Away defeat for the Virtus Siena, which falls 71-66 on the parquet of the Sibe Prato at the end of a match that saw the rossoblu chase from the first minutes and then strike up a comeback in the last quarter which was not enough to win the 2 points, with the hosts good at maintaining the right coolness to score the baskets decisive in the final.
Match that begins immediately uphill for the rossoblu, who start the match with wet powders. Prato took advantage of it and immediately signed the first break, moving forward 14-4, a gap that the rossoblu will no longer be able to fill. The hosts stretch up to 19-4, then comes a mini reaction from the virtussians, who continue to argue with the iron and commit fouls that send their opponents to the line. Prato controls the pace and closes the first fraction with the advantage 25-12.
The second period begins along the lines of the first, with Virtus building good shots without being able to finalize them; the Sibe thus flies on 31-15. Olleia tries to take the attack on her shoulders scoring some approaching baskets, but the rossoblu defense gives too much above all to offensive rebound, where Prato punishes with constancy by extending to 40-23. Virtus reacts with pride by tightening the shirts in defense and building a 6-0 run, but Prato soon takes over the reins of the match, leading the game to the long interval on the 45-32.
It is a different Virtus that enters the field in the second half: the rossoblu try to impose their own rhythm on the game, but are faced with a concentrated Prato capable of withstanding the impact. Acea returns to -10 (51-41), then twice Bartoletti brings it back under the double figure of disadvantage, but on both occasions first Navicelli and then Staino answer him, allowing the hosts to close the third period on 58-48.
In the last quarter, Prato manages the advantage, but Virtus raises the defensive pressure, starting the comeback. Nepi’s triple from the corner gives Acea a -8, then Nepi himself together with Bruno brings the rossoblu back to just one possession at a distance of 66-63. In the moment of greatest difficulty for Sibe it is Smecca who scores an important triple that gives the hosts a new +6 with 1.30 from the end. The score stops until Lenardon’s triple with 12 seconds left. Virtus is forced to make a foul and sends Magni to the line, who closes the game with a 2/2 that leaves no hope for the rossoblu, who come out defeated 71-66.
SIBE BASKETBALL 2000 PRATO – ACEA VIRTUS SIENA 71-66
(25-12; 45-3; 58-48)
LAWN: Manfredini ne, Marini 7, Danesi 13, Magni 9, Staino 5, Navicelli 7, Saccenti ne, Pittoni ne, Smecca 12, Zardo ne, Pacini 2, Vannini 16. All. Pinelli.
VIRTUE: Bartoletti 8, Pacciani ne, Avdiu, Bianchi 5, Bruno 8, Olleia 15, Lenardon 5, Nepi 21, Zambonin 1, Braccagni 3, Francini ne, Costantini ne. All. Spinello
