The CUS Trieste men’s basketball team suffered its first loss of the season on Friday, falling 66-55 to Percorso Sicurezza on the road. The defeat came in a fourth-round matchup of the DR2 Girone Trieste Gorizia league, a tournament the university team had entered with an unblemished record.
The game, hosted at the Palestra di San Canzian d’Isonzo in Gorizia, was a significant test for CUS Trieste, as they faced one of the more well-equipped sides in the competition.
Game Breakdown: A Tale of Four Quarters
The game unfolded with a clear pattern, dictated largely by the performance of both teams in the decisive third quarter. CUS Trieste, coached by Alessandro Meden, started with a lineup featuring Tommaso Millo at the play, supported by Luca Ladoni, Giacomo Martin, Nicolò Giurgevich, and pivot Umberto Franceschetto.
The first quarter was controlled by the home team. Despite contributions from Ladoni and Millo for the visitors, Percorso Sicurezza built a lead, largely on the strength of three-point shooting. The hosts knocked down three triples in the quarter—from players identified as Vecchiet and Pesci—to take a 15-10 lead into the first break.
Trieste showed resilience in the second quarter. A strong performance from Tommaso Millo, who scored 10 of the team’s 15 points in the period, fueled a comeback. The university team outscored Percorso Sicurezza 17-15 in the quarter, heading into halftime with a 32-25 advantage.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point. CUS Trieste’s offense sputtered, and the team managed to score only seven points. In contrast, Percorso Sicurezza dominated the glass and converted their opportunities effectively, outscoring the visitors 16-7. This decisive run erased Trieste’s halftime lead, and the home team built a commanding 48-32 advantage, effectively putting the game out of reach.
In the final quarter, CUS Trieste mounted a late comeback effort, fueled by the individual brilliance of Luca Ladoni. Ladoni connected on four three-pointers in the period, helping his team outscore Percorso Sicurezza 18-23. However, the deficit was too large to overcome, and the final score of 66-55 stood in favor of the hosts.
CUS Trieste Players Score Points and Santucci Injures Eyebrow
Individually, Tommaso Millo led CUS Trieste in scoring with 17 points. Luca Ladoni added 15 points, with a significant portion of his total coming in the final quarter via his four three-pointers. Umberto Franceschetto contributed 8 points, while Mattia Miklus and Biniam Santucci added 3 and 6 points, respectively.
A notable and unfortunate incident occurred during the game. Biniam Santucci suffered a facial injury, specifically a wound above the eyebrow, during a collision on the court. The injury was significant enough to require the entire CUS Trieste team to spend time at the emergency room following the match, showing the physical nature of the contest.
What’s Next for CUS Trieste
With their first loss of the season now in the books, CUS Trieste will look to regroup and refocus on their upcoming fixtures in the DR2 Girone Trieste Gorizia. The team will aim to bounce back and re-establish their winning form in the league. Their next confirmed match is a crucial opportunity to get back on track and continue their pursuit of a strong position in the standings. The date and opponent for their next game will be announced by the team in due course.
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