Solbat Golfo Piombino suffered their third defeat, dropping an 88-66 decision to Tema Sinergie Faenza. The home side failed to mount a technical or mental response after a bright start, collapsing in the second and third quarters in a script eerily similar to their recent loss against Livorno.
Early Scoring Gives Way to Defensive Vulnerabilities
Piombino attacked effectively during the opening 10 minutes, mirroring their start against Livorno by sinking five of seven three-point attempts. Niccolò Pistolesi shot two-for-two from deep, while Niccolò Moffa, Tommaso Gatto, and Marco Menconi also contributed to a 26-26 deadlock after the first quarter. Despite the offensive output, Piombino’s defense flashed severe warning signs by conceding easy baskets and relying on fouls to stop the visitors.
Faenza Pulls Away in the Second Quarter
Fatih Mehmedoviq briefly pushed Piombino ahead 30-28 three minutes into the second period. However, Faenza answered with an 8-0 run. Although a basket from Gatto and a three-pointer by Gabriele Ferraresi momentarily slowed the momentum, Faenza closed the half with an 11-5 burst to take a 40-50 lead into the intermission. Faenza shot 70 percent from two-point range before halftime, exposing the hosts’ interior defensive frailties.
Third-Quarter Collapse Seals the Outcome
Piombino’s remaining hopes evaporated in the third frame when consecutive misses from mid-range on a 47-54 deficit halted their progress. Faenza capitalized immediately, constructing a 16-5 run over the final six minutes of the quarter to stretch the advantage to 18 points. Piombino shot a dismal three-for-20 from beyond the arc across the final two quarters, managing only 26 points total in the second half as Faenza cruised to the 88-66 victory.
Box Score and Standings Implications
Nik Raivio and Marco Menconi led Piombino with 12 points apiece, with Raivio grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing three assists. Davide Meluzzi added 11 points, Moffa scored nine, Mehmedoviq chipped in eight, Pistolesi finished with six, Gatto had five, and Ferraresi contributed three. For Faenza, Eimantas Stankevicius and Gianmarco Bertetti paced the attack with 18 points each, while Luca Campori, Francesco Marcucci, and Raffaele Romano added 11, 10, and 10 points respectively. Faenza made 29 of 34 free throws compared to Piombino’s eight of 10. Piombino must now prepare to face Siena on Sunday.
