Basketball battle won with determination and personality. The success obtained at the expense of Vicenza allowed the Bisceglie Lions to conquer the 15th position in the ranking in group B of the Old Wild West National Serie B. Coach Agostino Origlio’s Nerazzurri have reached the Venetian team at 20 points but by virtue of the 2-0 in head-to-head matches they are ahead of them and have also pulled away from Ozzano, defeated in Chieti and now at -2.
First quarter characterized by low percentages, with the Nerazzurri unlucky in their heavy shooting (0/9). A penalizing trend, also confirmed in the second half, which ended with an insufficient 2/17. The first triple scored by Chiti was worth 18-17 and the guests’ reply produced +5 (18-23) but Chiti again had an impact from long range at 23. The balance persisted until the long interval ( 27-27). The guests’ outburst upon returning to the parquet (27-32) was immediately calmed down by an 8-0 from Bisceglie with baskets from the perimeter by Chiti and Rubinetti and an incursion from the sumptuous Janko Cepic, MVP with 26 points to his name, 8/8 from two, 8 fouls suffered, 8 rebounds and 32 rating. Bisceglie reached the maximum advantage at +6 (43-37, Chessari scored) but the traveling team managed to close the gap and overtake at 52-53. On the shields, in the excited final, Juani Rodriguez: the Argentine point guard signed the 56-55, then with a three-point play he brought his team to 59-57 and again responded to Antonietti’s triple by putting in the 62 from the arc -60. Cucchiaro’s 2/2 from the line restored parity, broken by Rodriguez at -1’04” with another feat (65-62). Cucchiaro closed the gap but the two free throws hit by captain Dip brought the score to 67-64. Vicenza’s next action ended with a daring basket by Bugatti (67-66) 14″ from the siren. Timeout and Lions throw-in: foul at the expense of Rodriguez whose 1/2 left the opponents with the last reply but the defense and the home team’s great desire to win prevented the mockery to the delight of the supporters in the stands of the PalaDolmen. The calendar will certainly not be easy for the Nerazzurri who will be on stage in Faenza on Saturday 30 March at 8.30pm in the match valid for the thirty-first matchday and will play three times away in the last four rounds. The heart and character shown against Vicenza give hope for an important season finale.
LIONS BISCEGLIE-VICENZA 68-66
Lions Bisceglie: Rodriguez Suppi 14, Chiti 9, Fontana 4, Cepic 26, Dip 6, Rubinetti 5, Chessari 4, Divac, Abati Tourè. Ne: Turin, Lanotte. All.: Origlio.
Vicenza: Cucchiaro 14, Brambilla 6, Bugatti 10, Lurini 9, Antonietti 4, Cernivani 15, Sanad 5, Campiello 3. Ne: Carr, Pavan, Riva. All.: Ghirelli.
Referees: Agnese from Barano d’Ischia and Manco from San Giorgio a Cremano.
Partial: 11-10; 27-27; 46-42.
Note: no one out for five fouls. Two-pointers: Bisceglie 14/28, Vicenza 21/44. Three-pointers: Bisceglie 9/32, Vicenza 4/14. Free throws: Bisceglie 13/21, Vicenza 12/15. Rebounds: Bisceglie 36, Vicenza 38. Assists: Bisceglie 18, Vicenza 12.
Article by the Lions Bisceglie press office
Thursday 28 March 2024
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