The two games that closed the fifth day of Serie A basketball have just ended. At 19:00 the UNAHotels Reggio Emilia hosted the Happy Casa Brindisi, while at 20:00 the GeVi Napoli faced Pallacanestro Trieste. Let’s find out how these two challenges went.
UNAHOTELS REGGIO EMILIA-HAPPY CASA BRINDISI 92-78 (27-27, 25-16, 19-16, 21-19)
Clear home success for UNAHotels Reggio Emilia, who defeated Happy Casa Brindisi 92-78 at PalaBigi in a match that remained balanced until the Emilians decided to take off and leave the guests at the post. The star of the evening is Michele Vitali, author of 20 points, together with Reuvers’ 17 (14 are those scored by Bowman on the Apulian front). First 10 ‘characterized by continuous blows and responses, with the two teams playing openly with no holds barred: we go to the first short rest with the score in perfect equality at 27-27. It is the Happy Casa who put the head first in the opening of the second quarter thanks to Bayehe (29-32), with Michele Vitali who is unleashed and in an amen brings Reggiana the lead (34-32). Brindisi drew once again with Reed (37-37), four points in a row by Olisevicius and Cinciarini bring Reggio Emilia to +6 (47-41). Burnell scores 2/2 on the line (49-43), but Vitali’s triple sets the score at 52-43 after the first half. Hopkins and Reuvers launch the 4-0 run at the start of the second half: UNAHotels breaks through the double-digit advantage (56-45). Perkins tries to keep him afloat (56-49), but five consecutive points from Reuvers restore the hierarchy (61-49). Max Menetti’s team never drops below 11-10, with the Apulians struggling to stay in the wake: at the third siren the Emilians lead 71-59. Bowman makes no mistake from the bow: the Happy Casa returns below the double-digit disadvantage (71-64) at the opening of the last quarter, with three free throws by Robertson and a place by Strautnis that are worth the new +12 Reggio Emilia (76- 64). The blue axis composed by Michele Vitali and Andrea Cinciarini produces four points for the maximum Emilian advantage at +20 (84-64) when there are just over five minutes to the final siren, with Brindisi who now seems resigned and no longer forces his hand groped for a desperate comeback when the credits begin to scroll: two free by Stefanini and one jumper di Mascolo fix the score at 92-78 with which Reggio Emilia wins the challenge, making the PalaBigi audience cheer.
TOP SCORER
Reggio Emilia: Vitali 20, Reuvers 17, Anim 11
Toasts: Bowman 14, Burnell 13, Perkins 12
Basketball, Serie A 2022-2023: joys in the final for Trento and Varese. Ok Milan, Tortona dominates Venice
GEVI NAPLES-TRIESTE BASKETBALL 92-95 dTs (26-16, 13-26, 21-16, 20-22, 12-17)
An overtime is needed in Trieste to break the resistance in Naples and thus find the first victory in this Championship: PalaBarbuto espuganto for 92-95 at the end of 45 ‘of authentic battle. The Neapolitans start better thanks to Williams (9-3), with Trieste trying to shorten thanks to Gaines’ free throws (14-7). The GeVi immediately touches the double-digit advantage with Stewart (17-7): the Friulians try not to lose ground with Videra and Bartley (20-13). A counterattack from Johnson and a free-kick from Howard set the score at 26-16 at the end of the first quarter. Corey opens the scoring in the second half (28-16), with Frank Gaines shortening with a triple of -8 (28-20). The American sets up on his own and places four more points: Trieste is there and is only two points away from Naples (28-26). Jordan Howard takes care of the bow to let the hosts breathe (31-26), with the guests who do not give up and even manage to put the arrow with Corey Davis’ bomb (37-38). Williams shortens (39-40), but Videra puts the ball on the board which is worth 39-42 with which Trieste closes the first half ahead. Williams immediately stamps the first basket of the second half in a dunk (41-42), but it is still the Giulians who make the game (43-47). However, Maurizio Buscaglia’s team manages to mend the tear and bring the match back on par with Robert Johnson’s heavy scoring (50-50). The former Cantù also hits the target by two (52-50), with Davis bringing Trieste back to the front shortly after (54-55). We fight point by point, with neither team able to take off: at the third siren Naples leads 60-58. The balance also remains in the last fraction, with a succession of baskets that exalt the audience of the PalaBarbuto in Naples. Bartley brings the advantage back to Trieste (62-65), with Stewart keeping the GeVi in contact from the bow (65-67). Johnson equalized the score (68-68): everything to be redone for Trieste, which thanks to Gaines puts its nose back in front (68-71). The Campania players are hard to die, and draw with Williams’ 2 + 1 (71-71). Davis crushes for the Friulian +2 (73-75), with Johnson (29 points for him tonight) replying to his opponent (75-75). Heartbreaking final: Bartley suspended for the new advantage of the guests (75-77), but Michineau at the edge of the siren supports on the counterattack for the equalizer bringing the challenge to overtime (80-80). Bartley from the arc for +3 (80-83), with Napoli finding a 6-2 run to get back the lead (88-85). Trieste returns to the front with Gaines (89-93), but GeVi does not want to give up and remains hooked with Howard’s triple (92-93). The overall 2/4 from the line of the Gaines-Bartley duo (40 points in two), together with Stewart’s error from the arc, fixes the score at 92-95 with which Trieste beats Naples and unlocks in this regular season.
TOP SCORER
Napoli: Johnson 23, Williams 20, Stewart 16
Trieste: Gaines 29, Bartley 21, Pacher 14
Credit: Ciamillo
