Lucio Redivo’s 48-Point Masterclass Lifts Cividale to 85-69 Playoff Win Over Rimini
Lucio Redivo etched his name into Italian basketball history on Saturday night, scoring a staggering 48 points to power Ueb Gesteco Cividale to an 85-69 victory over Rinascita Basket Rimini in Game 2 of the Serie A2 playoff semifinals. The performance, which included 27 points in the third quarter, secured a 1-1 series tie and shifted the momentum to Rimini’s Flaminio Arena for the next two games.
A Historic Outburst
Redivo’s 48-point explosion marked a new playoff-era record for Serie A2, surpassing the previous mark of 46 set by Carlton Myers in 1995. The Argentine guard shot 10-of-18 from the field, 6-of-9 from three-point range, and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line, earning a game-high 39 efficiency rating. His third-quarter onslaught alone accounted for 27 points, including four three-pointers, as Cividale outscored Rimini 34-16 in the period.
The feat also broke the Serie A2 playoff scoring record, with Redivo’s total eclipsing the previous 46-point mark. The 48-point benchmark remains a national all-time playoff record, though it falls short of the 87 points Carlton Myers scored in a 1995 regular-season game for Rimini.
Game Highlights: Cividale’s Defensive Intensity
Cividale’s victory was fueled by a suffocating defensive effort, holding Rimini to just 69 points while forcing 18 turnovers. The Friulian side’s 2-3 zone defense disrupted Rimini’s offensive rhythm, particularly in the second half when Cividale extended its lead to as many as 20 points.
Rimini, which had stunned Cividale in Game 1, struggled to match Redivo’s intensity. Despite four players scoring in double figures—Matteo Marini (18), Tommaso Alipiev (17), Leonardo Leardini (15), and Luca Camara (12)—the team’s lack of a consistent second scorer proved costly. Rimini’s bench contributed just 12 points, compared to Cividale’s 38 off the bench.
Series Implications and Next Steps
The 1-1 series tie sets up a pivotal showdown in Rimini, where Cividale will face the daunting challenge of overcoming a home-court advantage. Game 3 is scheduled for May 26 at 20:45 local time (18:45 UTC) at the PalaFlaminio, with Game 4 set for May 28 at the same venue. Both games will be broadcast on Rai, ensuring a national audience for the showdown.
“This represents a huge moment for our team,” said Cividale head coach Stefano Pillastrini in postgame remarks. “Lucio’s performance was extraordinary, but we know Rimini will come back stronger. We need to stay focused and keep playing as a unit.”
Historical Context and Legacy
Redivo’s 48-point game is the second-highest single-game total in Serie A2 history, behind only Myers’ 87-point regular-season feat. The Argentine guard, who joined Cividale mid-season, has become a cornerstone of the team’s playoff run. His ability to carry the offense in the absence of key players—such as Marco Freeman, who sat out Game 2 due to a minor injury—has solidified his reputation as one of the league’s most clutch performers.
Rimini’s head coach Alberto Dell’Agnello acknowledged the challenge of facing Redivo: “He’s a once-in-a-generation talent. We tried everything to stop him, but he made the right plays at the
