RIETI – Fortitudo Bologna defends the field factor and condemns Real Sebastiani Rieti to defeat (75-59) also in game 2 of the Serie A2 Playoff semi-final. At PalaDozza the amarantocelesti are unable to worry Fortitudo who is more concrete and makes the most of all the advantages, physical and in terms of rotation, to move ahead 2-0 in the series. Spanghero is the only one in double figures for Sebastiani. Friday game 3 at PalaSojourner: Rieti will play to stay in the race, Bologna to close the series and fly to the final.
First quarter
A start with a different pace compared to that of game 1 with more present attacks.
For Bologna more precision from the arc with Fantinelli and Aradori trying to break through by responding to Sarto (13-7). Sebastiani stays in touch with Sanguinetti’s three-point play and works under Petrovic’s basket (14-12). Fortitudo’s physicality makes itself felt on the rebound (12 to 6 in the first period) and then with experience Panni and Aradori earn trips to the line to extend, while captain Spanghero tries to contain the bleeding: the first quarter ends 24-17 .
Second quarter
Bologna has the inertia of the match, Rieti in confusion in the first three minutes sees four offensive fouls whistled and then Sergio and Fantinelli can support for the 30-17. Sebastiani struggles to keep up with the pace of the Bolognese but tries to grab a few points with Sarto and Spanghero (35-23). Ogden punishes from afar, Morgillo scores the plus 17 but Rieti with Petrovic and Johnson’s triple at the end reduces the margin ahead of the second half: at half-time Bologna is ahead 40-28.
Third fourth
Bologna regains pace with threes with Aradori and Ogden but Rieti finds the back of the net with Sarto and Petrovic (46-35). The hosts’ Americans are solid and allow Bologna to go within 16 (55-39). A Jazz Johnson well limited by the physical defense of coach Caja’s team finds four points in a row, but Ogden’s running basket closes the third period (57-43).
Fourth quarter
Rieti does not break the deadlock in the offensive half of the field with three-point percentages decreasing and Bologna on the counterattack extends to plus 19 with Fantinelli (62-43). Fantinelli and Panni allow Fortitudo to take a 20-point lead (68-46). In the final management of energy by both teams, Bologna manages the advantage: Rieti falls 75-59, Fortitudo ahead 2-0 in the series.
Scoreboards
Fortitudo Bologna – Real Sebastiani Rieti 75-59
Partial scores: 24-17; 16-11; 17-15; 18-16
Quintets
Fortitudo Bologna: Fantinelli, Aradori, Bolpin, Ogden, Freeman
Real Sebastiani Rieti: Nobile, Johnson, Sarto, Petrovic, Ancellotti
Fortitudo Bologna: Sergio 3, Aradori 11, Conti 2, Natalini, Bolpin, Panni 8, Kuznetsov, Fantinelli 12, Giuri, Freeman 18, Ogden 19, Morgillo 2. Coach Caja
Real Sebastiani Rieti: Sarto 8, Sanguinetti 4, Petrovic 8, Piccin 4, Ancellotti 2, Johnson 9, Raucci 2, Poom, Italiano 7, Nobile 4, Spanghero 11. Coach Rossi
Referees: Gianluca Gagliardi from Anagni (FR), Jacopo Pazzaglia from Pesaro and Alberto Perocco from Ponzano Veneto (TV)
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