Derthona Orsi – Novipiù Casale Monferrato 76-78
Derthona Orsi – Novipiù Casale Monferrato 76-78
(13-17, 41-38, 60-56)
Derthona: Greene IV 13, Cosey 7, Alviti 8, Ricci 14, Sanna 4, Conti, Mascherpa 7, Garri 17, Pilati ne, Billi ne, Cucci 6. Coach Cavina
Casale: Tolbert 7, Denegri 6, Tomassini 29, Natali 8, Blizzard 10, Di Bella 4, Martinoni 11, Severini 3, Ruiu ne, De Ros ne, Valentini ne, Bellan. All. Ramondino
Notes: T2: De 21/33, Cm 18/35; T3: De 7/22, Cm 10/18; Tl: De 13/16, Cm 12/18.
It's a basket by Giovanni Tomassini a tenth of a second from the end that directs the derby towards Novipiù Casale Monferrato. An exciting derby ended in the most bitter way for the black and white colours, which saw fifteen overtaking and which, after a first quarter which saw an escape attempt by Novipiù, developed along the lines of balance and pathos. A derby that Casale seemed to have won with a handful of seconds to go, but which Derthona's lion-like spirit reopened until the equalizer was signed 2" from the end. Before, in fact, Tomassini's jumper which scored the final 76-78.
Casale did better at the start, driven by a 3/5 from three points (Tomassini scored twice and Denegri) which made it 13-17 in the 10th minute. The rossoblu streak continues with two consecutive baskets by Martinoni for the maximum Novipiù advantage (13-23 at 12'), before Derthona makes its voice heard. A steal by Garri on full-court pressing and a five-second infringement forced by the Juventus collective turn the game's momentum and, on Alviti's triple (29-29), Orsi officially returns to the game. Three three-point baskets by Greene put the Bianconeri ahead near halftime (41-38), but upon returning from the locker room it was the defenses that took center stage. The shooting percentages progressively decrease, and at the start of the fourth period Novipiù can overtake (60-63). The rossoblu maintain a one-possession advantage for almost the entire fourth period, until the final minute, in which Casale enters +3. Greene and Mascherpa missed the triple of the Juventus equalizer, Tomassini scored the score 71-76 from the line. Two free throws from Garri bring Derthona back within 8" of the end, then the Bianconeri recover the ball (5" infringement by Martinoni). The last attack brings Mascherpa to the line with 5" left: the Juventus point guard scores the first and incredibly converts the captured attacking rebound, hitting the ball at 76 with 2" to play.
Then the epilogue.
