Rivers’ performance was decisive, his third game in a row in double figures
Follow the Rivers. Cremona leaves the PalaLeonessa with their heads held high, very high indeed, but they have to surrender 83-72 in the Lombard derby to the league leaders, eighth victory in the league out of nine for Brescia led by Charleston’s guard, in the third game in a row in double figures after 20 against Trieste and 10 against Naples. Germani did well to make up for Della Valle’s bad day in attack, 2/13 shooting. Heroic Cremona, who never dies despite Brescia’s attempts to overrun every quarter.
The Leonessa tries immediately, already in the first 10 minutes of the game: 17-7, Casarin and his teammates close the gap (1st quarter 23-21). They try again in the 2nd quarter, Bilan and his teammates, 29-21 after 3′. However, Vanoli equalized with Ndiaye who crushed on the counterattack and there were still 5 minutes left until half time. The guests set the tone, Durham is furious, 14 points in 14′. Brescia is alive, remains in the wake but Cremona is in total confidence: two baskets in a row from beyond the arc, one by Burns and the other by Willis: we go to rest at 37-40 for the guests.
change of pace
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Rivers lights up in the second half. Three consecutive triples, 9 consecutive points and Leonessa ahead 48-42. The guests suffer in defense. Ndour takes the lead (9 rebounds and 27 evaluation), partial 14-2 Germani and time out by coach Brotto at 51-42. Finished? Nope. Again Ndiaye (9 rebounds) reopens the game and kicks off yet another Vanoli comeback. Halftime score 9-2 and 2′ from the 3rd quarter the score is 53-51. Then a tile for Cremona: Casarin breaks out but remains glued to the home team thanks also to the bench (28 points). Germani takes control of the offensive rebounds (13 in total) and raises the defensive intensity (Cremona 15 turnovers and only one steal, Cournooh did well with 12 points). Cremona’s last attempt at a comeback arrives with 3’20 left: 72-68 led by a stoic Casarin who has since returned to the parquet. Four points in a row from Ndour, the second field goal from Della Valle and the last triple from Rivers definitively close the game.
Brescia: Rivers 19, Ndour 16, Ivanovic 13.
Cremona: Durham 17, Casarin 13, Ndiaye 10.
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