A proud Autosped leads for 35', but in the end gives in to Campobasso
Autosped BCC Derthona-La Molisana Campobasso 70-79
(22-10, 43-31, 56-52)
Scoreboards:
BCC Derthona: Dotto 9, Marangoni 5, Fontaine 9, Premasunac black, Leonardi, Arado 4, Cocuzza black, Attura 9, Melchiori 11, Penna 10, Gatti 2, Coates 11. Coach Cutugno
Campobasso: Ziemborska 20, Kunaiyi-Akpanah 21, Giacchetti, Kacerik, Trimboli 10, Meldere, Scalia 13, Madera 13, Morrison 2, Bocchetti n. Coach Sabatelli
Autosped BCC Derthona has long deservedly nurtured the possibility of earning its first two points in Serie A1, playing over three quarters of a high level against La Molisana Magnolia Campobasso, before suffering the opponent's comeback in the final fraction. The team coached by Cutugno, without Premasunac, in the splendid setting of the Cittadella dello Sport facility, excites the crowd with great plays, fights, leads for long stretches of the game and resists all the opponents' attempts to come back until 4 minutes from the end, before giving in at the end.
Autosped started the match with great energy, tightening the defense and finding fluidity in attack, both with choral plays and with Coates' finalizations, leading from the first moments: at 10' BCC ahead 22-10. In the second half the match flows with the same leitmotiv: the home team is brilliant on both halves of the court and maintains a double-digit lead (43-31) at half-time.
After returning from the locker rooms, Campobasso increases the score and reduces the gap possession after possession thanks also to the rediscovered precision in shooting from outside: Autosped reacts to the attempt to come back and maintains a four-point margin (56-52) at 30'. The last period is a long sprint, an exciting head-to-head between the two teams: the guests take the lead for the first time in the game with Kunaiyi's basket (65-66) at 36'. In the following periods, the guests widen their margin and - despite Autosped's attempts - win 70-79.
The words of Francesca Melchiori at the end of the race: "We started strong, knowing we were facing an aggressive team. We were prepared for this and we repelled Campobasso's comeback attempts until the third period. We are at the beginning of the championship, we certainly have a lot to learn and many games to do it".
So coach Orazio Cutugno at the end of the race: “The game had two faces: in the first half we were up to the level, then between the third and final quarter Campobasso gained confidence and, with a quintet that was a bit too small, we left chances to get back into the game to a team with a wealth of experience to play these games. There is a bit of regret for how we started and how we finished. As the minutes passed, building shots became increasingly difficult and, unable to finish in the area, we struggled to score. In defense, we were unable to take away their growing confidence throughout the game”.
