Guerri Napoli suffered a 76-82 defeat to Bertram Tortona in the seventeenth round of the Serie A Championship, played at Alcott Arena. The Azzurri tried to comeback in the fourth quarter, closing within 2 points, but Vital's basket win the game.
Guerri started strong with Simms' 5-0 run, and Flagg scored on a fast break to make it 9-2 after two minutes of play. The visitors responded with a 0-9 counterbreak, interrupted by a score from Mitrou-Long. Flagg put Guerri back in front, El Amin hit a three-pointer to make it 16-11, and Hubb responded. In the final minutes, after Fagian's three-pointer, Baldasso scored from midcourt to make it 21-17 at the first break. El Amin scored a double 3-pointer early in the second quarter, after shots by Biliga and Vital. Pecchia scored again for Bertram, and Mitrou-Long made it 31-24 with six minutes left in the half. Tortona had a good moment with free throws by Vital and Manjon, and Olejniczak's 3-point play tied the score. Strautins put the visitors ahead, forcing Napoli to call a timeout. Guerri scored again with Caruso, but Tortona took a commanding lead with Vital and Strautins. The quarter ended 36-45.
Both teams score early in the third quarter, with scores by Olejniczak and Strautins giving Bertram a 14-point lead. Napoli calls a timeout. Guerri runs a 7-0 minibreak with Bolton and Simms, 48-57. Tortona calls a timeout. Gorham and Bolton exchange three-pointers, Biligha's dunk gives Tortona another eight-point lead. Bertram goes into the final quarter with the score at 56-64. El Amin tries to bring Guerri back within nine, but Pecchia's three-pointer puts Napoli dowb by nine. Flagg responds to make it 65-71, but Vital scores again from long range. Napoli stays in close with Simms, and Bolton makes it -4 on a fast break with 3:30 left. Tortona calls a timeout. Simms slips on offense, Vital makes no mistake from the free throw line, Flagg scores on a drive, and Bolton makes it two with one minute left. Vital puts Napoli up by four after a dramatic play. Bolton's three-pointer hits the rim, and Tortona wins 76-82.
Coach Alessandro Magro:
"We know Tortona's value, built with a roster to compete in cup competitions, despite only playing in the league. Looking on the good side, we lost by 4 in a game where they scored from midfield, grabbed a lot of offensive rebounds, and we won three out of four quarters. However, we continue to make unforgivable mistakes that cost us games. This must not happen; we miss important opportunities. Now the bye week will be important to get back here and work with clear ideas, and we will need more discipline. We need to be cynicistic, it's my responsibility, and this must happen as soon as possible. This team has shown, despite their mistakes, that they can compete with anyone. We're tired of making these mistakes."
After next week's stop, the Azzurri will return to the field on Sunday, February 8th, again at the Alcott Arena, against Reyer Venezia at 4:00 PM.