Dole Rimini opened its preseason schedule with a dominant 68-44 victory over Serie B Nazionale side Andrea Costa Imola at the PalaSGR in Santarcangelo, according to local media reports. Under the format of the opening test, the score was reset at the conclusion of each quarter, allowing head coach Sandro Dell’Agnello’s squad to sweep the first three frames by margins of 26-16, 15-10, and 23-10 before Andrea Costa Imola claimed the final truncated period 8-4.
Leardini and Udom Lead the Way in Opening Preseason Run
Forward Leonardo Leardini anchored the winning effort for Rimini, earning the match MVP honors with a performance evaluation of 20. According to match statistics, Leardini finished with 12 points on flawless shooting—connecting on all three attempts from two-point range and both tries from beyond the arc—while adding five rimbalzi (rebounds), two assist (assists), and three steals.
New signing Davide Udom led all Rimini scorers with 15 points while drawing six fouls from the Imola defense. Former Imola player Simioni also reached double figures for Rimini, adding 12 points to round out the primary offensive contributors under Dell’Agnello’s tactical adjustments.
Imola Rotates Roster Amid Early Test Obstacles
On the opposing bench, head coach Matteo Dalmonte utilized deep rotations to test his roster during the Serie B Nazionale side’s first outing of the autumn. Wiltshire paced Andrea Costa Imola with a team-high 16 points. Despite flashes on the perimeter, the visitors struggled with offensive rhythm, committing several 24-second shot-clock violations throughout the afternoon.
The fixture provided both coaching staffs an early look at player conditioning and defensive schemes across both halves of the floor. Rimini integrated several new faces into its rotation as the club builds toward the upcoming Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro campaign.
Next Steps on the Preseason Calendar
Following the opening test at Santarcangelo, both squads maintain busy preseason schedules. According to regional reports, Dole Rimini was set to return to the floor for another derby fixture against Tema on the following day, continuing evaluations before the official league fixtures tip off.
