Guerri Napoli secured an away win, defeating Dinamo Sassari 84-78 in the sixteenth and first round of the Serie A Championship. The Azzurri, without Simms, who returned to the United States due to a serious family bereavement, made a decisive run in the fourth quarter, holding off Dinamo's comeback attempts.
Sassari got off to a good start, 4-0, with Flagg responding with a three-pointer, Mitrou-Long scoring from mid-range, and Ceron putting Dinamo back in front at 7-5. Napoli break 5-0 for the lead, then baskets by Pullen and Bolton, and Vincini tied the score at 14 with three minutes remaining. El-Amin scored, and Caruso made it 17-20 after ten minutes. Sassari got off to a better start with a three-pointer from Johnson, Gentile scored on a drive, McGlynn put Dinamo ahead, but Flagg and Mitrou-Long put Guerri back in front. The home team, however, ran a 5-0 mini-break to take a 30-27 lead. Napoli called a timeout. Mitrou-Long hit a second three-pointer, and Flagg put the Azzurri back in front at 3 minutes to the half-time. The quarter ended with Guerri leading 37-39.
Croswell scored the first points, Sassari tied the score with Thomas, Bolton and Caruso put the Azzurri back in front, Buie made no mistake from the free throw line, but El-Amin drove to make it 46-49 midway through the quarter. Napoli continued their strong run, finding another three-pointer from Mitrou-Long, 47-54, prompting a Sassari timeout. At the end of the quarter, Sassari tries to close the gap with Thomas and Zanelli, El-Amin and Gentile responded for Guerri, and Thomas scored at the buzzer to make it 57-61. El Amin's three-pointer, Mezzanotte and Croswell exchanged blows, and Flagg made it 62-71 after four minutes of play. Caruso blocked Dinamo's attacks and then gave Guerri their max lead. Sassari responded with a 6-0 run, with threes from Visconti and Buie. Treier was strong with an offensive rebound and two free throws. Flagg brought Napoli back to within 10, but Visconti and Buie again brought the home team back to within 4. Napoli called a timeout. Guerri scored again with Mitrou-Long, Thomas responded, Flagg made 1 of 2 free throws, and Sassari missed on offense. Guerri won 84-78.
Box Score:
Flagg 16, Mitrou-Long 19, El-Amin 18, Croswell 9, Faggian 1, Saccoccia, Treier 2, Gentile 2, Caruso 9, Bolton 6, Esposito n.e., Gloria n.e.
Coach Magro:
"I want to say something fundamental, which goes beyond basketball. Seeing Achille Polonara and the welcome he received was truly moving, a great testament from the club to a wonderful young man who is playing in a very important match. Playing in Sassari is never easy. We took home two important points, taking a 2-0 head-to-head lead. Dinamo, in full force, proved to be a truly strong team. With this win, we remain among the teams fighting for the playoffs, and we're happy about that. It wasn't a great match, but when you manage to win games like this, a coach can still be happy."
Ish El-Amin:
"We managed to control the game on the rebound. We played every possession as best we could. It's an important away win, to start the second half of the season off right. I played a good game, and I hope to be able to play many more."
Guerri Napoli will return to the field next Saturday, January 24, at 6:15 pm, at the Alcott Arena against Bertram Tortona.