Tortona pays for Thursday’s effort with Udine and ends up ko on Wednesday again as Turin approaches
VOGHERA
Five minutes as leaders are not enough for Bertram to beat Mantua. After the remaining apathetic 35 ‘of low energy and bad percentages (56% to free, 19% from three points), Tortona comes one step away from completing the comeback: climbing from -17 to -3, Sanders’ equal ball ends on the second row. No comeback, two points to the Staff.
Mantova dictates the pace in attack and defense throughout the match, without Tortona having the strength to oppose. Energy discharge, after the excellent performance on Thursday with Udine, the Lions wake up, but it’s late. Without Tavernelli (muscle fatigue), coach Ramondino tries to alternate various plays to lead the team, with few results. Mantua reveals the moment of physical difficulty of the leaders who with Udine had been hidden by an amazing Sanders. But the calendar for the Lions remains ruthless because in three days the team will still be on the field in Udine, which yesterday lost against Turin which is a candidate (as expected) to take the top of the Green group. Thirty-five minutes at a slow pace.
The match
After the midweek effort to beat Udine, Tortona starts well, but it’s a flash in the pan. Ball in-out to find Cannon’s low post (13 points, most continuous) and winger cuts. Mantova ends only from the long run and shows good feeling with the PalaOltrepo iron scoring three consecutive bombs (56% final). The game goes on at a slow pace, as soon as Tortona accelerates it gives the feeling that it can detach the opponent (triple from D’Ercole), but the legs are soft. The game did not take off, the leaders got lazy closing the first quarter down by two points (20-18). The Stings continue to hammer from the long and even in the first part of the second fraction Bertram is forced to chase. Although Di Carlo’s guys waste the bonus in a short time, the Tortona energy is at a glance. With the quality of the individual Tortona remains in contact with the Stings who have no real leader, but a lot of substance from Ghersetti (9 points) and Infante (13). Mascolo collects points (10 in the first 20 ‘) and fouls (although he is inaccurate to the free throws) that keep the Bertram in the game. Cortese’s triple closes the first half (Stings ahead 38-34) and the situation does not change back on the parquet. The limbo in which the leaders falls is paid dearly: partial 11-0 (52-41) and only 7 points on the scoresheet after seven minutes.
Under 15 points a bomb by D’Ercole gives a small breath of fresh air (61-51), but the percentages from the long shot of Mantua do not drop and Mascolo’s fourth personal foul seems to mark the surrender. Then down 17 points (57-74), 5 ‘from the end, a flash illuminates the PalaOltrepo. Tortona shakes up relying on Ambrosin and Sanders and puts in a 15-0 run. Arrived at -1, twenty seconds from the end with the small quintet, Mantova sets two free throws with Veideman (77-74). Sanders’ triple ended on the second iron and Tortona’s specialists (the American, Ambrosin and Mascolo) close with a distressing 1/15 from the arc that tells, in part, the knockout. –