Pallacanestro Trieste returns to Hungary to compete for access to the Round of 16 of the Basketball Champions League. The red and whites left for Miskolc, where tomorrow, Tuesday 13 January at 5.30 pm, at the DVTK Arena, they will face NHSZ-Szolnoki Olajbányász in the decisive Game 3 of the play-ins.
Trieste arrives at the meeting after an intense weekend: last night at the PalaTrieste the red and whites closed the first round of the LBA with an important victory against Cantù (84-79), a result which also confirmed their qualification for the next Italian Cup. Opposite path for Szolnoki, who did not play at the weekend, having obtained the postponement of the championship match against Szedeak, and will be able to show up for Game 3 with fresh energy.
The series is in perfect parity (1-1) after two very different races in terms of pace and inertia, both full of technical ideas and key moments.
Gonzalez’s men start well, Brooks and Candussi are also a factor in attack in support of the usual Ramsey. 21-30 at the start of the second quarter, but the hosts find a good contribution from Somogyi in the double role of scorer and point guard.
Ramsey sets the score at 38-43 at halftime. In the second half, Trieste responded with a 7-0 run to Szolnoki’s initial 5-0 lead. Krnjajski is a puzzle for the Trieste defense, Ramsey from three for the 63-64 in the 30th minute.
Last 10 minutes at the start with Candussi who riddles the basket from long range, together with Toscano-Anderson brings Trieste to 69-78 with 6 minutes to go before the siren. Not even time to notice, and Somogyi triggers a 10-0 in two minutes to overtake. Very important triple by Ruzzier at 100 seconds to make it 82-85, Darthard brings his team back ahead when the teams enter the final minute. Trieste has the ball which is worth the Top16, Ruzzier makes a mistake but Brooks takes the rebound and scores 87-85!.
Ramsey and his teammates then enter Group L, where they will have to deal with La Laguna Tenerife, Dreamland Gran Canaria and Nymburk.
The guard is Trieste’s top scorer with 19 points, also highlighting the hero Brooks (14+7+2 steals), Toscano-Anderson and Candussi (14 in 12 minutes, 5/7 FG).
