Derthona beats Rieti 73-60
[huge_it_gallery id = ”2 ″]
VOGHERA. Without Simoncelli and with Garri not at his best, Derthona returns to victory against Rieti after defeats in Casalpusterlengo and Biella. In the third period the lions score the decisive partial (23-13). Juventus quintet with Spissu, Marks, Ammannato, Brooks and Reati. Coach Nunzi lines up Buckles, Mortellaro, Della Rosa, Benedusi and Parente for the guests. The lions start by immediately attacking the rim against Rieti: first Marks in penetration and then Brooks (two baskets in a row) score the first points of the PalaOltrepo match between Derthona and newly promoted Rieti. The first five guest points came from Mortellaro (he scored 9 in the first quarter) who put it in transition and on an offensive rebound. After five minutes Derthona leads 6-5. After the initial sprint the black and whites struggle, coach Cavina introduces Garri who scores 7 points in a row: a bomb, tap in to the basket in transition (after stealing the ball from Parente) and layup (13-13). The first quarter ends 15-13 for Derthona. The second period begins and Brooks immediately makes his way into the painted area: basket and foul for the +5. Buckles doesn't hold Brooks, Rieti remains attacked with Pepper and Mortellaro and the match is 25-25 until the young Gay who came in to give minutes to Spissu hits a three-pointer that blows up PalaOltrepo. Tortona builds good shots, the ball turns and good rebounds arrive which give second chances. In practice without Marks (three fouls) the first half ends 32-32 with the Lions shooting 18% from long range. The third quarter begins with a bomb from Spissu and a basket in the low post from Marks (7 in the quarter). Parente scores the two free throws and with 6'50'' left in the period Derthona leads 42-38. Marks' cut on an assist from Reati gives the +7. The small quintet with Brooks center and four wingers paid off and the score reached double figures. Rieti has more centimeters, but struggles to find penetrations and with a placed by Gay Tortona reaches +13. In the quarter it ends 55-45 for the lions. The final period begins and Derthona manages the match with maturity: with 5' left to go a Spissu placed gives the +18 from long range (67-49). It ends 73-60, next match in Agropoli on January 3rd.
DERTHONA 73
RIETI 60
DERTHONA: Spissu 13, Gay 5, Reati 6, Bianchi 2, Marks 13, Garri 13, Brooks 21. Coach Cavina
RIETI: Buckles 6, Mortellaro 17, Benedusi 4, Feliciangeli 4, Longobardi 5, Parente 9, Pepper 15. Coach Nunzi
REFEREE: Rudellat, Terranova and Mertellosio
NOTE. First half: 32-32. Partials: 15-13, 17-19, 23-13, 18-15.
