VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA – BERTRAM TORTONA 77-73 (21-16, 35-38; 51-55)
After a tremendous effort, and on the shoulders of a monstrous Belinelli (25 points, 19 in the last quarter) Virtus beats Tortona and moves forward 1-0 in the series. It was a very complex game, especially in attack. After having chased for most of the game, in the last quarter Segafredo is finally back on the wings of her captain. Ramondino’s team was good at blocking the Juventus attack for a long time (53% from two and 28% from three), the Bianconeri held up with the defense, and in the last quarter they finally unlocked the front. But it was really a difficult game, with Tortona being ahead for most of the second half and playing it up to the last shot.
Chronicle: Virtus starts with great aggression, and immediately goes above 10-2. Tortona loses several balls and struggles to find the basket, and the Bianconeri are ahead 21-16 at the first stop.
The second bianconero quintet struggles more, the attack jams, and Tortona returns and overtakes (24-28). The reaction is immediate, and Segafredo scores 8-0. Shengelia is very reactive but misses three free throws and a dunk, and so Tortona is ahead in the middle, 35-38 with a triple from Macura.
The third quarter still sees Segafredo in trouble. With Sanders and Macura Tortona reaches +6 (43-49), also thanking an arbitration error, a touch of the iron not seen that costs the bianconeri a 24 ”infraction. There are also several offensive rebounds allowed, and you pay for something. At 30 ‘Tortona is still ahead: 51-55.
Last quarter: thanks also to Mascolo who misses the free potential +7, Virtus returns to -1 with six in a row by Belinelli. However, Severini immediately responded by three, and then Mascolo. For Segafredo it is a very long pursuit, led by an unstoppable Belinelli, who signs the -1 (70-71) at 1’54. Cannon scores, Belinelli scores again, who shortly afterwards makes a great defense and scores from three for the first advantage after an eternity: 75-73 at 45 ”. Wright wrong, Cannon’s fifth rebound foul. Free for Hackett, who only puts one on. Severini for the draw, goes in and out, and that’s it. Free of Belinelli of the stirrup, ends 77-73. On Sunday we return to the field for game 2.
VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA – BERTRAM TORTONA 77-73 (21-16, 35-38; 51-55)
VIRTUS: Weavers 2; Lanyard 4; Mannion NE; Belinelli 25; Pajola 2; Hervey 0; Ruzzier NE; Jaiteh 13; Shengelia 11; Hackett 3; Weems 7; Theodosic 10. All. Scariolo
TORTONA: Mortellaro NE; Wright 6; Cannon 9; Tavernelli NE; Filloy 9; Mascolo 5; Cattapan NE; Severini 9; Sanders 16; Daum 7; Cain 0; Macura 12. All. Ramondino
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