Defeat for Guerri Napoli, who lost 71-77 to EA7 Emporio Armani Milano in the match played this evening at the Alcott Arena.
The Azzurri played a high-intensity game, coming very close to the win
Despite the result, Coach Magro's team can celebrate qualifying for the Coppa Italia Final Eight, in Turin from February 18th to 22nd, finishing the first half of the season in eighth place in the standings. Guerri will face Virtus Bologna in the quarterfinals.
Guerri got off to a good start, with Flagg running 5-0. Brooks responded, and Croswell put the Azzurri back in front, with the score at 10-6 midway through the first quarter. Milan took the lead again with Dunston, but Bolton hit a three-pointer. Flagg scored again to make it 18-13. Late in the quarter, Mannion and El-Amin scored. The quarter ended with Guerri leading 23-15.
A great drive by Faggian, Bolmaro, and Ricci for Milano, Mitrou-Long scores eight points to bring Guerri's lead to 33-21 after four minutes. Milan responds with Bolmaro, scoring five points, prompting a timeout for Naples. Flagg hits a 3-pointer. The game is evenly matched, with Leday scoring from the line and Simms from deep. The game goes into halftime with Guerri leading 38-32.
Milan gets off to a good start in the third quarter with Shields, Croswell taps in, Leday and Brooks give Olimpia a 40-41 lead, Napoli calls a timeout. Ellis and Croswell score, Bolton's three-pointer puts Guerri back in front, Shields ties the score, and Leday made again for Olimpia, 45-47 with two minutes remaining. A stunning Flagg, with two consecutive three-pointers, puts Guerri back up by five. El Amin makes no mistake from the line, but Brooks scores at the buzzer to make it 55-52, at the end of the third period.
Mitrou-Long makes a three-pointer, Brooks scores two consecutive baskets to tie the score. Mitrou drives to the basket, Leday receives a technical foul, and Nebo dunks to make it 62-60 with six minutes remaining. Shields scores five consecutive points, Croswell makes one of two free throws, and Brooks makes a three-point play, making it 63-68 with 1:48 left. The Azzurri fail to find the basket, Ellis close the game and Milano wins 71-77
Guerri Napoli will return to the field next Sunday, January 18, at 5:00 pm away to Dinamo Sassari.
Coach Alessandro Magro:
"I think the team played a solid game, especially defensively. We conceded 70 points against a team with enormous offensive potential. We led the game for long part, and deservedly so. However, our opponents deserve credit, too. We were to blame for not moving the ball anymore, but we managed to stay in contact until the end. The game is at last decided by a couple of possessions; we pay for the percentage of free throws, while they demonstrated the talent of their players. At midseason, six wins could be enough to qualify for the Final Eight, a prestigious achievement, strongly desired by the club and the team, but in the second half of the season I think we can do even better. It's been 15 weeks since the start, and we're playing effective basketball, improving every week. We've shown we can compete with anyone; we just need to be more clinical in the final stages of games."