Virtus Segafredo Bologna conquers the Bertram Derthona Tortona parquet and confirms itself at the top of the rankings. After the match against Tortona, coach Banchi spoke in the press conference: “I think it is right to congratulate both teams for playing a high-intensity match, a starter for the playoffs. We provided 40 minutes of good intensity, with some errors made in the offensive phase, the result of turnovers caused by Tortona’s determination. From a defensive point of view we suffered from their ability to open the pitch and at half-time we were forced to ask for more attention and discipline: we managed to carry out our task from this point of view. A victory that gains value given Tortona’s record in this second round.”
THE MATCH
The news (Source: LBA Press Office) – Triples from Strautins and Severini immediately build the home side’s lead, Hackett’s bomb and Dunston’s support subsequently bring the Bianconeri to -1, but Tortona is able to keep them at bay the guests’ raids to avoid a comeback (13-9); Virtus Segafredo finds the first advantage in the match with a 2-8 partial with Cordinier, Shengelia, Hackett and Zizic, but Dowe’s triple closes the first quarter at 18-17 for the Piedmontese.
The second quarter is all Bolognese-tinged: Zizic goes on his own and, aided by Lomasz, scores a 0-10 run that completely overturns the inertia of the match; despite Weems’ shot from behind the arc (21-27), the guests rejected any attempt to be caught again with the Hackett-Cordinier duo.
Bertram Derthona mends the gap with a 7-0 run with Ross as the protagonist, who then together with Radosevic puts the score level at 36-36; coach Banchi’s team gets back ahead with Abass’ basket, Baldasso’s triple ties the score, but it is Shengelia’s support that sends the teams to halftime at 39-41.
Pajola’s triple breaks the deadlock at the start of the second half, but the home team inflicts an 8-2 run with Obasohan’s triple, Weems’ three-point play and Thomas’ support which are worth the overtaking; the Hackett-Belinelli combo gives the advantage back to Bologna, Weems puts Tortona back on +1, however Shengelia becomes the protagonist of the 2-10 partial which brings Virtus Segafredo to 51-58.
The following minutes saw only baskets with the clock stopped until Belinelli’s jumper before Weems responded and Dunston closed the half hour of play at 55-65. Baldasso’s free throw and Radosevic’s bomb bring Bertram Derthona closer to their opponents, Polonara and Abass, however, are able to reject the comeback attempt back at the sender; the Piedmontese number 43 scores five points in a row, but Cordinier – with the help of Polonara and Shengelia – becomes the author of the 2-7 break which brings Bologna back to a double-digit lead (66-77).
Thomas’ support and Dowe’s shots with the clock stopped push for Tortona’s new attack: Obasohan’s jumper and Weems’ triple help the partial rise to 9-2, bringing the hosts to -4; However, the last Bolognese outburst was the decisive one with Polonara and Shengelia definitively closing the score before Ross and Abass’s free throws adjusted the score to the final 77-84.
THE SCORESHEET
Bertram Derthona Tortona vs Virtus Segafredo Bologna: 77 – 84
(Q1 18 – 17; Q2 38 – 41; Q3 55 – 65)
Bertram Derthona Tortona: Zerini, Ross 11, Dowe 5, Candi, Tavernelli ne, Strautins 7, Baldasso 4, Severini 3, Obasohan 12, Weems 13, Thomas 12, Radosevic 10.
Coach: De Raffaele
Virtus Segafredo Bologna: Cordinier 11, Belinelli 6, Pajola 5, Dobric, Mascolo 1, Lomazs 3, Shengelia 15, Hackett 11, Polonara 9, Zizic 11, Dunston 4, Abass 8.
Coach: Banchi
Referees: B. ATTARD – A. VALZANI – D. VALLERIANI
