Trieste turned the tide in a challenging away game, starting strong with Uthoff’s extraordinary scoring spree and maintaining control over the home team for the majority of the match. The final moments saw a fierce battle for the crucial basket difference, with Ross sealing the victory in the closing seconds. The traveling fans left Reggio Emilia elated, and the team now looks ahead with optimism as they prepare for a demanding schedule in the weeks to come.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Uthoff dominated the opening minutes, scoring the first 10 points with a mix of three-pointers, jump shots, and layups.Winston broke the ice for UNAHOTELS with a one-on-one play, but Ross quickly responded with a long-range shot to extend Trieste’s lead to 6-15. Johnson’s layup and Uthoff’s continued brilliance pushed the visitors further ahead, reaching an 8-26 advantage.Vitali’s three-pointer briefly sparked hope for the home team, but Candussi matched it, maintaining Trieste’s 19-point lead. Winston’s free throws closed the first quarter at 13-30.
Valentine’s three-pointer and Candussi’s dunk extended Trieste’s lead to 15-35. UNAHOTELS fought back with a 7-0 run, fueled by Smith’s shooting and assists to Faye. However, Brown’s timely three-pointer kept Trieste in control at 22-38.A back-and-forth exchange between Winston and Brooks from beyond the arc followed, but Smith’s efforts kept Reggio Emilia in the game. Valentine and Ross continued to exploit transition plays, widening the gap to 32-47. Johnson and Brown’s contributions restored Trieste’s momentum, and Faried’s free throw ended the first half at 33-51.
Trieste started the second half with intensity, as Johnson dominated the paint and Brown hit consecutive three-pointers, pushing the lead to +22. Cheatham’s three-pointer and Winston’s drive briefly narrowed the gap to 41-63.Despite Faye and Barford’s efforts under the basket, Trieste’s sharpshooting from Valentine, Candussi, and Brown kept them ahead by 23 points, thwarting any hopes of a comeback (51-74).
Reggio Emilia rallied late in the third quarter with Chillo and Faried’s cuts and Grant’s three-point play,but Candussi’s basket ensured Trieste led 58-76 heading into the final period. Uglietti’s five-point burst kept the hosts in contention, but Valentine and Brown’s three-pointer steadied Trieste at 63-81. Winston’s alley-oop to Faye attempted to reignite Reggio Emilia’s hopes, but Ross and Johnson’s teamwork sealed the victory, overturning the first-leg deficit and finishing 81-96.
Brown led Trieste with 22 points, including 5/8 from three-point range, 6 assists, and a 26 rating. Uthoff followed with 18 points (7/8 shooting,24 rating),while Ross contributed 16 points and 6 assists. Valentine added 14 points and 5 rebounds.For Reggio Emilia, Winston’s 22 points and 8 assists (27 rating) and Faye’s 13 points were not enough to secure a win.
FINAL STATS
REGGIANA BASKETBALL – TRIESTE BASKETBALL: 81-96 Quarter Scores: 13-30 / 20-21 // 25-25 / 23-20
Reggiana Basketball: Barford 9, Gallo ne, Winston 22, Faye 13, Smith 7, Uglietti 7, Fainke ne, Vitali 3, Faried 3, Grant 3, Chillo 6, Cheatham 8. Coach: D. Priftis. Assistants: F. Fucà, G. Di Paolo.
Trieste Basketball: Obljubech ne, Ross 16, Reyes, Deangeli (k), Uthoff 18, Ruzzier, Campogrande ne, Candussi 10, Brown 2, Brooks 5, Johnson 11, Valentine 14. Coach: J. Christian. Assistants: F. Taccetti, F. Nanni, N. Schlitzer.
Referees: Lo Guzzo, Bettini, Noce.
Keep Trieste in control. The first quarter ended with Trieste leading 25-18,thanks to their precise execution and Uthoff’s hot hand.
The second quarter saw a shift in momentum as UNAHOTELS tightened their defense, forcing Trieste into a series of turnovers. Riccardo Cervi sparked the home team’s resurgence with back-to-back dunks, narrowing the gap to just three points. However, Trieste remained composed, and a clutch three-pointer by Michele Ruzzier restored their led to 42-36 at halftime.
After the break, Trieste came out with renewed energy, capitalizing on UNAHOTELS’ missed opportunities. Uthoff continued to shine, delivering a highlight-reel block followed by a transition three-pointer.Despite a valiant effort from UNAHOTELS’ Andrea Cinciarini, who orchestrated the offense with pinpoint passes, Trieste extended their lead to 65-55 by the end of the third quarter.
The final quarter was a rollercoaster, with both teams exchanging blows in a high-intensity battle. UNAHOTELS mounted a late comeback, fueled by threes from Omar Thomas and a timely steal by Winston. With just two minutes remaining,the game was tied at 75-75,setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
In the closing moments, trieste’s experience shone through. Ross, who had been relatively quiet in the second half, stepped up with a game-winning floater in the dying seconds, sealing a hard-fought 77-75 victory. The traveling Trieste fans erupted in celebration, while UNAHOTELS were left to rue missed opportunities.
KEY STATS
- Jarrod Uthoff (Trieste): 26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks
- Davide Ross (Trieste): 15 points, including the game-winner
- Andrea Cinciarini (UNAHOTELS): 12 points, 9 assists
- Omar Thomas (UNAHOTELS): 18 points, 4 rebounds
POST-GAME REACTIONS
- Trieste’s Head Coach: “This was a testament to our resilience. Uthoff was phenomenal, and Ross showed why he’s our closer. We’ll enjoy this tonight, but we know tougher challenges await.”
- Jarrod uthoff: “It’s always great to start strong, but it’s a team effort.We stuck together, and that’s why we got the win.”
- UNAHOTELS’ Coach: “We had our chances, but credit to Trieste for executing when it mattered most. We’ll learn from this and bounce back.”
Trieste’s victory in Reggio Emilia marks a important step forward as they look to build momentum in the coming weeks. For UNAHOTELS,it’s a reminder that every possession counts in tightly contested games. The season is long,and both teams will undoubtedly use this game as a learning experience moving forward.
what are your thoughts on Trieste’s performance? Do you think Uthoff’s dominance early in the game was the key to their success, or was it Ross’s clutch shot that made the difference? Let’s discuss!
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