Orsi Derthona wins the 10th Ernesto Cima Memorial
Derthona Orsi – Novipiù Casale Monferrato 82-77
(20-21, 43-37, 63-61)
Derthona: Greene IV 21, Cosey 13, Alviti 13, Ricci 19, Sanna 6, Conti 2, Mascherpa 5, Pilati, Riva, Billi, Cucci 3. All.Cavina
Casale: Tolbert 20, Denegri, Tomassini 3, Natali 11, Blizzard 14, Di Bella 8, Emegano 15, Severini 2, Ruiu 2, Valentini, Bellan 2. Coach Ramondino
Notes: T2: De 15/25, Ca 22/40; T3: De 12/30, Ca 7/18; Tl: De 16/16, Ca 12/16
In the splendid setting of a renovated PalaCima, Orsi Derthona beat Novipiù Casale Monferrato 82-77 and won the 10th Ernesto Cima Memorial at the end of an intense and exciting match, which enthralled the audience at PalaCima from the first to the last minute.
Without Offenders and captain Garri, Derthona showed excellent character in the first derby of the season, reacting with a vigorous 9-0 run to the overtaking made by Novipiù two minutes from the end.
In the finale, Giampaolo Ricci was awarded MVP of the event, while Davide Alviti won the best young person award.
At the start of the match, Greene IV and Ricci responded to the attacks of Tolbert (6 in the first quarter) and Natali, making it 20-21 in the 10th minute. The balance also reigns supreme for a good part of the second period, broken only by two heavy baskets from Alviti which lead to 43-37 at the break. In the second half, Tolbert and Blizzard take center stage, for the new equalizer at 50 in the 24th minute. Derthona tries a second attack again, but Casale doesn't give up and stays behind for almost the entire fourth period, giving the impression of having a sprint finish in his power. The Lions were overtaken by Tolbert (73-74 with 100" to go) and saw the abyss very close on Natali's triple which made it 73-77 with 1'10" left. It's Cosey who takes the chestnuts out of the fire, first inventing a triple off the dribble, and then with a nice penetrating basket that seals the counter-overtaking (78-77) with 35" to go. Severini's triple misses, Cosey on the other side makes 2/2 from the line and takes a 3-point lead with 10 seconds left. Casale's last attack is signed by Blizzard, but it is printed on the rim, thus leaving Greene IV free to finish the final 82-77 from the line.
Thus coach Demis Cavina:
