Alessandro Gentile not enough, first knockout for Urania
Rimini-Urania Milan
A battle-hardened Wegreenit Urania Milano yields only in the final in Rimini, 84-76. Solid race of the Wildcats who, deprived of Cesana, even reach double-digit lead in the second half dragged by Gentile and Amato (43 points combined). In the final decisive the 17-0 partial of the Romagnoli who find with Marini and Tomassini the decisive leaps.
Abrupt start for Wegreenit, which suffers the raids of Johnson and Grande, 6-1 after Camara’s forceful basket. Gentile unblocks the Wildcats with a soft jumper from the middle of the area, a torpedo by Captain Amato and a steal by Potts are worth the overtake, 8-9. The Romagnoli insistently look for Johnson, the versatility of the former Reggio Emilia player allows the hosts to tie at 13. Urania doesn’t give up dragged by the Amato-Gentile axis, excellent also the contribution of the second unit, Maspero brushes for Pagani, Cavallero of pure cunning seals the più 4, 16-20.
Increasing defensive pressure from Coach Dell’Agnello’s men, a Marini flare-up puts Rivierabanca ahead by a’glue at the first buzzer, 27-24. Equilibrium also at the start of the second period, an immense Gentile shoots the new overtake, kiss assist for Leggio that is worth the plus’4, 27-31. It wastes something from the lunette Rimini that però finds the percussions of Tomassini, Udanoh and Cavallero fight effectively at the rebound in an atmosphere already battle, 5 points d’author of Amato for the maximum lead, 33-38. Wegreenit doesn’t materialize some good chances’to stretch, it holds for’behind the red-blue fort, a 2+1 by Udanoh gives the plus’6 to the guests at’halftime, 37-43.
After the long break more’aggressive coach Dell’Agnello’s ranks, Marini leads the red and white assaults but Urania always responds on both sides of the court, 41-48 after Gentile’s basket. The atmosphere heats up at the Flaminio, fourth penalty for Leggio and technical for protests to coach Cardani, 47-50 after Grande’s penetration. Milan offense struggles now, a Masciadri triple from the corner ignites the home crowd, parity at 50. The Wildcats don’t stop fighting, an encyclopedic Gentile gives new life to Milan, 50-58 after two free throws by a precious Cavallero. Pagani immolates himself against Camara’s claws, wild fight with Maspero finding a d’author basket for the first double-digit lead, 54-64.
The usual Marini reignites the Romagnoli’s engine, Anunba ès energy is a factor in the red and white recovery, Tomassini from 8 meters for parity, 64-64. Leggio comes out for fouls with Camara stamping the overtake, Wildcats seem to run out of fuel, Rimini fires a 17-0 partial with Camara unleashed, 71-64. Udanoh breaks the big thirst for a’moving Urania, Maspero and Amato for the new parity, 71-71. Grande’s first torpedo of the game launches Rimini’s sprint, Tomassini and Marini, who moreover receives generous whistles from the referee, extinguish the last assaults of an extraordinary Gentile, 84-76.
