Basketball: Scafati surprises Virtus Bologna, Milan catches the top

Sensational in Bologna. After 9 victories in a row, Virtus Bologna falls (77-84) in the presence of Scafati, back from 3 consecutive defeats, and is taken back to the top of the standings by Milan who overwhelmed Reggio Emilia (81-63). Pesaro wins (101-93) the direct clash with Varese and hooks the rivals in 4th place. In the rear Verona conquers Treviso (77-79), leaving Nicola’s men at the bottom of the standings.

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Super Okoye, Virtus ko. Milan on velvet

Virtus paid dearly for a blackout in the second quarter which cost them a 0-20 run that took them from 27-21 to 27-41. In the second half, led by Mannion, she came back to just one possession from her opponents (67-79 and then 75-76 in the final) but Scafati always remained very lucid and closed thanks to the precision of Stone and Lamb. Okoye (18 points and 10 rebounds), Logan (17 points) and Pinkins (16) shone in Caja’s team. Hackett’s 18 points and Mannion’s 17 weren’t enough for the Bolognese.
Milan (Luwawy-Cabarrot 13 points, Ricci 12, Davies 11, Baron 10) had no problems against Reggio Emilia: they led from start to finish, even reaching +26. Sakota’s men (Vitali 14 points, Anim and Olisevicius 13) didn’t need Hopkins’ double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds).

Cheatham and Moretti launch Pesaro, beaten by Varese

Like Scafati, Pesaro also split the game in two against Varese in the second quarter by posting a 15-0 run by Cheatham and continued by the triples by Moretti and Abdur-Rahkman which allowed it to go to the break at 59-44. Proudly pushed by Johnson, Varese brought itself back to -3 (93-90) with 1’30” to go but then, after having failed to hook up with De Nicolao and Caruso, it was punished by a super Cheatham, the best of his with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Among the landlords, Moretti also finished with 22 points while Mazzola put 17 on the scoresheet. Performances that made Brown’s 30 points and Johnson’s 28 useless on the opposite front.

Cappelletti gives the Veneto derby to Verona

Verona won the very balanced Veneto derby with Treviso in the sprint. Two free throws by Cappelletti (14 points and 6 assists) decided. The home team attempted a counter-overtake at the siren’s edge but Sorokas’ last-second shot (18 points) went off on the rim. The La Scala thanks above all Anderson (25 points) and Holman (15). Iroegbu’s good performance (25 points) was not enough in Treviso.