Autosped has a huge heart, with a crazy last quarter they come back from -11, turn the game around and get the two points
Alama San Martino di Lupari-Autosped BCC Derthona 84-91
(26-13, 44-36, 71-60)
Scoreboards:
San Martino: D'Alie 7, Guarise 5, Scott 18, Cvijanovic 12, Hobbs 5, Mioni 0, Gilli 2, Del Pero 9, Pilatone 0, Sabel 26, Cecotti 0, Donato 0. Coach Piazza
BCC Derthona: Dotto, Kunaiyi 27, Fontaine 9, Conte 16, Toffolo 2, Leonardi, Fondren 7, Arado ne, Suarez 4, Melchiori 11, Penna 15. Coach Cutugno
Autosped BCC Derthona has won its second consecutive league game, once again away at Alama San Martino di Lupari. Coached by Cutugno, the team trailed for long stretches, reacted with determination and unity (24 assists at the buzzer) to every break by the opposition, and with an excellent final quarter on both halves (13-31), turned the game around and caught up with tonight's opponents in the standings. Today's victory, thanks to the comeback and team effort, is one of BCC's finest in Serie A history, led by Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah's impressive double-double (27 points and 16 rebounds), the first of four players to score double figures (Conte 16, Penna 15, and Melchiori 11, with the game-winning baskets). Cornelia Fondren also had a positive debut in the red and whites (7 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists).
BCC played a tough first quarter in San Martino di Lupari: Cutugno's team succumbed to the opposition's momentum, fueled by Sabel's three-pointers, which allowed the Venetians to extend their lead to 26-13 by the 10th minute. In the second quarter, the Lupe extended their lead to 16 points (40-24), before plays by Conte and Penna in the second half of the quarter closed the gap to 44-36 at halftime.
After returning from the locker rooms, the game continued along the same lines of set pieces and counter-set pieces: Autosped repeatedly came within two possessions, but in the closing stages of the period, San Martino found the baskets that secured a new lead (71-60 at 30'). In the final quarter, play after play, getting to the rim and finding second-chance points, BCC took the lead (78-79), capping a remarkable comeback. This led to a dramatic finale in the final three minutes, where Autosped found the decisive and winning break with baskets from Kunaiyi and Melchiori, making it 84-91 at the buzzer.
The comment of Pallas Kunaiyi Akpanah: "We kept fighting even when we were trailing by double digits. Thanks to the coaching staff and Francesca Melchiori's leadership, we came back. At halftime, we weren't happy with our performance. In the second half, my teammates helped and encouraged me, and I contributed to this success.".
Coach's words Orazio Cutugno: We played a solid game, as demonstrated by our resistance to the setbacks we faced. We had 24 assists, which against this pressure is a sign of our control on the court. We never gave up in the final minutes; we made four or five consecutive defenses, which won us the game. The girls' progress has always been one of growth, beyond the results that help. The addition of a new, experienced, and solid player like Fondren helps; we continue to work with commitment and enthusiasm..
