Bertram Derthona overturns the result and beats Dinamo Academy Cagliari 77-76
Bertram Derthona – Dinamo Academy Cagliari 77-76
(12-22, 30-42, 54-61)
Bertram Derthona: Stefanelli 2, Alibegovic 13, Sorokas 15, Radonjic, Apuzzone, Quaglia 6, Garri 7, Gergati 11, Johnson 14, Spanghero 9. All. Pansa
Dinamo Academy Cagliari: Keene 24, Allegretti 12, Turel 8, Rullo 12, Ebeling 3, Matrone 4, Bucarelli 2, Stephens 4, Rovatti 7, Angius ne. All. Paolini.
A basket by Melvin Johnson crowned the great reaction of Bertram Derthona who was able to overturn the -17 score in the third quarter (40-57) and then went on to win 77-76 against Dinamo Academy Cagliari.
Dinamo Academy starts immediately with excellent intentions with Turel and Rovatti, while Bertram Derthona advances through shots from the line. Captain Garri reduces the deficit from the three-point line thanks to a defensive inattention by Cagliari, but the Sardinians continue their march undaunted, scoring the 9-19 with 2'24" left in the first quarter.
The Bianconeri struggled to find the right way to score, thus suffering the attacks of Allegretti and Stephens' Dinamo. The first quarter goes in favor of the guests 12-22. In the second quarter Gergati and Alibegovic immediately impose an important 5-0 which gives new energy. Sorokas, Alibegovic and Quaglia reduce the deficit, but the Sardinians travel by inertia scoring a desired triple with Rovatti.
However, Keene puts the burden on his team's shoulders, while Sorokas also tries to respond from the line. The Lions don't give up an inch, but at the end of the second quarter the hosts are still chasing (30-42). Upon returning from the locker rooms, Bertram Derthona tries to make up for it with baskets from Sorokas, Johnson and Spanghero, but the responses from Keene and Rullo lengthen the pace of coach Paolini's team.
Coach Pansa's team, with Spanghero's triple and Johnson's basket, tries to stay in the lead, reaching -8 with 2'32” left. Cagliari is experiencing a moment of confusion and Alibegovic takes advantage of it, with a triple from the corner, bringing his teammates just five points away (52-57).
However, we go to the last act with a score of 54-61 thanks to baskets by Keene and Matrone. The fourth quarter opens with the crowd charging and shouting “Leoni, Leoni”. The Bianconeri put a lot of energy into play, led by Quaglia, thus returning to put their breath down their necks (60-63).
Gergati and Alibegovic charge from long range, and Rullo's triples still keep the guests ahead (70-72). At 2'43” the first lead comes for Bertram Derthona thanks to Sorokas' bomb; now coach Paolini finds himself forced to call time-out. With just one second left Johnson finds the basket to make it +1 (77-76), but Cagliari can still take advantage of possession in attack.
Nothing factual in the action that follows; Bertram Derthona wins after a difficult match 77-76.
Lorenzo Pansa: “I want to express all my admiration to Marco Calvani for everything he is doing with his staff. I hold this result very close to me because winning this match as it turned out was anything but easy, but just as we were so disappointed when we threw certain matches away, I have to congratulate the boys by holding on with some defensive plays that we had been waiting for for some time. I take home the faces of players who have played in a match because this makes us feel calm also about how we worked during the week."
