Interregional Serie B: Gulliver's strong start isn't enough: Derthona loses to Pavia in the second half.
Pavia Basketball – Gulliver Derthona 90-83
(22-31, 28-29, 23-9, 17-14)
Pavia: Savio, Tommasini 6, Bogunovic 15, Fiume ne, Manna 6, Quarisa ne, Carobba ne, Aprile 8, Gonzalez 25, Wiltshire 8, Neri 17, Avanzini 5. Coach Zappi
Derthona: Di Meo 16, Fogliato black, Bottelli, Bresciani 3, Borasi 3, Chikal black, Furfaro, Pisati 6, Bellinaso 18, Coulibaly 8, Josovic 25, Taverna 4. Coach Talpo, Coach Fanaletti
Gulliver Derthona was defeated at Pala Ravizza in Pavia by a final score of 90-83, at the end of a game of two halves. After a strong first half, the Bianconeri suffered a comeback from the home team in the second half. With this defeat, the Lions remain in tenth place with 18 points.
The game started off very evenly, with constant changes of direction. However, Derthona took control of the pace of the game in the first quarter, consistently finding the basket and building a significant first lead. The star of the period was Josovic, who scored 15 points in the first ten minutes, allowing the Lions to close the quarter with a 22-31 lead.
In the second quarter, Pavia attempted to rally with a 7-0 run, but Tortona responded quickly with Taverna and a three-pointer from Di Meo, maintaining control of the score. Both teams continued to score at high percentages, creating a brilliant offensive matchup. At halftime, the Bianconeri maintained a 50-60 lead, led by Josovic (18 points) and Bellinaso (17 points).
After returning from the locker rooms, the momentum of the match shifted. Pavia increased their defensive intensity, while Derthona struggled to find offensive solutions, scoring just six points in the first eight minutes of the third period. The home team took advantage of this to come back and complete the lead. A three-pointer by Borasi at the buzzer kept the Bianconeri in the game at 73-69 at the 30th minute.
The final quarter began with Pavia still in control. Despite the Lions' attempt to fight back, managing to get within five points, a few key incidents in the final minutes definitively changed the game. A Lions' inbound error with one minute left gave the home team two easy points, while Wiltshire's three-pointer with 40 seconds left sealed the game. Gulliver Derthona thus paid the price for their second-half decline, after a strong first half, and were forced to surrender by a score of 90-83.
The next match will see Gulliver take to the field Wednesday 15 April in house against Sangiorgese
