Derthona recovers and wins against Tofas Bursa
Bertram Derthona-Tofas Bursa 91-85
(23-25, 41-44, 62-61, 81-81)
Scoreboards:
Derthona: Dowe 14, Candi 2, Errica ne, Baldasso 17, Severini 10, Basile, Obasohan 10, Weems 10, Thomas 16, Radošević 12. Coach Ramondino
Bursa: Cengiz ne, Winston 6, Akdamar ne, Prewitt 9, Homesley 18, Gecim 9, Demir 4, O' Brien 18, Maye, Sakic 5, Wiley 16, Kurtuldum. Annex Ene
Fourth consecutive success for Bertram Derthona, which confirms its lead in Group H of the BCL and further certifies its qualification for the next phase of the competition (Play In or direct round of XNUMX still to be defined based on the results of the next matches). The team coached by Ramondino plays a solid game for all forty-five minutes, resisting Tofas' partial in the third quarter, returning to the match and then prevailing in overtime.
High-paced first half at the PalaEnergica Paolo Ferraris, between two teams who find effective solutions in speed and at a high spectacular rate. Balance reigns on the pitch, between partials and against partials: at 10' Tofas ahead 23-25. In the second period the match continues with the same leitmotiv, a matter of balance both in the game and in the score: at halftime Homesley's triple puts Bursa ahead 41-44.
Upon returning from the changing rooms, the Turkish team produced an important acceleration, worth a double-digit margin. Bertram, then, guided by Thomas' baskets, fully returns to the match and overtakes at the buzzer: in the 30th minute the Lions lead 62-61. In the last quarter the match continues to be balanced: we enter the last five minutes with the two teams tied at 71 points. In the next two turns of the clock, Tofas produces a break of 0-6 which puts a two-possession gap between the teams (71-77), forcing coach Ramondino to stop the match. The exit from the time-out was entirely by Dowe: the American point guard scored seven consecutive points which pushed Derthona ahead entering the final minute. Baskets by Dowe, Homesley and O' Brien tied the game at 81 with 7 seconds left: we go to overtime.
In extra time the pace slows down, but the tie (at 85) remains entering the final minute: Dowe – on the line – breaks the balance, Thomas stops Sakic's equalizing shot and the subsequent unsportsmanlike foul called against Prewitt on Baldasso closes the competition. Bertram wins 91-85 and continues its perfect run in Group H of BCL.
Thus Ta Shawn Thomas at the end of the race: “I am really proud of this team victory. Having lost Mike Daum, each of us gave it our all. I'm really proud of this team, even when we were ten points behind we came back and achieved great success.".
Thus coach Marco Ramondino at the end of the race: “Tonight's victory makes us very proud, as a coach I am surprised at where the boys found their energy. The match was difficult, we weren't as good as we would like to be, but it's also true that we played with particular quintets. I think the team was growing a little frustrated between the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth quarter due to some well-constructed and missed shots. But as often happens recently, the team grew during the match.".
