Playoff semi-finals, Palafiera leads Unieuro: it’s 1-0 against Udine

Unieuro Forlì, driven by the 3,515 spectators of the Palafiera, beats Old WIld West Udine with the score 72-70 at the end of a balanced match and goes 1-0. The first challenge of the semifinals did not see an absolute master in the span of 40 minutes: the maximum extension was for the red and white with 9 points, but coach Carlo Finetti’s team has always had the ability to get back on track, driven by a super Isaiah Briscoe, author of 21 points. Unieuro shot with 38.6%, a percentage marked by 2 out of 22 from the arc. But it prevailed under the rebounding boards, 50 to 39. Mvp of the red and white was Lorenzo Benvenuti, 14 points and 6 rebounds for a 17 rating. Good return to the field by Vincent Sanford, 13 points. In double figures also Nathan Adrian with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Fabio Valentini with 10 points.

The beginning of the match is balanced, played point by point up to 10 all. Then it’s the black and whites who put their nose forward, finishing 15-19, with Terry scoring 9 points, while Unieuro pays for the lack of accuracy from the arc, with none of the seven attempts being scored. In the second period, a run of 11-3 is worth 26-22, complete with a triple from Valentini. Two dunks in a row by Gazzotti and Adrian launch Unieuro up 30-24, with Finetti calling timeout. Five in a row by Briscoe immediately put the Apu back in the wake. After two free throws by Penna, Briscoe’s bomb is worth 32 all. It goes on point by point, with the first half ending 37-35. After the interval, the American duo Adrian-Sanford scores +8 (43-35). After Briscoe’s triple of 45-40, Unieuro extends with a run of 6-2, with the new maximum lead of 9 points (51-42). Gap that the guests immediately close with a 9-0 run, interrupted by Adrian’s triple. Six points in a row of Welcome are worth the new +9 (60-51). It’s Gaspardo’s triple that closes the period at 60-54. Benvenuti continues to be on fire even at the beginning of the final period, but Udine is back within 4 with Briscoe’s free kick and Monaldi’s bomb. The advantage goes back to +7 with a sequence of free throws (71-64), with Martino calling timeout after Esposito’s basket. Unieuro no longer scores and Briscoe at 1’05 scores the triple of -1. 10 seconds from the end Pollone is surgical from the line (2/2, foul by Briscoe) and Udine fails to score in the last possession.