Reggio Emilia Dominates Trieste, Playoff Hopes Rise
REGGIO EMILIA, Italy – UNA Hotels Reggio Emilia continued its strong form, securing a third consecutive victory with a commanding 97-61 win over Pallacanestro Trieste on Saturday. The decisive victory at the PalaBigi arena offers a significant boost to Reggio Emilia’s playoff aspirations, while Trieste continues to struggle following a recent coaching change.
This was the first Serie A league game under new coach Francesco Taccetti for Trieste, and the result was a stark indication of the challenges ahead. After a competitive first quarter, Reggio Emilia took control, outscoring Trieste 7-21 in the second period and effectively ending the contest before halftime. The home side extended their lead after the break, ultimately delivering a lopsided defeat for the visiting team.
Barford and Brown Lead the Way for Reggio Emilia
Jaylen Barford led the scoring for Reggio Emilia with 20 points, while Stephen Brown added 14. Williams and Woldetensae also contributed with 12 points apiece, showcasing the team’s balanced offensive attack. The consistent scoring proved too much for a depleted Trieste roster to handle.
Despite 15 points from Jahmi’us Ramsey, Pallacanestro Trieste couldn’t identify enough offensive support to challenge Reggio Emilia. Candussi and Toscano-Anderson each added 12 points, but the team’s overall struggles were evident in the final score. Trieste now stands at 20 points in the league standings, still searching for consistency.
A Crucial Moment for Reggio Emilia
The win marks a pivotal moment in the season for Reggio Emilia. The team, which faced difficulties earlier in the year, is now firmly in the playoff conversation. Coach Taccetti acknowledged the physicality of the game, stating, “Sicuramente è stata una partita molto fisica, come avevamo previsto – ha detto coach Francesco Taccetti in conferenza stampa -. La fisicità è stato l’aspetto predominante della gara di oggi e la squadra non è stata abbastanza forte, direi, più che altro mentalmente, per reagire a una situazione di difficoltà e per provare a fare le cose che avevamo preparato, oltre a essere consistente in quello che avevamo chiesto.” (Translation: “It was certainly a very physical game, as we expected. Physicality was the predominant aspect of today’s game and the team was not strong enough, I would say, more than anything mentally, to react to a difficult situation and try to do the things we had prepared, as well as being consistent in what we had asked for.”)
The team’s momentum will be immediately tested as they prepare for a busy stretch of games. Reggio Emilia will host Murcia in the first leg of the Europe Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday at the PalaBigi, followed by a return trip to Spain on March 18th. They will then travel to Sassari for a league game on Sunday, March 15th.
Trieste Faces Roster Challenges
Trieste’s performance was hampered by significant roster limitations. The team was without key players Ross, Moretti, Brown, and Brooks, severely restricting coach Taccetti’s options. The absences were particularly felt in the second quarter, where Trieste struggled to score and maintain possession. “Una serata storta, di quelle dove gli avversari riescono anche a segnare canestri molto difficili, purtroppo fa parte di questo tipo di serate,” Taccetti added. (Translation: “A bad night, one of those where opponents also manage to score very difficult baskets, unfortunately is part of these kinds of nights.”)
The team’s struggles highlight the challenges of integrating a new coach with an incomplete roster. The heavy defeat raises questions about Trieste’s ability to compete consistently in the Serie A league. The loss to Reggio Emilia follows a previous defeat to Milano in the Coppa Italia, further compounding the team’s difficulties.
The game at the PalaBigi essentially became a formality in the later stages, with the fourth quarter largely serving as a statistical footnote. Reggio Emilia’s dominance underscored their improved form and solidified their position as a team to watch in the Serie A playoff race.
Coach Taccetti emphasized the need to move forward quickly, stating, “Dobbiamo comunque subito voltare pagina, continuare a lavorare sulle nostre cose, perché abbiamo una partita già tra tre giorni.” (Translation: “We must immediately turn the page, continue to function on our things, because we have a game already in three days.”)
The next few games will be crucial for both teams as they navigate their respective challenges and strive for success in the Serie A league and European competitions.
