Defeat for Guerri Napoli who lose on the road against APU OWW Udine for 78-71 in the match of the tenth day of the Serie A Championship. Guerri Napoli had to do without Bolton, that not play as a precaution due to a muscle strain.
Strong start for Udine with Bendtius and Christon, Gentile scoring the first basket for Guerri, making it 6-2 after three minutes. Bendtius hits a three-pointer, Caruso scores a mid-range point, Udine takes a 10-point lead, forcing coach Magro to call a timeout. Flagg scores a three-pointer, Mekowulu makes one of two free throws, Treier makes a mid-range point, and Flagg makes the score at 22-18. Udine calls a timeout. Mitrou-Long scores the first three points of his match, Calzavara responding. The first quarter ends with Udine up 27-21.
Alibegovic makes a 3-pointer, Mitrou-Long scores from the line, but Alibegovic makes another 3-pointer to put Udine up by 10. Guerri tries to get back into the game with El Amin, Flagg and Croswell makes it for -4, 33-29. Coach Magro is ejected for claim , Dawkins scores from the line, Bendtius makes a 3-pointer to bring the score to + 9 APU, Napoli calls a timeout. Guerri comes out well with Gentile's 3-pointer, but the bench is called for yet another technical foul. Flagg scores from mid-range, Caruso makes a great block and then scores to make it 39-38. Christon and Mitrou-Long make in the final minutes. The score goes 41-39 at half time
Guerri started well with a three-pointer from Caruso, followed by a three from Bendzius, who tied the score at 44. El Amin hit a three-pointer, Christon put Udine back in front with four consecutive points, El Amin scored on a drive, and Alibegovic responded, making it 52-51 APU with 3:20 left. Guerri's mini-break came with Simms and Flagg, Calzavara scores with foul, and then hit a three-pointer to make it 58-55. Udine continued its good run with Alibegovic, who hit free throws to make it 61-55. The quarter ended with Udine up 63-55.
Treier scores from the free throw line, Christon scores on a drive, and Mitrou-Long responds. Both teams show great defensive intensity, Flagg makes a three, Christon scores a layup, and Napoli calls a timeout. Guerri doesn't give up and scores a 3 with Mitrou-Long, Christon again from below, and Mitrou-Long responds, Udine calls a timeout. Flagg draws with two minutes left, but Christon scores with a foul. Udine goes up by five with Mekowulu, El Amin scores on a drive, and Udine grabs two valuable offensive rebounds on the final offensive play. Christon doesn't miss from the free throw line, and the game ends 78-71 for the home team.
Guerri Napoli will return on the field next Sunday, December 14, at 6:00 pm, at the Alcott Arena against Vanoli Cremona.
Coach Alessandro Magro:
"Congratulations to Udine. We knew their ranking was a lie. They're a solid, compact team that plays excellent basketball. Despite Hickey's absence, they managed to bring in a strong player like Christon, who immediately demonstrated his level tonight. We didn't play up to par in terms of energy. I take responsibility for not played a right game on a very difficult court and, obviously, for leaving the team alone for more than twenty minutes, even though I have an extremely capable coaching staff capable of managing the game. We must continue to work because there's still a lot to do to raise the level of our game."