, Fondren 11, Arado, Suarez 3, Cocuzza ne, Melchiori ne, Penna 5. Coach Cutugno
Schio: Mestdagh, Sottana 9, Zanardi 3, Verona 5, Conde 6, Andrè 7, Zandalasini 4, Keys 2, Shepard 22, Laksa 7. Coach Lapena
Autosped BCC Derthona suffered a defeat in their top-flight match against Famila Wuber Schio. Facing a sold-out Cittadella dello Sport, Cutugno's team—without Dotto and Melchiori—played with great energy and intensity, competing for the full forty minutes against the Italian champions. A first-half run and the team's ability to withstand all Autosped's comeback attempts proved the difference in the Veneto team's favor. Worthy of note is the nearly €4500 in proceeds raised this evening, which will be donated to the Franca Cassola Pasquali Association, which has supported the work of the Breast Unit at Tortona Hospital for years.
The Cittadella dello Sport started the game with a series of set pieces, before Schio built a small break in the final moments thanks to Shepard's 11-point play and closed the quarter ahead 13-18. The visitors continued to dominate the second quarter, extending their lead beyond double digits, before Fondren's triple at the end of the first half set the score at 27-34.
Upon returning from the locker rooms, the match continues with the same fil rouge, although BCC managed to close the gap to two possessions on several occasions, having opportunities to close the gap even further. In the final stages of the quarter, however, Famila found some very solid plays to extend their lead to 42-53 by the 30th minute. In the final period, Cutugno's team showed great intensity and energy, trying to get back into the game and increasing their defensive intensity, but they were unable to completely close the gap: at the buzzer, the score was 57-65.
Coach's comment Orazio Cutugno: "Congratulations to Schio, who won by making the decisive plays. We played a good game, making a significant impact in the final twelve or fourteen minutes, something we could have had earlier. I think this is a useful match, one that can provide insights for the rest of the season. Our absences, Dotto and Melchiori, are significant both in the match and during the week, although our Under 13s are a big help.".
The words of Pallas Kunaiyi Akpanah: "It was a very difficult match against a team that pushes you to compete at a very high level. We fought and stayed close throughout, playing well and finding several key players throughout the forty minutes. I think this is a good step in our growth journey.".
