Npc Rieti – Orsi Derthona 58-67, scoreboard and chronicle of the Lions' success
Npc Rieti – Orsi Derthona 58-67
(18-18, 29-32, 42-48)
Rieti: Casini ne, Della Rosa 3, Benedusi 3, Eliantonio, Zanelli 14, Chillo 2, Sims 26, Pipitone, Finizii ne, Di Prampero, Pepper 10, Godoy ne. All. Nunzi
Derthona: Greene IV 14, Cosey 19, Alviti 2, Ricci 6, Sanna 3, Taverna, Conti, Mascherpa 4, Garri 10, Cucci 9. Coach Cavina
Referees: Bartoli from Trieste, Raimondo from Rome, Fabiani from Altopascio (LU).
Notes: T2: Re 17/31, De 16/37; T3: Ri 4/24; De 9/30; Tl: Re 12/18, De 8/13.
Prestigious success for Derthona, who emerged victorious from the PalaSojourner in Rieti (58-67) against an NPC team that took to the field determined to play their chances of accessing the playoffs. After a first half of the match characterized by low scoring and defensive intensity, it was Derthona who took charge of the match's inertia, thanks to their control of the scoreboards (32-47 rebounds, with 15 offensive) and an improvement of realization percentages.
The first Juventus attack was made by Greene IV and Sanna, who made it 31-40 in the 23rd minute with two consecutive three-point baskets. The Npc reacts promptly with Sims and with a triple from Zanelli's dribble (36-40), and then equalizes by capitalizing on the unsportsmanlike foul penalized by Ricci (2/2 by Zanelli and winning support by Sims), for the 40-40 on the 25th '. The over two thousand spectators at the PalaSojourner get fired up, but the Lions do not let themselves be intimidated. Far from it: with two three-point baskets from Cosey, interspersed with two free throws from Garri, and above all with a great team defense, Derthona escapes again, reaching 42-48 in the 30th minute. The Juventus rearguard is also a factor at the start of the fourth period - five minutes without conceding a basket between 27' and 32' - so Garri can score with a three-point play the 42-53 which is worth the maximum guest advantage. Sims and Pepper close the gap (50-55 at 35'), but the Lions don't retreat an inch. Indeed, they extended their lead again with Cucci's triple (50-58 in the 37th minute), and returned to a double-digit lead with Greene IV's triple (54-67) one minute from the end.
Demis Cavina: “Today's victory is a heavy one because it was obtained on a historically difficult pitch and against a team that physically could have put us in difficulty in more than one role. We gave Sims something more, but we were very good at controlling rebounds and constantly defending the perimeter. I don't want to talk about a positive season because it seems like a final judgement; Instead, I want to think that this is a great victory, but that we can still do many positive things and improve further, given our young age. I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Easter, ready for the next match."
