Another great comeback for Napoli Basketball, who defeated Pallacanestro Trieste 90–89 in tonight’s eighth-round league game, played in front of a sold-out crowd at the Alcott Arena. After trailing by as many as 14 points, the Azzurri found the decisive basket through Marco Spissu, who hit a corner three-pointer to put Napoli one point ahead with just 10 seconds remaining. Jones’ final shot bounced off the rim. Coach Repesa’s team remains top of the standings, securing its seventh win in eight league games. Setting the best start in the history of Napoli Basket.
The first half was a high-scoring affair. Napoli found the basket through Tarczewski, who scored and came up with two blocks, Dowtin Jr. and Seljaas, who converted a basket while being fouled. Trieste relied on Galloway, who scored 12 points in the first quarter, and McDermott. The visitors shot at a high percentage from beyond the arc, but towards the end of the quarter the Azzurri pulled away, inspired by Spissu, White and Faggian, to lead 34–27 at the first break. The second quarter belonged to the visiting team. Trieste scored through McDermott and Ross, while Jones gave the visitors the lead and Napoli tried to respond through Dowtin Jr. The team from Trieste was shooting exceptionally well from three-point range, with Jones again finding the basket. White’s score made it 45–51 at halftime.
Napoli made a strong start to the third quarter through Dowtin Jr. and Petrucelli, but Trieste responded. McDermott and Candussi once again found their range from outside, while Jones completed a four-point play to give the visitors their biggest lead of the game, 71–57 with two minutes left in the quarter. Napoli got back on the scoreboard through Seljaas, Jones answered with a dunk, and White and Spissu scored towards the end of the period to make it 65–73 heading into the final quarter. The Azzurri started the fourth quarter strongly with Spissu and Dowtin Jr. Galloway hit another three-pointer, while McDermott produced a spectacular basket plus the foul to make it 70–78. Napoli refused to give in, with Spissu hitting from beyond the arc, but De Angeli restored Trieste’s nine-point advantage at 82–73. Ramsey scored on a drive, while White and Dowtin Jr. brought Napoli back to 81–84 with 2:30 remaining, forcing a Trieste timeout. Napoli had a chance to tie the game through Dowtin, who made one of his two free throws. Trieste moved ahead 89–87 with 20 seconds remaining, before Spissu’s corner three-pointer sent the Alcott Arena into absolute madness. Jones’ final attempt bounced off the rim, Napoli won 90–89 and once again moved to the top of the standings.
Coach Repesa:
“I expected a very difficult game because Trieste are in excellent form and play a very fast style of basketball, similar to ours. They also had a full week to prepare for this game, whereas we were coming off a difficult trip. More than ever, we needed to stay focused and prevent their shooters from getting into the game. We failed to do that. An intelligent team learns even when it wins. Tonight, we need to learn that we cannot afford to start games so softly. This is crucial for our future. However, I want to congratulate the team for never giving up. That is one of our defining characteristics, and it is something we must hold on to. But speaking from experience, I have to say that we cannot win every game this way. We cannot keep reaching the final quarter in situations like tonight’s game or the one in Scafati.”
The Azzurri will be back in action on Wednesday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m., away against Bourg-en-Bresse, for the first game of the second half of the EuroCup Group C.