Bertram fights until the siren, but Rieti passes to PalaOltrepò
Bertram Derthona-Zeus Energy Group Rieti 48-51
(14-10, 29-27, 39-35)
Scoreboards:
Derthona: Viglianisi 5, Tuoyo 9, Blizzard 8, Buffo, Ndoja 9, Ugolini, Lusvarghi, Lisini ne, Gergati 17, Spizzichini ne. All. Ramondino
Rieti: Annibald nei, Berrettoni, Tomasini 3, Casini 5, Toscano 6, Moretti ne, Gigli 2, Jones 17, Carenza 12, Nikolic 4, Bonacini 2. Coach Rossi
Defeat in the sprint for a Bertram forced to forcibly shorten rotations due to numerous absences: coach Ramondino's team remained ahead in the score for the first three quarters before suffering a partial which allowed Rieti to lead the match. In the final, a couple of baskets from Tuoyo put the Bianconeri back ahead, before Carenza and Casini decided the match in Rieti's favor with their plays. Bertram's start to the match, led by Gergati's initiatives in attack and by a zonal defense that sends the opponent's attack into difficulty: the home team's first break arrives after five minutes, at 10-2. In the final minutes of the half, Rieti gets closer in the score by taking advantage of the numerous extra possessions gained via offensive rebounds: at the end of the first quarter the score is 14-10. After five consecutive points from Ndoja at the start of the second period comes the reaction of coach Rossi's team, who find parity at 19 with a triple from Carenza, forcing coach Ramondino to stop the game. Coming out of the time-out, the Bianconeri increased their defensive pressure, dirtying all the passing lines in Rieti, and produced a 5-0 break concluded by Blizzard's triple (24-19 at 15'). The last minutes of the first half flowed in a sign of balance and at the interval Bertram led 29-27. Upon returning from the locker rooms, Derthona maintains its lead, thanks to an intense and effective defense that limits the opponents' initiatives: it is then Gergati again, with a three-point basket, who widens the home team's margin. At the third siren the score is 39-35. The baskets by Jones and Toscano, in the first minutes of the last half, were worth the overtaking of Rieti (44-41 at 34'): it was once again the American winger who increased the gap between the two teams, with the dunk which was worth the 46-41. At the moment of maximum difficulty of the match comes the reaction of coach Ramondino's team, pushed again by a good defense which allows Blizzard and Tuoyo, with two offensive plays, to impact the match at 46 points. After another basket from Tuoyo, Carenza gives the new advantage to the NPC: the subsequent error by Gergati and the 2/2 by Casini puts full possession between the two teams (51-48 with 7 seconds left). Viglianisi's last shot misses the basket, Rieti wins at PalaOltrepò.
