Milan wins the battle with Casale and conquers, for the second time in history, the place in the playoffs, 75-68. Vibrant match with a second half full of tension, a monumental Hill pushes the Wildcats to success (21 with 9 rebounds), illuminating the direction of Montano (12 with 10 assists), the undercurrent work of captain Piunti and Pullazi is precious.
THE RACE
Better at the start Casale who takes advantage of Martinoni and Sarto’s plays, Justice shoots as many as 8, 0-8. Amato unlocks Milan after more than three minutes with a triple, the guests are always in command thanks to Carver, 5-8. The rossoblu attack lights up, two paws from Pullazi and Hill, from Potts the minus 1 from the arc, 13-14. The pace rises and also the conclusions in transition of Amato and his companions, two precious things of captain Piunti give the overtaking to Urania who closes ahead at the first siren, 23-19. Casale Monferrato relies on the experience of Martinoni and Formenti, the response on the Piunti-Montano axis, 33-28, is immediate. Race without a boss, Milanese flare-ups that are immediately put down by Sarto and his companions, 37-33. Script unchanged in the final quarter, a shoulder from Pullazi and two raids from Ellis make it 44-39 at the long break.
The Wildcats were less reactive after the interval, they attacked the Casale Monferrato match more, Leggio impacted at 48 with a comfortable support. There is also the overtaking with Valentini’s escape on the counterattack, Montano keeps Milan in the running with a triple that is 55-55 at the penultimate siren. Tension rises and the match becomes a battle, Captain Piunti, Urania’s driver with Hill, is exalted, Casale does not let go and stays in contact with Ellis, 62-61. Many errors on both sides, Hill finds precious points but the Wildcats do not close the match with two consecutive possessions. Ellis tries the last assault but it’s late, with glacial calm Prince Montano manages free throws and decisive possessions, the final 75-67.
Urania Milan – Novipiù Monferrato Basket 75-67 (23-19, 21-20, 11-16, 20-12)
Urania Milan: Kyndahl Hill 21 (8/9, 0/1), Giddy Potts 13 (2/4, 2/7), Matteo Montano 12 (2/4, 2/5), Rei Pullazi 11 (2/3, 2/6), Giorgio Piunti 8 (0/0, 2/2), Andrea Amato 6 (0/1, 2/9), Michele Ebeling 4 (2/6, 0/6), Simone Valsecchi 0 (0/ 0, 0/0), Edoardo Pezzola 0 (0/0, 0/0), Andrea Marra 0 (0/0, 0/0), Matteo Cavallero 0 (0/0, 0/0)
Free throws: 13 / 18 – Rebounds: 33 9 + 24 (Kyndahl Hill 9) – Assists: 20 (Matteo Montano 10)
Novipiù Monferrato Basket: Niccolo Martinoni 13 (4/8, 1/2), Kodi Justice 12 (4/7, 1/8), Gianmarco Leggio 12 (3/5, 2/4), Quinn Ellis 10 (3/10 , 0/1), Alvise Sarto 8 (1/2, 2/7), Matteo Formenti 6 (0/1, 2/2), Aaron Carver 4 (2/6, 0/0), Luca Valentini 2 (1 /1, 0/0), Lorenzo Mele 0 (0/0, 0/0), Karl Markus Poom 0 (0/0, 0/0), Matteo Ghirlanda 0 (0/0, 0/0)
Free throws: 7 / 10 – Rebounds: 30 7 + 23 (Aaron Carver 8) – Assists: 17 (Kodi Justice 4)
