CREMONA, Italy – The Ferraroni Juvi Cremona secured a spot in the next round of the Serie A2 basketball play-in tournament on Tuesday, defeating Reale Mutua Torino 59-56 at the PalaRadi. The victory eliminates Torino from postseason contention, whereas Cremona advances to face Avellino on Sunday, May 3rd.
The game, played before a crowd of approximately 1,000 fans, was a tightly contested affair characterized by strong defense and offensive struggles for both teams. Cremona’s Simone Barbante was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match, delivering a double-double performance with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Billy Garrett returned to the lineup for Cremona, starting alongside Kadeem Allen, Gregorio Allinei, Andrea La Torre, and Matias Bortolin. Torino countered with Teague, Allen, Ghirlanda, Schina, and Severini in their starting five. The early stages of the game saw Torino take a slight lead, but Cremona quickly responded, fueled by a three-pointer from Allinei and strong interior play from Bortolin, who scored four early points.
A key stretch in the first quarter saw Cremona go on an 8-0 run, capped by a three-pointer from Garrett, extending their lead to 14-7. Barbante continued to contribute, adding a three-pointer and drawing a foul, though he missed the ensuing free throw that would have completed a four-point play. Cremona closed the first quarter leading 23-15.
Cremona continued to build their advantage in the second quarter, with contributions from Bartoli and Del Cadia pushing the lead to 28-15. Torino attempted to mount a comeback, with Allen and Ghirlanda scoring five consecutive points, prompting a timeout from Torino coach Bechi. The teams went into halftime with Cremona ahead by a few possessions.
The second half saw a continuation of the defensive intensity, with both teams struggling to find consistent offensive rhythm. The game remained closely contested throughout the final quarters, with neither team able to establish a significant lead. Cremona’s ability to execute in the closing moments proved to be the difference.
The final score of 59-56 reflects the hard-fought nature of the contest. Cremona’s victory secures their advancement in the play-in tournament, while Torino’s season comes to an end. For Torino, the loss marks the conclusion of a season that featured both promising moments and disappointment in the postseason.
Cremona will now travel to Avellino for their next play-in game on Sunday, May 3rd, with a scheduled tip-off time of 18:00 local time (16:00 UTC). The team will be looking to continue their momentum and secure a favorable position in the Serie A2 playoffs.
The elimination of Torino brings an end to their 2025/2026 campaign. The team will now begin the process of evaluating the season and planning for the future, with a focus on building a competitive roster for the next season.
Key Takeaways:
- Simone Barbante’s double-double performance was crucial for Cremona’s victory.
- The return of Billy Garrett provided a significant boost to Cremona’s offensive options.
- Torino’s season ends with a narrow defeat in the play-in tournament.
- Cremona advances to face Avellino in the next round of the play-in.
Fans can follow updates on the Serie A2 play-in tournament and Cremona’s progress on the official league website. The next confirmed checkpoint for Cremona is their game against Avellino on May 3rd. What are your thoughts on Cremona’s chances moving forward? Share your predictions in the comments below.
