BASKETBALL TRIESTE 76
BANCO DI SARDEGNA SASSARI 70
(20-16, 26-29, 44-49).
The signal arrived before the tap-off: thousands of torches lit, a constellation of smartphones that transformed the stands of the PalaRubini into a carpet of stars.
A show that seemed like the prelude to a perfect evening. In the end the victory over Sassari arrived, 76-70 in the final, thus achieving poker after the successes with Cantù, Szolnoki and Gran Canaria, but the route was more tortuous than expected.
The approach in the first quarter was good, where the red and whites played with attitude and fluidity. But then the light suddenly went out. For the two central quarters, Trieste appeared shaggy and lacking in rhythm, suffering the initiative of a tough Sassari and struggling to find the way to the basket. In the last quarter, Gonzalez’s team raised the revs, taking advantage of the guests’ physical decline. Uthoff’s triples and a sumptuous Ramsey dug the final furrow.
The start is the usual thrilling script for the hosts. Dinamo Sassari starts with their foot pressed on the accelerator: Buie and Ceron are surgical and with a perfect three out of three from the arc they immediately dig a deep furrow (1-9). Trieste staggers, but does not fall. Ramsey takes charge: the American suddenly lights up and, with two consecutive “bombs”, mends the gap. The Trieste comeback was completed within a few minutes.
In the 4th minute Brooks scores the 9-11, then Uthoff takes care of overtaking taking advantage of Dinamo’s drop in precision. The inertia is all for the red and whites: Ruzzier and Brown push Trieste up to +5, 16-11, forcing coach Mrsic to take refuge in a time-out to stop the bleeding. Upon returning to the field Sassari still appears dazed, but the rotations change the face of the match. While Trieste brings in fresh forces with Ross, Deangeli and Candussi, Dinamo finds lifeblood in Vincini. The big man had an excellent impact, allowing the Sardinians to limit the damage and close the first quarter down by just four points (20-16).
The start of the second period still seems to smile in Trieste. The +6 basket arrives on the Ross-Ramsey axis, followed by the maximum advantage signed by Candussi (24-16). But it’s a flash in the pan. Sassari suddenly finds the thread of the conversation: Buie starts dictating the pace again and Ceron strikes again, creating a very heavy break of 13-0. Trieste loses its way to the basket and is overtaken by McGlynn and a triple by Visconti at 24-29. Final basket by Brooks for 26-29.
Decisive change of gear for Trieste: Ramsey and Brown sign the red and white overtaking. In less than three minutes, the hosts scored the same points they scored in the entire second quarter, taking a 32-29 lead. Sassari, however, is not dismayed. Banco di Sardegna stays on track and overturns the inertia again with three strikes from Thomas. The plays of Vincini, Buie and Ceron consolidated the Sardinian advantage, bringing the score to 38-43 less than four minutes before the siren of the period. Trieste struggled terribly to find the way to the basket, penalized by a cold 4/26 from long range. On the other hand, Sassari manages without overdoing it, limiting himself to managing the pace. The third set thus ends with the guests ahead 44-49.
Brown’s triple, Ross’ free throws and Deangeli’s basket make it 53-51. Sassari seems to have run out of energy, Uthoff and Ramsey, with three points, provide precious oxygen by signing the 64-57 with just over 5′ to play, Ramsey again protagonist with the triple and the free throws of 72-63 with 3’39” from the end. Trieste no longer takes his foot off the pedal, continues to push and manages his advantage closing at 76-70.
TRIESTE BASKETBALL 76
BANCO DI SARDEGNA SASSARI 70
(20-16, 26-29, 44-49)
TRIESTE BASKETBALL: Ruzzier 2 (1/1, 0/2), Brown 7 (2/2, 1/6), Ramsey 24 (5/7, 4/7), Uthoff 10 (2/3, 2/10), Brooks 10 (3/5, 1/2). Ross 7 (0/1, 1/4), Toscano-Anderson 9 (1/2, 1/4), Deangeli 2 (1/1, 0/1), Candussi 5 (2/3, 0/1). Ne: Iannuzzi, Martucci, Sissoko. All. Gonzalez.
BANCO DI SARDEGNA SASSARI: Buie 13 (1/3, 3/8), Thomas 14 (5/9), Visconti 5 (0/1, 1/6), Ceron 12 (0/1, 4/10), Mcglynn 6 (3/4). Pullen 7 (1/3, 1/7), Zanelli 3 (1/1 from three), Vincini 8 (4/8), Mezzanotte 2. Ne: Johnson, Seck, Casu. All. Mrsic
REFEREES: Pepponi, Sahin, Dori.
NOTE: T.l. Tri 12/14, Sas 12/14. Rimb: Tri 39 (Brooks 8), Sas 36 (Thomas 10). Ass: Tri 18 (Ross 5), Sas 17 (Buie 9).
