Great win for Guerri Napoli over Banco di Sardegna Sassari 86-75 in the game played at the Alcott Arena. Azzurri, without Mitrou-Long due to an ankle injury, were led by Flagg's 24-pointer, but all of Coach Magro's players made valuable contributions.
Bolton scores first basket of the game, with the early game balanced. Ceron from the free throw line gives Sassari their first lead. Napoli scores again through Flagg, with Buie and Flagg back and forth, making it 8-9 after four minutes of play. Sassari scores through Ceron and Thomas, with Flagg's three making it 15-16, but Johnson scores on a drive. The game is filled with intense play, with Flagg tying the game from the free throw line, and Bolton puts Guerri back in front. In the closing stages, Napoli dunks with Croswell, and Mezzanotte hits a 3-pointer to make it 24-21 after 10 minutes.
Another alley hoop for Croswell, a three for Beliasukas, El-Amin hits a mid-range shot, Bolton hits a drive, El Amin and Flagg score to make it 36-26 midway through the quarter, Sassari calls a timeout. The visiting team tries to get back within with free throws, Buie's three makes it 36-32 with four minutes to go. Flagg again for Guerri, the Azzurri jump to a 10-point lead, El Amin hits a long-range shot, Thomas responds from below, and Bolton scores for Guerri. The quarter ends with Napoli up 48-39.
Sassari scores with McGlynn, Gentile responds from mid-range, Treier makes a crucial three-pointer to bring Guerri back +10, Beliauskas responds, Bolton creates another three-point play, Sassari closes with Buie, 56-50, Napoli calls a timeout. Sassari scores with Buie, Guerri again with Bolton, Vincini and Johnson bring Sassari back to -1 with 1:30 left in the final half. Flagg scores five key points to make it 63-57.
Johnson immediately scores a 3-pointer, layup from Croswell, but Beliauskas again hits from long range, Croswell goes 2-for-2. Sassari closes again with Zanelli, but Bolton's 3-pointer and Flagg's basket put Napoli back up by 9, Sassari calls a timeout. The visitors don't give up and score with Buie's 3-pointer, Croswell scores two consecutive baskets, and Simms' plays, with a block and a 3-pointer, seal the game. The match ends 86-75 in favor of Guerri. Guerri Napoli will return to the field, after the break for national teams, on Sunday 7 December at 4:00 pm away against APU Old Wild West Udine.
Box Score:
Flagg 24, Mitrou-Long n.e., El-Amin 14, Croswell 18, Faggian, Saccoccia, Gloria n.e., Treier 3, Gentile 4, Simms 3, Caruso 3, Bolton 17.
Coach Magro:
“I want to dedicate this win to my daughter Emma who we here at the match this evening. We wanted to play a different game than the last. I'd said it was a tough week; we had to do without Treier, due to a blow to the eyebrow and then a virus that kept him out. Mitrou Long wasn't 100%; he had expressed his availability, but it was my choice not to force him. We needed everyone to be at their best to get these two points. It was important to play this game at home. We really wanted to win this game. It takes time to build a winning project, but tonight we wanted to show our fans and ourselves that we care. I'm very proud of the team's reaction."