Bertram chases, makes a great comeback but gives up in the sprint in Milan
Bertram Derthona-EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 75-79
(19-22, 31-41, 55-54)
Scoreboards:
Derthona: Zerini, Baldi ne, Dowe 12, Candi, Tavernelli ne, Straūtins, Baldasso 9, Daum 16, Obasohan 9, Weems 19, Thomas 6, Radošević 4. Coach Ramondino
Milan: Poythress 14, Bortolani, Pangos 11, Tonut 9, Melli 14, Kamagate 6, Ricci, Flaccadori 8, Hall 4, Caruso ne, Shields 5, Voigtmann 8. All. Messina
Defeat in the sprint for Bertram Derthona in the presence of the Italian champions EA7 Emporio Armani Milano: after having suffered the opponents' initiatives in the first half, the Lions launched a comeback that exalted the Casale crowd and took the lead. In the tense final, Olimpia manages to gain the two points. Of note, during the match, was the goal of 1000 points scored in Bertram Derthona jersey by Mike Daum.
Balanced first minutes of the match at PalaEnergica, then Milan produces an acceleration - thanks to Melli - which is worth the 10-20. In the final stages of the half, Bertram came closer with precision in her shot from outside: Baldasso's triple at the end set the score at 19-22 in the 10th minute. In the second half, EA7 raises the intensity of their defense and finds good solutions at the rim to widen the gap: at half-time the visitors are ahead 31-41.
Bertram returns from the locker room with a 13-1 break which is worth the overtaking (44-42 at 23') and inflames the PalaEnergica crowd. In the following minutes the match increases in intensity and the two teams respond blow for blow: in the 30th minute Leoni lead 55-54. Three consecutive triples from Baldasso (2) and Daum push the team coached by Ramondino to the maximum gap in their favor (66-61 in the 35th minute). However, Milan remains in contact, thus giving rise to a new sprint finish, in which Derthona takes the lead (75-73) with 100 seconds to go. Poythress and Shields overtake (75-77) 27 seconds from the siren: Obasohan's shot to equalize fails to score and Tonut closes the match from the line, which ends with Milan's victory 75-79.
Thus coach Marco Ramondino at the end of the race: “Congratulations to Milan both for how he impacted the match and for his ability to make decisive plays both in attack and defense. For our part, the growth during the match was positive, especially in the second half in terms of physicality and execution in both halves of the pitch. A very important aspect was the rebounding impact in all forty minutes. In the first half we were unable to counteract Milan's play in the area, while in the second half we conceded fewer shots from underneath and played with greater clarity, realizing the advantages we had obtained, having contributed from many players. In the end, Milan was good at exploiting the internal game with Poythress and Melli and scoring all the free throws.".
