Napoli Basketball continue their winning streak, beating Dolomiti Energia Trentino 90–79 in the sixth round of Group C of the EuroCup. The Azzurri secured their sixth consecutive victory, maintaining their position at the top of the group. Ramsey was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points. Seljaas, White, Dowtin and Petrucelli also finished in double figures, while Marco Spissu recorded 12 assists. Coach Repesa had to do without Brown and Jakimovski, as well as Leonardo Totè, who was ruled out due to flu.
Trento made the better start in the first quarter, led by Olivari. Rossi’s team took a 10–7 lead, with Napoli responding through Ramsey. However, Bayehe’s dunk extended the visitors’ advantage to 17–10. The teams traded baskets, with Trento restoring a five-point lead, but in the closing stages Ramsey, Spissu and Seljaas helped the Azzurri finish the first quarter ahead, 24–21. Napoli made an excellent start to the second quarter thanks to Petrucelli and Seljaas. Trento responded with two three-pointers from Bertini, while Dowtin Jr. scored on a drive to the basket. C. Brown then scored inside to make it 33–30, prompting a timeout from Repesa. Napoli moved five points ahead through Brown, but Trento dominated the closing stages of the half. Offensive rebounds from Bayehe and Bayo allowed the visitors to take the lead, heading into halftime up 39–37.
Trento extended their lead to six points at the beginning of the third quarter through C. Brown. Napoli responded with a 5–0 run from White and Sankare, before Bayehe scored for Trento to make it 46–43 midway through the quarter. The Azzurri moved closer from the free-throw line, but another three-pointer from Brown put Trento four points ahead. Napoli then produced a remarkable response: Ramsey, Seljaas and White sparked a 15–0 run to give the hosts a 62–51 lead, before Bertini ended the run with a three-pointer. Spissu added another three-pointer in the closing stages, and Napoli ended the third quarter ahead 65–54. The final quarter opened with a three-pointer from Ramsey. Bayehe responded with five consecutive points, while Caruso scored on a tip-in following a superb assist from Seljaas. D. Brown converted all three of his free throws, before Bertini hit from beyond the arc to make it 72–65, forcing Napoli to call a timeout. Napoli got back on the scoreboard through Petrucelli, who scored five consecutive points. Olivari converted a basket plus the foul to make it 77–68 with five minutes remaining. Trento refused to give up, with Olivari scoring again. However, Napoli made the most of a disruptive foul situation through Dowtin Jr., before Seljaas buried a corner three-pointer to put the game beyond doubt. The final score was 90–79, as the Alcott Arena celebrated another victory.
Coach Jasmin Repesa:
“I cannot be satisfied with the team’s approach. Before the game, I had asked the players to control Trento’s transition game and offensive rebounds, but we failed to do so.
This is a habit I don’t like, and we absolutely have to work on it. Congratulations to the team on the win, but I cannot be happy with our performance. We need to do better if we want to keep performing well."
The Azzurri will be back in action next Sunday, November 8, at 6:00 p.m., when they travel to face Longobardi Scafati in the seventh round of the Italian Serie A championship.
credits. Alessandro Isola Esposito