A choral and precise Bertram imposes itself on Naples
Bertram Derthona-GeVi Napoli 97-72
(21-11, 44-33, 78-50)
Scoreboards:
Derthona: Zerini ne, Ross 15, Dowe 11, Candi 6, Tavernelli, Strautinš 13, Baldasso 8, Kamagate 12, Severini 3, Obasohan 11, Weems 13, Radošević 15. All. De Raffaele
Napoli: Pullen 13, Zubcic 7, Ennis 13, De Nicolao 5, Sinagra ne, Owens 11, Brown 7, Sokolowski 10, Lever 2, Bamba ne, Mabor 4, Ebeling. All. Milicic
A sumptuous third quarter, an aggressive and attentive defense and high 3-point shooting percentages (42,9%) allow Bertram Derthona to win the 22nd matchday of the championship against the new Italian Cup winners GeVi Napoli. The Lions lead from the start and find continuity and coherence in both halves of the pitch, limiting the opposing offensive talent as much as possible. The 6 players in double figures (Ross, Obasohan, Weems, Strautins, Dowe and Kamagate), the 50 rebounds captured and the 72 points conceded to the third best attack in the championship are the keys to a deserved success.
Good start to the match for the hosts who lead from the first minutes driven by the baskets and energy of Strautins. The fluid circulation of the ball, combined with an aggressive defense, allows the Lions to close the opening half on +10 (21-11). In the second period a mini break of 2-9 by the Biancocelesti brings Napoli back to -3 before the new extension sealed by 4 consecutive triples signed by Strautins, Baldasso, Ross and Candi which update the maximum lead (40-25). In the last minutes before the long break GeVi partially manages to shorten the lead. The teams go to the locker room with the score 44-33. Upon returning from the long break, Bertram increases her defensive intensity again and finds a new offensive player in Obasohan who allows her to expand the lead. The high percentages from long range and the tough defense of the home team push the Bianconeri to +25. Colbey Ross' buzzer beater with just over a second left crowns and closes the excellent third quarter at 78-50. At the start of the last quarter Bertram puts her foot down further on the accelerator, expanding her margin and even reaching +30. In the last minutes of the half the Bianconeri managed the margin and closed the match 97-72
So coach Walter De Raffaele at the end of the race: “First of all, I want to dedicate this victory to Gianluca Peruffo, a dear friend of the club who recently left us.
I think the players played a great match. On a defensive level with 40' of absolute intensity and attention against one of the teams with the most talent among all the players. It is a very important victory because, on the one hand it distances us from the "danger zone", on the other it allows us to remain close to the dream of seeing what's next. I think the difference was the humility with which we faced the match: with the desire to sacrifice ourselves without worrying about taking energy into the attack. We are a team that, when concentrated, I believe can produce a very high intensity and today all my players were really very good. We are working well, we must continue like this and think about the next one."
