With the new year, the return round also begins for the Knights who, like in the first leg, play the first match against Vicenza.
Both teams at full strength, with the Venetians replacing injured Ucles for the rest of the season with Udras.
Vicenza immediately started strong with Vanin and Preti, who put together the initial 11-3, with Legnano ready to respond with Scali’s initiatives and Matroianni’s free throws.
After the initial outburst, Vicenza had to go to Udras to move the scoreboard, but Legnano picked up the pace and thanks to Stepanovic and Scali, found themselves at -1 at 16-15, with Riva’s basket and De Capitani’s triple giving them +4 at 16-20, before Marangoni’s heavy shot, which sent the fourth to the archive at 19-20.
The red and white’s good moment can also be seen in Cizauskas’ triple at 21-23, even if Vicenza finds an excellent finisher in Preti who, together with Udras’ triples, gives Vicenza a 7-point lead again at 34-27.
This score remains on the scoreboard for several minutes, until Stepanovic’s free throws and Gasparin’s triple move the score again.
Two supports from Oboe from below bring the Knights closer to 37-36, with the quarter ending in favor of Vicenza who, again with Preti, sets the score at 43-38.
The start of the third period is freezing for Legnano, who confirms the winter temperatures of these days, breaking the ice only after reaching -8 at 46-38, a score achieved thanks to Vanin and Da Campo.
Legnano is rather tired and Gasparin and Vanin punish it with points of -11 at 52-41, the first and only double-digit advantage for Vicenza.
Here comes the important reaction from SAE Scientifica Soevis with Stepanovic and De Capitani from 3 and a double counterattack from Scali for the counter break of 52-51.
De Capitani’s new triple and Mastroianni’s basket close the positive run to 52-56, with the quarter ending with the same difference at 57-61.
Now Legnano leads the way and after less than 2′ from the start of the fourth period it is +7 at 61-68, again with Scali and Stepanovic.
Vicenza doesn’t agree and breaks with Carr, Da Campo and Udras for -1 at 67-68.
A double triple from Sodero interspersed with a basket from Da Campo allows the Knights to reach +7 at 74-81 with about 3′ to go.
Some collective fear and some uncertainty cost the Knights the draw at 81-81 with Gasparin leading the comeback.
Cizauskas from 2, then Stepanovic’s triple and Mastroianni’s dunk, however, made the Knights fly again, who closed easily 84-88, despite some final errors from the line.
An important victory that is worth double, because it was away and because it was 2-0 in direct matches, against a very well prepared team that will occupy the top areas of the table at the end of the year.
A good start that the Knights hope to be able to replicate in the coming weeks, starting on Sunday at 6pm against Lumezzane.
