Heart and a very hot PalaCattani are not enough for the Blacks to advance in the series with Libertas Livorno. A basket by Saccaggi 2” from the end was decisive, ending a nervous and intense match, as expected. The negative news of the evening, however, was Poletti’s injury, who suffered a calf problem in the second quarter after scoring a basket and was carried off the field by his teammates. Now the important thing is to think about the future and about Game 4 which will be played on Sunday at 6pm again at PalaCattani.
The Blacks start strong and take a 12-7 lead then start arguing with the basket and Livorno takes advantage of it by placing a 10-0 break. Faenza continues to have difficulties in attack, as demonstrated by the last four points of the quarter, all scored from the foul line. At the first half we arrive with Livorno ahead 21-16 then the tension reigns supreme and both teams make the impossible mistakes, even well-constructed shots. Thus was born a quarter won by the Romagna 7-2 and at half-time the score was perfectly tied 23-23.
In the second half the offensive percentages rise and Faenza starts better, gaining a few points and reaching 47-38 with a triple from Siberna. Livorno seemed to be too nervous, but after a technical right away and Lucarelli’s expulsion from the bench for protests, they filled themselves with nervous energy and staged a comeback. The Blacks complain for not having made the most of this moment of decline of their opponents and find themselves chasing 53-52 after suffering a triple from Saccaggi. Now it’s Libertas who have more inertia in their hands, but Papa makes it 60-60 with 1’44” to go. In the last minute Vico scores the triple to overtake 63-62 then has no luck in the following action. What breaks the bank is a penetration by Saccaggi with 2” left to make it 64-63. Garelli calls a double time out, the ball ends up in the hands of Papa who shoots to the basket and Tozzi does well to stop it. Now head to game 4.
Blacks Faenza – Akern Livorno 63-64 (16-21; 23-23; 49-42)
BLACKS FAENZA: Galassi, Papa 9, Poletti 2, Siberna 6, Vico 19, Naccari ne, Poggi 10, Ballarin ne, Bendandi ne, Petrucci 2, Pastore 4, Begarin 11. Coach: Garelli
AKERN LIVORNO: Buca, Bargnesi 13, Fratto 3, Williams 12, Fantoni 12, Vicenzini n, Tozzi 8, Ricci 3, Madeo n, Saccaggi 11, Allinei 2, Lucarelli n. All.: Andreazza
Referees: Barbieri – Silvestri
Note. Partial shots: 2-point shots: Faenza: 14/39, Livorno: 13/29. 3-pointers: Faenza: 6/23, Livorno: 8/34. Free throws: Faenza: 17/23, Livorno: 14/15. Rebounds: Faenza: 36, Livorno: 48.
Out for fouls: Williams and Ricci
Lucarell sent off in the 23rd minute for protests
