Defeat for Guerri Napoli, that lost to Virtus Bologna in the match for 71-90 in the twenty-first round of the Serie A Championship, played this evening at the Alcott Arena. Guerri played an excellent first half, leading until half-time, but suffered the decisive break at the start of the third quarter.
Guerri got off to a strong start with a 6-0 run with Totè and Flagg. Virtus scored through Niang, Morgan hit a 3-pointer, and Flagg made a 9-5 lead at the half of first quarter. Virtus made another 3-pointer through Vildoza, Totè scored from deep, and the first scores by Whaley and Zeamaitis made it 18-11. Guerri continued its strong run, Caruso scored on a foul, but Morgan responded with five consecutive points, 21-16 at the first break. Napoli starts strong with a 4-0 run by Zemaitis and Bolton. Virtus calls a timeout, and Treier's three-pointer gives Guerri a 10-point lead before the score and faul by Ferrari, 28-21 after three minutes. El Amin makes a great drive basket, and Ferrari hits another three-pointer to keep Virtus close in the game. 32-26. Napoli calls a timeout at halftime. Treier makes another three-pointer, but Niang and Edwards bring Virtus back to within one, 35-34. The Azzurri respond with Flagg, Smailagic hits a three-pointer, Whaley blocks Edwards, and Treier's basket makes it 40-39 at halftime.
Virtus started the second half with a 12-0 run by Alston-Niang that forced Magro to call a timeout, 40-51 after 3 and a half minutes of the third quarter. Guerri scored again with Zemaitis, Morgan on the break, Diarra dunked for 55-42. The Azzurri tried to stay in the game with a 5-0 mini-break, Bolton-Caruso, El-Amin responded to Edwards, Smailagic and Alston brought Virtus back to +13. The quarter ended on 50-63. The Azzurri tried at the start of the final quarter with Bolton, but Ferrari's three-pointers and Niang's dunk brought Virtus to 78-60 with 5 minutes left. The final minutes set the score at the final 71-90.
B:
Whaley 3, Flagg 10, El-Amin 5, Faggian, Zemaitis 9, Gloria n.e., Treier 9, Gentile 5, Caruso 9, Totè 10, Bolton 11.
Coach Alessandro Magro
“It was a two-faced game. We played well in the first half, and we could have gone into halftime with a bigger lead. In the second half, they increase their defense, and we weren't able to respond. We missed easy baskets and lost avoidable balls, giving them confidence. We have two new players, and in just one practice, they played their game. We haven't won at home for too long. I'm taking it upon myself to work starting next week, integrating our new players. I understand the fans' discontent, we deserve it, but we need their support. We must fight together for the remaining nine games. Let's build on the positives we saw this evening."
Guerri Napoli will return to the field next Sunday, March 15th at 5:30 pm, away to Acqua San Bernardo Cantù.