Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù opened their Lba SisalClub 2026/27 campaign with an 84-85 overtime defeat against APU Old Wild West Udine at PalaDesio, dropping their record to 0-2 and raising concerns. reported that Filippo Calzavara secured the decisive basket on a drive with time winding down in the extra period, leaving Cantù winless through the first two rounds of the season in front of 3,795 spectators observing a pre-game moment of silence for Gabriele Pennati.
PalaDesio Overtime Thriller Ends in Defeat
The fixture at PalaDesio immediately established itself as a test between two sides looking to secure early-season stability in the league standings. APU Old Wild West Udine asserted control early behind their starting pivot, constructing an early 2-9 lead through high-percentage interior finishes and crucial offensive rebounds. Cantù responded through a quick offensive spark, as Keith Miles hit a jumper and Anthony Christon connected from beyond the arc to cap an 8-0 home run that gave the hosts their first lead of the evening.
The opening quarter remained tightly contested as Udine’s counterpart — operating through dynamic scoring from DaVonté Battle — answered with five quick points. Cantù captain Stefano Moraschini countered right before the shot-clock buzzer with a deep three-pointer to close the first frame at 20-18. Brianzoli carried that momentum into a 9-0 surge highlighted by Okeke rejecting Battle at the rim and converting a second-chance basket on the other end to extend the margin to six points, forcing a visiting time-out.
Udine Takes Lead Before Halftime Deadlock
Udine steadily chipped away at the deficit as Battle shouldered the scoring load with a 7-2 burst, followed by an eight-foot pull-up jumper from Iris Mobio that pushed the visitors ahead by four. Christon answered with a driving floater to level the score and nearly beat the second-quarter buzzer with an ambitious attempt from beyond midcourt, leaving both teams deadlocked at 36-36 at halftime.
The third period began with defensive lapses from Cantù as Sisko scored on consecutive drives, prompting head coach Nicola Vitucci to call a tactical timeout with his side trailing 39-43. Matteo Moretti compensated for a turnover by finishing in transition to restore parity, but former Cantù guard Lorenzo Bucarelli struck from distance to restore a five-point advantage for the Friulian visitors. Despite trips to the free-throw line by Jhivvan Flagg and Moraschini, Udine maintained the upper hand as Marcus McGlynn scored with a left-handed hook shot to establish a 56-58 edge heading into the final ten minutes of regulation.
Late Heroics Force Overtime Before Calzavara Secures the Win
Flagg opened the fourth quarter with a perimeter jump shot, but defensive breakdowns allowed K.J. Valentine to punish Cantù from the perimeter. With Spencer adding another putback to stretch Udine’s lead to five points near the 34th minute, Vitucci stopped play to reorganize his defense.
Late scoring from Anžejs Pasečņiks and Moraschini kept the hosts within striking distance. Moraschini delivered the crucial equalizer from the corner with just over a second remaining on the game clock, sending the match into an extra five minutes at 77-77. The overtime period featured a series of lead changes, highlighted by Flagg hitting a long two-pointer for a brief Cantù advantage. However, a defensive miscommunication between Moraschini and Christon opened the door for Calzavara, who drove through the lane for the decisive 84-85 basket before Christon’s desperate final shot rimmed out.
Upcoming Fixture at PalaDesio
Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù will return to the PalaDesio hardwood for their next home fixture on Sunday.
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