Derthona fights, makes a great comeback but is beaten in the last seconds
Bertram Derthona-Galatasaray 70-71
(22-20, 33-37, 50-49)
Scoreboards:
Derthona: Zerini, Noua 4, Ross 6, Candi, Errica ne, Straūtins 4, Baldasso 16, Severini 11, Obasohan 8, Weems 11, Thomas, Radošević 10. All. De Raffaele
Galatasaray: Walden 6, Kabaca 5, Halilovic 6, Bost 7, Geyik ne, Prepelic 23, Radebaugh 4, Vatan ne, Yeboah 2, Tuncer ne, McCormack 16, Koksal 2. Coach Mitrovic
Bertram Derthona gives up in the sprint in Game 1 of the BCL Play-Ins: in a match characterized by great balance, the team coached by De Raffaele suffers the opponent's attack in the final period, before coming back and overtaking. In the last action, the clarity of the Turkish team allows them to achieve success.
First period of high level and great balance at PalaEnergica: it started (8-0) and - thanks to a gust from Baldasso (7 points in the half) - Bertram closed it better, leading 10-22 in the 20th minute. In the second half, Galatasaray increased the intensity of their defense and found solutions at the rim with McCormack, reaching the double-digit lead (25-36) in the 17th minute. At the end of the first half the Lions placed a counter break which allowed them to close the gap to 33-37.
Upon returning from the locker rooms, Derthona made a great acceleration, led by Severini's 8 points, which was worth the lead to 48-39 at the half. In the following moments, Galatasaray reacted and came back into contact: Bost's triple set the score at 50-49 at the third siren. The start of the last quarter is Turkish-style: the guests in fact grow on both sides of the pitch and extend the lead to 53-59 in the 33rd minute. In the following moments, despite Bertram's attempts, Galatasaray widened their gap, bringing it to double figures (55-65) with Kabaca's basket. Bertram, driven by Baldasso's final rush and Severini's contribution, comes back possession after possession: it is precisely with a three-point basket from number 13 that the Lions regain the lead (70-69) with 13 seconds to go. McCormack scores the new overtaking, Baldasso's winning shot misses: Galatasaray wins 70-71.
Thus Luke Severini at the end of the race: “Tonight's match was very tough, we had ups and downs, then we managed to come back but unfortunately it wasn't enough to win”.
Thus coach Walter De Raffaele at the end of the race: “Congratulations to Galatasaray and their coaching staff: I think they deserved to win. From our point of view, I think the players gave everything on the pitch, due to the physical and technical conditions of some of them at the moment. I have nothing to say about the effort made, even with different quintets, and we had the chance to win. We have to score and have less pressure on ourselves, but given the situation we are in now, against such a strong opponent, we come out with our heads held high.".
