Derthona beats Roma 68-52
TORTONA. Tortona, after a complicated start, wins against Roma 68-52 thanks to a great defense. Acea scores 15 points in the first 5' and only 37 in the remaining 35'. After the beautiful victory in Agropoli, Derthona returns to PalaOltrepo for the match against Roma of former Pavia player Attilio Caja. Quintet with Garri, Brooks, Spissu, Marks and Reati. On the opposite side Maresca, Olasewere, Callahan, Voskul and Meini. Acea starts strong and scores an important partial: up 11-1 with two baskets from Meini, a tap in from Olasewere and five points from Callahan (there will be 12 at the end of the quarter). For Tortona only a free throw from Brooks who then gives the first adrenaline rush with a two-handed dunk. After 5' Tortona is already in the bonus and with three three-pointers (Reati, Marks and Spissu) they get closer to Roma (16-20). A shot from the elbow by Iannili gives the score 20-21. Derthona closes the gap, enters the game and on defense concedes only two points in the last three minutes. The first quarter ends 22-21 for Roma. The second period begins and the first advantage of the match for the lions is given by a powerful post movement by Iannilli. The match is point to point: Roma scores the first basket of the quarter with Casagrande, Olasewere sits on the bench with three fouls and Maresca is not a factor. Little is scored and with 3'53'' left Roma gets their head back with Callahan (28-27). Garri takes advantage of the mismatch with Benetti and scores five in a row with two nice moves in the low post. Tortona is ahead by six (34-28) with a penetration by Brooks and Caja is forced to call time out. The first half ends 36-30 with the fourth half clearly in favor of the lions (15-8). Spissu starts the third period with two long shots and Tortona reaches the maximum advantage (42-32). Marks scores four consecutive points and at mid-quarter Tortona is up 48-37. A nice bomb from Bianchi gives the +13 with one minute left. The third period ends 53-40 for the lions. The last quarter begins and coach Caja gets a technical. Tortona goes up by 17 (60-43) with a basket by Antonietti, the first of the season in a black and white jersey. The team takes control of the last part of the race with maturity. When there are 5 minutes left, they are ahead 62-44 and Roma only score 4 points. Callahan's fifth foul is the guests' surrender. Roma scores 15 points in the first 5' and 37 points in the rest of the match. It ends 68-52 for the lions. Double double by Iannilli (10 points and 10 rebounds), 20 point evening for Marks.
TORTONA 68
ROME 52
DERTHONA: Spissu 12, Gay, Reati 5, Bianchi 5, Marks 20, Garri 5, Iannilli 10, Brooks 9, Antonietti 2. Coach Cavina
ROME: Olasewere 5, Meini 2, Maresca 8, Leonzio 3, Callahan 16, Flamini 2, Benetti, Voskul 13, Casagrande 2, Bonfiglio 1. Coach Attilio Caja
REFEREES: Migotto and Barone
NOTE. First half: Partials: 21-22, 15-8, 17-10, 15-12.
