A crazy comeback is not enough for Derthona, Napoli wins
GeVi Napoli-Bertram Derthona 78-73
(24-13, 41-27, 56-47, 70-70)
Scoreboards:
Napoli: Zerini 1, Coralic ne, Iannuzzi 8, Klacar ne, Cannavina ne, Parks 20, Sandri 3, Marini 12, Mayo 20, Uglietti 8, Lombardi ne, Monaldi 6. All. Sacripanti
Derthona: Sackey ne, Cannon 11, Gazzotti, Ambrosin 7, D'Ercole, Fabi 13, Mascolo 13, Severini 12, Sanders 17, Morgillo. All. Ramondino
Match with a thousand emotions and many faces at the PalaBarbuto: in the first half Derthona suffered the play of Napoli, going down by 20 points, before starting a constant comeback that was worth the overtime, obtained with a "prayer" from nine meters of Fabi. In extra time, balanced, GeVi wins with a crazy three-point basket by Marini. For Derthona, however, very positive signs in view of the start of the decisive phase of the championship, the playoffs.
The first few minutes were balanced at the PalaBarbuto: the triples from Mayo and Monaldi broke it in favor of Napoli, setting the score at 24-13. In the second half the hosts widened their gap again, before the Juventus reaction in the final stages, which made it 41-27 at the break. Upon returning from the locker rooms, GeVi maintained control of the match, before in the final quarter Sanders, Fabi and a defense that had grown in intensity contributed to closing the gap to 56-47.
The Lions' comeback is furious, until the last minute which is a photo finish: Mascolo misses the overtaking lay-up (65-64 Napoli), Marini makes 2/2 from the line and Cannon manages to make an impact with a precious three-pointer points with 32'' left. Napoli's subsequent attack ends with Parks' three-point basket. With 3 seconds on the clock the incredible happens, because Fabi manages to score a crazy triple from over 9 meters, sending the two teams into overtime.
In extra time, GeVi jumped to +5, before the Juventus comeback: at -2, Sanders, twice, and Fabi missed the overtaking shot and, in the following action, Marini found a daring three-point basket that delivered the victory and the number 1 playoff position in Naples.
By virtue of this result, Derthona Basket finishes in third place in the standings and will face OraSì Ravenna in the playoff quarter-finals which will start next weekend.
