Udine wins in a photo finish after overtime

Udine pulled off an overtime victory on the road against Cantù in one of Monday’s two late-night LBA games. The Bianconeri got off to a better start (2-9), and Brown committed two fouls in just a few seconds. Vitucci’s men didn’t hesitate to respond: an 8-0 run put them up by one. While the visiting fans chanted for Varese, Udine pulled ahead by four again. Bendzius and Moraschini led the charge: the first quarter ended 20-18 in favor of the home team. Play resumes and Cantù pulls ahead by 6, but accuracy is lacking on both sides, and the game proceeds in fits and starts: 27-26 for the blue-and-whites midway through the quarter. The momentum shifts back to the Friuli side, but Christon and Okeke close the gap: the score is tied at 36-36 at halftime.

A three-pointer by Valentine reignites the action, but Christon returns the favor. Udine’s four straight points (43-39) prompt Vitucci to call a timeout. Flagg keeps the visitors from pulling away, though they maintain their lead partly due to Cantù’s poor accuracy from the free-throw line. Former Cantù player Bucarelli hit a three-pointer to make it a 5-point lead, but then sent Flagg to the free-throw line three times (3-for-3). At the buzzer, Udine leads 58-56.

Flagg himself hits a three-pointer to put Cantù back in front, but Udine isn’t intimidated and tries to pull away again: with 6 minutes left, they’re up by 5 (69-64). The final five minutes begin with Udine leading 71–68. Cantù stays in the game: just when it seems defeated, it rallies thanks to Moraschini but misses too many free throws. With 22 seconds left, Udine leads by 3 (77–74). Moraschini was surreal in the closing moments: his first three-pointer went in and then out, while his second found the net.

Overtime: every foul resulted in a free throw, and the game went back and forth point for point. Grazulis stole the ball and dunked (82-80), but every possession felt like a heavy burden. With 1’38” left, Cantù is up by 1 (84-83). With 6″ remaining—still at 84-83—the Brianza team lets the 24-second clock run out. Timeout, then Calzavara drives to the basket and puts his team ahead (85-84 with 2.3 seconds left). Christon has the last possession but wastes it, and Udine wins.