Derthona Basket's winning march also continues in the first match of 2021, finding success on the Mantua court thanks to a high-level second half in the defensive half of the pitch and classy plays in decisive moments. Coach Talpo chooses Graziani in the quintet instead of Fabi in the match on the Mantua pitch: the first minutes flow on the edge of the balance between the two teams, before a mini break by the home team which makes it 10-6 in the middle of the period. Central part of the Mantua-led fraction, led by the plays of James and Cortese who brought the score to 19-13. The Lions' reaction is entrusted to the talent of Ambrosin, who signs a classy 0-8 that gives the guests the overtaking (19-21 at 9'): Staff time-out. The first quarter is closed by Cannon and Cortese, who set the tie at 23 after ten minutes. Gazzotti and Graziani try to push the team coached by Talpo forward with some baskets from outside in a series, but Mantova responds blow for blow: the match is good and balanced, even in the partial (38-39 at 17'). In the final stages of the first half, the Stings overtake with James and Maspero: in the 20th minute the home team was ahead 44-42. Balance on the parquet even after returning from the changing rooms, between two teams driven by team play; Sanders and Ambrosin then produced the Juventus break (53-59 in the 27th minute) which forced coach Di Paolantonio to interrupt operations. Cannon scores +10 (53-63 at 29'), then Mantova shortens with Ferrara and Ghersetti: at 30' Leoni ahead 57-63. In the last half the back and forth between the two teams continues: after the new Juventus break (59-68), Mantova comes back into contact thanks to Maspero's triple (64-68 in the 33rd minute) which causes the time-out of Bertram. Coming out of the suspension, the guests put the turbo on and produce a maxi partial of 4-13 which takes them to 68-81 in the 38th minute. In the final stages Mantua closes the gap, but Derthona prevails 72-81.
