Endless race at PalaOltrepo, 28 points from Cannon and 17 from Bruno Mascolo are not enough for Tortona
VOGHERA
After two extra times Ravenna recovers from -15 and folds Tortona. Orasì, in overtime with a small quintet because the longs are out due to fouls, has the better of Leoni with a free from Simioni. Series 1-1 with the next match at the home of Romagna on Saturday. Cannon (28 points) and Mascolo (17) are not enough to tame Cinciarini (19) and Rebec (21).
At the PalaOltrepo Tortona’s black vests play a first quarter of a great level (28-16), which however is not enough. The pace on the pitch is high and is pulled with good percentages: Severini stops and scores, Mascolo scores 8 points in the first six minutes (10-7 for Tortona). Rebec leads Orasì’s attack which struggles to pierce the Juventus defense. As in the first match, Ambrosin gives a small push to the match with a three-point basket (with a foul) that allows Tortona to go further (19-12). The superiority under the scoreboards of the Lions translates into double possessions with Severini already at 7 rebounds after a time. Tortona pulls well from the long run: Gazzotti’s bomb closes the fourth with a double-digit advantage (28-16). Forced to chase, Ravenna raises aggression, but Tortona remains with his head on the race. After the prolific start in the second quarter basket, the defenses become the protagonists. The frenzy and a few baskets affect the quality of the game that slips towards the long siren after a miserable period (11-8) that plays with the Lions who close the first half 39-24. The Tortonesi suffer from the usual missed pass and Ravenna is back in the game. The physical defense of the opponents is a thorn in the side of the bianconeri, the Orasì manages to keep Fabi out of the match and with two bombs from the former Venuto he makes contact again (47-51). After a partial of 28-17, the Bertram from +15 is defending a small minibreak (56-52). In the end, each ball becomes a battle, but Tortona returns more in control. Orasì always remains in the game until one minute from the end when Rebec places the triple of parity. Fabi, kept out of the game until that moment, doesn’t tremble from the long shot (73-72), then Cannon (20 points) takes care of putting the +3 on the iron. But Cinciarini is not there and, after an ingenuity by Sanders (foul in attack), he scores the equalizer that brings the match to overtime.
Verdict after two overtime
Rebec to the free does not take advantage of the opportunity to close and goes to the second overtime (87-87). With the longs out for 5 fouls, the small quintet of the Orsi only pulls from the long, but does not give up and and with Simioni from the line condemns the Bertram who wastes a big opportunity to channel the series. Silver billboard (Game 2): Turin-Mantua 84-56 (2-0), Verona-Urania 81-78 (2-0), Forlì – Eurobasket Rome 85-62 (1-1), Tortona – Ravenna 97-98 (1-1). —