Bertram Derthona takes the series to game 4 by beating GSA Udine 80-74 at home.
The match at PalaOltrepo' is full of emotions: after almost 15 minutes of great balance the Lions, in the second part of the second quarter, thanks to Johnson and Sorokas, managed to score a break which took them 35-26 at the break .
Udine tried several times to reduce the deficit, responding with attributes to the +15 printed by the hosts at the end of the third period. After having reduced to six points with a triple by Dykes at the siren of the third quarter (54-48), the Gsa put their noses ahead: Dykes and Pinton reversed the result, bringing coach Lardo's team to +3 (54-57) .
Derthona doesn't get too upset, continues to grind out the game and manages to regain the inertia of the match: the decisive role is played by captain Garri who, thanks to his centimeters and his experience, scores a 5-point break which turns out to be decisive for the final victory (64-59), as Udine will no longer be able to close the gap.
So the appointment is on Monday 7 May, at 20.30 pm, when the Lions will try to equalize the series and then play it all out two days later in the Friulian capital.
A first quarter from the long phase of balance at the PalaOltrepo' in Voghera where the two quintets remained tied to the score of 2-2 after 5 minutes of play.
Alibegovic's triple broke the deadlock, but Benevelli responded from long range.
The decisive blow is given by Gergati who, at the end of the siren, throws the bomb to make it 15-11. In the second quarter the Lions try to pick up the pace. Johnson and Sorokas extended the score, Radonjic showed new energy from long range and Bertram Derthona moved up to +10 (27-17) after 3'49”, the maximum momentary advantage. Caupain tries to remedy the situation, but it is Sorokas and Alibegovic who impose the break which makes it 35-26 at half-time.
Upon returning to the parquet, Udine tries to reduce the deficit with Benevelli and Raspino, but Sorokas' triple and captain Garri's points allow the Bianconeri to gain ground. Derthona jumps to +15 (53-38) on Spanghero's two triples, but Udine repays with the same coin (Pinton and Dykes) for the 54-48 at the third siren. There's no time to sit down before Udine changes gear. Pinton and Bushati from three points suddenly force Bertram Derthona to chase (54-57), but the Lions do not falter and, thanks to Garri, with his 5 consecutive points, they put their head back in front (64-59).
Captain Garri leads the way, Pinton and Dykes keep breathing down their necks from long range (73-70 with 1'31" to go), but the last moments of the match are played from the line, with the Lions managing to maintain the Friulians at a safe distance.
Bertram Derthona thus shortens the series by winning 80-74 against GSA Udine.
Lorenzo Pansa"I give huge compliments to the team and I would like people to feel it. The difference between the races was the rebound data. Grabbing rebounds against a team of this tonnage means having played with a desire capable of going beyond any limit. From a technical point of view we can do much better, we still have room for growth in view of game 4. The boys did something extraordinary this evening. We won the match at least twice because when we went down we managed to restart once again and bring home the result".
