REYER VENEZIA - GUERRI NAPOLI 106-96
(30-29, 23-19, 27-18, 26-30)
Lose on the road for Guerri Napoli who lost against Reyer Venezia for 106-96, in the match of the twelfth day of the Serie A Championship, played this afternoon at the Taliercio. Coach Magro's team held on, playing a great game with Simms, Bolton, and Croswell scoring over 20 points, but gave in over the distance, fighting until the end, trying to make the comeback.
The first score of the game is from Caruso, Venice took the lead with Wiltjer, two three-pointers , and Bowman, making it 12-4 for Reyer. Guerri scored again with Bolton, and Bowman responded, timeout for Coach Magro. Simms hit a three-pointer, and Bolton hit two consecutive shots to bring Guerri within 4 points. With three minutes left in the first half, the score was tied at 24-24 with a score by Mitrou-Long on a fast break. Reyer scored with Wheatle and Tessitori, Croswell dunked, Tessitori made 1 of 2, and Bolton hit another three-pointer. The first quarter ended with Reyer up 30-29.
Reyer started well with a 13-1 run led by Tessitori and Candi, timeout for Coach Magro. Reyer continued to score, while Guerri, with Bolton, stopped a 19-1 run, but Bowman scored again from outside. Azzurri reply with Simms and Croswell, and Bolton scored five consecutive points to bring Guerri back within four. The quarter ended with Reyer leading 53-48.
Simms and Wiltjer exchanged basket, Simms again to bring the score to -2, Cole scores with a foul, Croswell and Flagg bring Guerri back to within 1, but Horton and Bowman score from deep, Parks makes it 67-59, Naples calls a timeout. El Amin makes a 3-pointer, Wiltjer responds after a confusing play, Wheatle and Simms score from the line, and Venice go on with a 3-pointer from Candi to bring the score to 78-64. The quarter ends 80-66 with a basket from Gentile.
Guerri tries with Treier, but Reyer responds with Candi. Croswell scores two more points, Gentile hits a three, and the Azzurri get back to within 10. Venice calls a timeout. Stefano Gentile scores five points in a row to bring the score to 90-83, but #22 Guerri is called for a technical foul. Simms doesn't miss from the line, but Weathle scores for Venezia. Wiltjer's five consecutive points bring Venezia back to 98-86. Guerri doesn't give up, running a 5-0 minibreak, 98-91. Venezia calls a timeout. Cole's baskets definitively seal the game. The game ends 106-96 for the home team. Guerri Napoli will return to the field next Sunday, December 28, at the Alcott Arena, at 6:30 pm, against Acqua San Bernardo Cantù.
Meanwhile, tomorrow, Monday, December 22nd, at 3:00 PM, in the Sala della Loggia of Castel Nuovo – Maschio Angioino, the new Guerri Napoli "Special Edition" commemorative jersey will be officially presented to the press, in honor of the 2,500th anniversary of the city of Naples.
Speakers at the event will include: Emanuela Ferrante, Councilor for Sport for the City of Naples; Flavia Matrisciano, Executive Director of the Santobono–Pausilipon Onlus Foundation; Gennaro Cozzolino, Marketing Director of Givova; and Fausto Della Villa, Creative Director of Sport Media House. Speaking on behalf of Guerri Napoli will be coach Alessandro Magro, general manager James Laughlin, sporting director Alessandro Di Fede, and Savion Flagg, ambassador of the "Special Edition" commemorative jersey.
Box Score:
Flagg 3, Mitrou-Long 2, El-Amin 3, Croswell 20, Faggian, Saccoccia n.e., Gloria n.e., Treier 3, Gentile 10, Simms 27, Caruso 4, Bolton 24.
Coach Alessandro Magro:
It was the game we expected, between two teams that love to run and attack. It was a very enjoyable match for the spectators. We're a team that has shown quality and never gives up. We played with confidence, trying to stick to our game plan. Limiting all of Reyer's players is very difficult; we tried to limit Wiltjer by attacking him a lot. The game changed in the final of the third quarter; I take responsibility for the decisions we made. I decided to try to play with small ball, to spread the floor, and to try to remove Tessitori from the court. We're obviously not happy with the loss, but our performance on the road was good. We played a good offensive game, playing the game we wanted to play. I see the glass half full; now we have a crucial game ahead of us, against Cantù at home, to keep our hopes of reaching the Final Eight.