Tortona-Biella 87-72: the news
VOGHERA. Tortona wins 87-72 against Angelico Biella, sends five players to double figures and provides proof of rebounding superiority (41 for the Leoni against 27 for the Angelico) maintaining excellent percentages from long range (44%). The two best teams in the group compete: Tortona has eight victories in the last 10 matches, while Angelico has scored seven. Cavina starts with the usual quintet: Spissu, Marks, Brooks, Reati and Garri. Carrea instead chooses the former Venuto, Ferguson, Pierich, De Vico and Infante. Tortona starts strong immediately with three consecutive bombs (Reati, Spissu and Marks) to which is added a support from Garri which gives the first partial 11-2. For Angelico, a basket in the low post for Infante with coach Carrea forced to call a time out after two minutes. The Lions continue to keep their percentages high from the arc (another bomb from Marks), Brooks runs in transition and an intentional foul is called against La Torre (17-6). Biella returns to the match with a bomb from Pierich and one from Infante, but Marks continues to make it from three (3/5 in the first quarter). The first period ends 25-15 with a bomb from Ferguson at the siren.
The second quarter begins and Ferguson tries to shake Angelico, but Brooks scores from the arc. Seven minutes from the end of the first half, Derthona is up by double figures (28-17). Brooks misses the dunk on one side and Ferguson runs on the counterattack on the other, bringing Biella down by 6 points. Garri, Spissu and Bianchi bring it back up by 13, 4'11'' from the long siren. Again from three Marks gives Derthona the maximum advantage (38-24) with Angelico struggling to score. It ends with a bomb from Reati which Infante responds to four seconds from the end of the first half: the Lions close 44-33.
The third quarter begins and Spissu scores five points in a row, Reati is relentless from long range and Brooks catches Marks' cut: Tortona scores another run of 10-2 (54-35). The lions charge headlong: Brooks' tenth point makes it 59-37 halfway through the third quarter. Angelico comes back 18 down with Infante and Ferguson. Tortona is strong in rebounding and wins many second shots: with 1'28'' from the end they are up by 19 and the period ends 66-46 with a partial of 22-13.
Tortona gives up for a moment at the beginning of the fourth quarter and Biella goes back down by 16 points, Brooks penetrates and sweeps away Infante, bringing the local team back up by 19 points. De Vico tries to bring Angelico back in, but Simoncelli responds from the opposite side. With 4'26'' left in the match the former Venuto scores with the help of the three-pointer and Angelico is back 15 points behind. Tortona drops and at 2'15'' the gap is 11 points. But the Lions play with the clock and manage to keep Biella at a distance. Pierich's -10 bomb scares Tortona, but Garri scores five points in a row (2/2 from the line and three-pointers) and effectively closes the game.
TABLE
TORTONA 87
CONNECTING ROD 72
DERTHONA BEARS: Spissu 11, Gay, Reati 15, Bianchi 5, Marks 18, Simoncelli 8, Garri 12, Iannilli 4, Brooks 19. All. Cavina
ANGELICO BIELLA: Ferguson 15, Banti 3, La Torre 5, Infante 14, Venuto 8, Pollone, De Vico 12, Saunders 4, Pierich 11, Svoboda. All. Carrea
REFEREES: Noce, Radaelli and Pecorella.
NOTE. First half: 44-33. Partials: 25-15, 19-18, 22-13, 21-26.
