Serie A-1, Trapani at full speed: beats Venezia and clears the -4. Cantù, Cremona and Tortona ok

In the 12pm advance, Cantù savors the victory in Serie A again 1616 days after the last time. Coach Brienza’s team beats Reggio Emilia 83-78 after chasing for large stretches, thanks to a fourth period of great desire and intensity. Cheatam’s 27 points are not enough for the Emilians. Trapani, on the other hand, is smiling, making it two out of two in the championship (and eliminating the 4-point penalty that came in the summer for administrative failures) at the end of a very tight match against Venezia: Repesa’s team wins 109-102 after extra time thanks to Allen, Ford and Petrucelli, all above 20 points. Cremona raises its head again, thanks to 20 points from Willis and beats Sassari (79-75). Second knockout for Bulleri’s boys. The magical moment of Tortona continues as it overwhelms Treviso (107-95) on its debut in the new home facility. Vital top scorer, author of 20 points. In the Saturday preview, two points arrived for Milan (61-94 in Varese) and Bologna (82-80 in Udine). Brescia was also victorious, 72-63, against Trento.

CANTÙ-REGGIO EMILIA 83-78

—

In a PalaDesio hot for the first home game in Serie A after 4 years of waiting, the first lines are an authentic Cheatam-show: he alone scores (9 points) for Reggio in the first 6′, and forces coach Brienza to review the game plan: Basile out, Ajayi in. Cheatam’s solo, however, continues throughout the first half, which the American ends with 20 points. Reggio seems in control for over 20 minutes: it takes advantage of Cantù’s turnovers (17) and offensive rebounds to escape a couple of times up to +11 (43-54 at 25′). However, the home team managed to find countermeasures, with the physicality of Ajayi and Ballo and with triples from Bortolani. In the final, everything turns upside down: Reggio stops scoring, thanks to a rhythm broken by fouls and poor percentages on the free throw line (12/21), while Basile and Sneed, who hadn’t arrived until then, are decisive with baskets and offensive rebounds. De Nicolao then took care of closing the score, making the triple to make it 83-78 13 seconds before the siren.

Cantu: Bortolani 17, Ajayi 14, Sneed 10

Reggio Emilia: Cheatam 27, Caupain 15, Barford 9

TRAPANI-VENICE 109-102 dts

—

The script for the start of the match develops in the area. Both teams attack in penetration, with Allen very involved for Trapani. The Shark gives the first shock to the game at the beginning of the second quarter: Petrucelli repeatedly attacks the rim, starting a 9-0 run. The former Brescia player is unstoppable and closes the first half with 18 points. Cole and Parks keep Venezia in the game, who return to the locker room down 47-42 despite 9 turnovers and 8 offensive rebounds conceded. And when three triples from Rossato send Trapani up 64-55, Reyer reacts with the defense: partial 12-2 and everything in balance for the final. The fourth period is played in a sprint, with a back and forth between Ford-Allen and Cole-Bowman. In the last 30” everything happens: at 89-89, Tessitori scores by beating Eboua in the post, but Ford responds again with penetration, then Bowman loses a bloody ball and is pardoned by Allen, who misses the winning triple. However, the American redeems himself in extra time: he and Alibegovic are the heroes for the Sharks, making the baskets that are worth the decisive extension, before Petrucelli definitively closes the game with the +7 basket.

Trapani: Allen 24, Petrucelli 24, Ford 23

Venice: Cole 24, Bowman 14, Weavers 13

CREMONA-SASSARI 79-75

—

In the match among the disappointments of the first day, it is the hosts who are smiling. The start is all about balance. The teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm (9-13 for the guests in the 10th minute). Bulleri’s team, however, immediately tries to make an attack, taking advantage of Thomas’ physicality and the pick and roll between Buie and Vincini, which makes it 6-13 in the 7th minute. Jones turns Vanoli back on with a triple. The match continues point by point also in the second quarter. Casarin immediately scores 5 points, which keeps Brotto’s men in touch, who then find the advantage, after triples from Grant and Veronesi (24-23 at 14′). Buie, Willis, Mezzanotte, Beliauskas confirm the general increase in percentages in the second period, scoring from the arc. Grant, in penetration, responds to McGlynn’s support. Sassari ends the first half ahead (34-37) after a basket by Thomas. In the second half, a series of low post plays by McGlynn allowed the Sardinians to escape (39-54 in the 26th minute). Vanoli comes back with triples from Willis and Burns and free throws from Jones (53-56 at 30′). The final period begins with the teams running a lot in transition. Veronesi and Burns try to make the Lombards escape, but Buie isn’t having it (73-71 in the 36th minute). In the final, Brotto’s team is ahead by one possession (78-75), Casarin doesn’t close the deal from the arc, but Dinamo doesn’t take advantage of it, losing the ball with Buie. Burns seals the Cremonese victory from the line.

Cremona: Willis 20, Casarin 14, Grant 11

Sassari: McGlynn 16, Buie 15, Marshall Jr 10.

TORTONA-TREVISO 107-95

—

Bertram’s debut in the brand new Cittadella dello Sport is a crackling one. After the success in Milan, in a low-paced match, the Piedmontese showed other characteristics and played a match made up of many transitions and offensive efficiency. The guests started better and with Stephens at the rim and the baskets of the shooters, Olisevicius and Ragland, they signed the initial 0-5. Manjon and a penetration by Pecchia wake up Bertram. Tortona’s offensive rhythm grows thanks to the dynamism of Gorham and Biligha and the gusts of Vital and Manjon, but Ragland from the arc and a finalized transition from Miaschi keep Nutribullet ahead (9-17 at 5′). A four-point play by Rismaa and a basket by Baldasso keep the home team in touch, but Treviso remains ahead in the 10th minute. Fioretti’s men change face in the second quarter, with Chapman’s triple and above all with the pick and roll between Hubb and Olejniczak, which gives the Piedmontese a 10-0 break (34-32 at 13′). The Nutribullet is in the hands of an excellent Stephens, precise near the rim (14 points in the 20th minute). Manjon, from beyond the arc and a recovery with a dunk by Biligha sign the 5-0 for Bertram (42-39 in the 16th minute). At the end of the first half, the hosts found the escape. Baskets by Ghoram and Hubb first and a nice dig by Vital then set the Piedmontese +10 (57-47) in the 20th minute. The script of the match remains the same even in the second half. Fioretti’s men run a lot and Treviso is unable to contain them. Rismaa and Vital continue to score and Derthona’s lead grows (85-73 at 30′). The hosts travel at a very high pace, especially in attack and Nutribullet, despite some calls from Miaschi, Ragland and Pinkins at the beginning of the last period, is unable to return.

Tortona: Vital 20, Baldasso 16, Manjon 15

Treviso: Olisevicius 20, Abdur-Rahkman 18, Stephens 16