Basketball Serie A: Brescia beats Napoli and catches Virtus, Trieste overcomes Varese, Cantù ok

On the 25th day of Serie A basketball, Brescia crushed Napoli 100-85 and locked Virtus at the top of the table for one evening, thanks to 21 points from Ndour and a 29-17 run in the third quarter produced by Della Valle and Bilan. Trieste outsprints Varese 90-89 with two decisive free throws from Ramsey, MVP of the match with 24 points. At the PalaVerde, Treviso beats Tortona 91-86: it is the third consecutive victory for Nutribullet, which completely reopens the question of salvation. Sassari is shaking, defeated in a comeback by Cantù (80-78) who now extends by 4 points on the penultimate place. Cremona takes a step towards the playoff fight, beating Udine 82-73 at home with a very hot Veronesi from three points. For Easter, Virtus Bologna and Milan will be on the field, against Venice and Reggio Emilia respectively.

BRESCIA-NAPLES 100-85

—

After the stop in Reggio Emilia, Brescia returns to racing: Cotelli’s team joins Virtus at the top of the table for one evening, awaiting tomorrow’s results. After a balanced first half, the Leonessa scored the decisive break of 15-2 (70-57) in the second half of the third quarter, driven by Della Valle’s triples and Bilan’s performance under the basket. Excellent performance from Ndour, who scored 21 points with 9/13 from 2. El-Amin’s 24 points were not enough for the guests, who in the final period were unable to find the right team to make a comeback: it was the fifth defeat in six games for Guerri, who saw the bottom of the class getting dangerously close. Aside from the prohibitive match against Germani, the direct clash against Treviso next day will be decisive.

Brescia: Ndour 21, Burnell 19, Mobio 18

Napoli: El-Amin 24, Bolton 19, Totè 13

TRIESTE-VARESE 90-89

—

What a mockery for Varese! Trieste comes back from a double-digit deficit (54-65) at the beginning of the second half and recovers after two consecutive defeats in the championship. The Giulians showed a different face in the second half of the match, led by an extraordinary Ramsey who scored 10 points in the third quarter, then completing the comeback with a triple from Uthoff midway through the fourth quarter. Openjobmetis comes back on top four seconds after the last siren, Nkamhoua’s delivery frees Alviti from the arc for the counter-overtaking (88-89), but Ramsey’s subsequent last-gasp play catches Stewart’s foul: Trieste’s number 37 is impeccable from the line, while Moore’s reply – which could have meant the return to the playoff zone – misses the back of the net.

Trieste: Ramsey 24, Sissoko 18, Ross 14

Varese: Nkamhoua 23, Alviti 19, Stewart 18

TREVISO-TORTONA 91-86

—

Another important brick arrives from Nutribullet to maintain the category: it is the third consecutive victory for Nicola’s men, who completely reopen the fight for salvation. Tortona, who had led at the start of the match, stopped due to the many turnovers (19 in total). The best for Treviso is a solid Abdur-Rahkman, with 21 points (5/8 from 2) and 5 rebounds. Everything is decided on the last turn of the clock, with Treviso scoring the decisive sprint with the support of Croswell which is worth +6 (86-80). Tortona gets closer with triples from Vital and Strautins, but towards the end of the match the hosts are more clear-headed and close the issue from the line with Cappelletti and Croswell, who rekindle hopes in a season finale that promises to be fiery.

Treviso: Abdur-Rahkman 21, Croswell 16, Cappelletti 15

Tortona: Vital 16, Strautins 13, Baldasso and Gorham 11

CREMONA-UDINE 82-73

—

Second consecutive victory for Vanoli, which brings the playoffs closer even if the fight in between is tight. The 17 points with 5 of 8 from the arc by Veronesi and the excessive rebounding power were decisive (54-30, with 9 from Udom and 11 each from Casarin and Ndiaye). Second knockout for Udine who are separated from their opponents in the standings. The first breakthrough, in the second period, was made by the home team after breaking free from the arc; a lead defended until half-time thanks to Veronesi. The good moment continues after the break, when Udine is blocked in attack and Vanoli scores a 9-0 break which is the basis for the double-digit lead (60-50) which arrives shortly after with a triple from the usual Veronesi. Calzavara slows down the spread of the locals, who however respond with Battle, who also performs surgery from afar. At that point Cremona becomes a flood and secures the match, leaving their opponents 5 points in as many minutes in the final period, escaping at +19 (80-61).

Cremona: Veronesi 17, Ndiaye 11, Burns 10

Udine: Calzavara 15, Dawkins and Mekowulu 11

CANTÙ-SASSARI 80-78

—

In extremis Cantù won the second success in a row and the fourth if we count the home games, after a consistently tight match against Sassari, which in the end allowed coach De Raffele’s team to move within 4 points of Treviso and pull ahead of the Sardinians. Entering the fourth quarter with a 5-point deficit (61-66) after long breaks and counter-breaks, Cantù holds her opponents to 12 points scored in the fourth quarter. So he comes back and brings the outcome of the contest to the final seconds. Running a great risk because, having reached 23″ from the end at 78-78, Bortolani (11 points with 3/7 from the arc) misses one of two free throws. Without consequences, given that on the other side Macon misses the winning basket. De Nicolao then takes care of it from the line to close the game at 80-78. Despite the rebound defeat, for Cantù four players in double figures and higher percentages. Fourth consecutive knockout for Sassari, now only at +2 on Treviso.

Cantù: Green 17, Fevrier and Ballo 13

Sassari: Marshall Jr 21, Macon 15, Thomas 13