Thanks to a performance full of heart and grit, an excellent one Water S.Bernardo Basketball Cantù wins the big match against the Vanoli Cremona 68-58 and rises to 28 in the Serie A2 Group Green standings (+6 over the Cremonese). Seasonal attendance record at the PalaFitLine in Desio with 3,804 spectators. For Cantù it is the twelfth consecutive success in the championship. Thrilling choreography by the Eagles, who also remembered the late Mihajlovic and Vialli with a banner.
The record
Coach Sacchetti launches a quintet with Rogic, Bucarelli, Severini, Baldi Rossi and Hunt. Immediately 6-0 for the premises with the bombs of Bucarelli and Baldi Rossi. Cannon unblocks him, then Eboua steals the ball from Bucarelli and goes to -2. Challenge between USA pivots with the back and forth between Hunt and Cannon, then Baldi Rossi puts in his second triple (11-6). It continues with a basket from Eboua, then Cantù scores a 6-0 break (17-8 at the siren).
It is Mobio who unlocks the score in the second quarter from outside with the first triple guest, followed by Piccoli’s bomb and Vanoli goes to -1 (18-17). Cremona puts his physicality and athleticism into it, even with a few shots on the edge. Hunt from below puts in the first Canturino basket of the second quarter after three minutes. The PalaFitLine catches fire when first Eboua (coach) and then Mobio stop Nikolic for a foul on the counterattack: five trips from the line by the Italian-Serbian send the hosts up 25-19. It’s Nikolic’s moment who also makes the 27-19 his own. Baldi Rossi recovers the ball from Tabu and dunks in transition for +10 (29-19). Mobio gives oxygen to him from long range 29-22. Cremona is not accurate with shooting and Cantù takes advantage of it with Rogic from outside plus Hunt and Bucarelli for free throws (35-24). Backlash from coach Cavina’s men with a 0-5 from Tabu from outside and Pecchia (35-29). Cantù shot better in the first half: 48% against 37% for the visitors.
Back on the field it’s 0-4 Vanoli with Tabu and Eboua. Hunt unblocks Cantù, but Alibegovic scores two in a row to equalize at 37. On 25′ comes the second bomb from Rogic, who then also scores the basket for 42-39. Continuous back and forth: Hunt and Nikolic say no to Alibegovic and Denegri (46-43). Cannon raises his voice for the Cremonese, but Cantù is alive and replies to Denegri’s free throws with a basket from Da Ros at the end (48-45). For Vanoli 12-2 in second chance points and 17-11 in points from the bench.
Fourth fraction: partial 6-0 enriched by the third triple by Baldi Rossi (54-45). Da Ros keeps a good guard on defensive rebounds (5 in the last period), while Cremona unlocks himself with Caroti from outside (56-48). There isn’t any for the guests, because Hunt shoulders with a freer basket and certifies the +11 in the 35th minute (59-48). The Canturini manage in the final and win 68-58. However, Baldi Rossi’s triple on the buzzer didn’t serve to overturn the difference between baskets, given that the Cremona side won with an 11-point difference in the first leg. Standing ovation from the PalaFitLine for Hunt, author of a 20-point test with 22 evaluation (pallacanestrocantu.com).
The scoreboard
S.Bernardo Cantù water: Rogic 13, Bucarelli 5, Severini, Baldi Rossi 11, Hunt 20; Stefanelli 5, Da Ros 4, Nikolic 8, Berdini 2. Ne: Brembilla, Meroni. All.: Bags
Vanoli Cremona: Tabu 5, Denegri 4, Eboua 6, Alibegovic 6, Cannon 12; Pecchia 7, Caroti 7, Piccoli 5, Mobio 6. Ne: Ndzie. All.: Cavina
Partial: 18-11, 17-18, 13-16, 20-13.
Referees: Almerigogna, Gagliardi, De Biase
