Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Rimini between second ranked Rimini Crabs (20-8) and thirteenth ranked Torino (14-16) on Wednesday night. Rimini Crabs were defeated by Torino in a tough game at home 80-85. It was a good game for Nigerian-American forward Ife Josh Ajayi (201-1996, college: USA, agency: Players Group) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds. American swingman Kevion Taylor (196-1999, college: Valpo) contributed with 19 points for the winners. American Justin Johnson (200-1996, college: WKU) replied with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds for Rimini Crabs. Torino have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain thirteenth position with 14-16 record. Rimini Crabs at the other side keep the second place with eight games lost. Torino are looking forward to face higher ranked Pesaro (#7) at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Rimini Crabs will play against Orzinuovi (#15) and are hoping to win this game.
An interesting game for Udine (22-7) which played road game in Rieti against 3rd ranked Rieti (18-11). First ranked Udine managed to get a 5-point victory 75-70. American point guard Anthony Hickey (180-1992, college: OK State, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 18 points and 8 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Xavier Johnson chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American power forward Skylar Spencer (206-1994, college: SDSU, agency: Slash Sports) with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 14 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Udine have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 22-7 record. Rieti at the other side dropped to the fourth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Cividale. Udine will play against Cantu (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Rieti will play against Fortitudo in Bologna and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Avellino was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Cividale (18-11) played at the court of 8th ranked Avellino (16-12). Cividale managed to secure a 4-point victory 85-81 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Avellino. Doron Lamb notched 21 points to lead the effort. Even 21 points and 7 rebounds by Marcellus Earlington did not help to save the game for Avellino. Cividale moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Rieti. Newly promoted Avellino dropped to the tenth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Forli. Cividale will meet at home bottom-ranked Piacenza (#20) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Avellino will play against Livorno Libertas (#18) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 30: Nardo beat Forli on the road 82-69. Orzinuovi won against Pesaro on its own court 103-98. Vigevano managed to outperform Piacenza in a road game 80-75. Cantu rolled over Livorno Libertas at home 87-62. Brindisi was crushed by Verona on the opponent’s court 82-63. Cento was beaten by Fortitudo in a home game 72-78. Milano Urania won against Juvi Cremona on the road 79-71.
The most impressive performance of 30th round was 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by Lorenzo Maspero of Milano Urania.

Forli – Nardo 69-82

There was a surprise result when nineteenth ranked Nardo (8-20) beat on the road higher ranked Forli (16-12) 82-69 on Wednesday. American point guard Russ Smith (183-1991, college: Louisville) notched 37 points (!!!) (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) to lead the effort and Cameroonian guard Aristide Mouaha (191-2000) supported him with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Even 15 points by American guard Demonte Harper (193-1989, college: Morehead St.) did not help to save the game for Forli. The former international power forward Raphael Gaspardo (207-1993, agency: Players Group) added 10 points and 8 rebounds. Forli’s coach Antimo Martino rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Nardo maintains nineteenth position with 8-20 record. Loser Forli dropped to the tenth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Avellino. Nardo will meet higher ranked Juvi Cremona (#14) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Forli will play against Vigevano (#17) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Forli: D.Harper 15+4reb+2ast, D.Cinciarini 11+2reb+1ast, R.Gaspardo 10+8reb+1ast, L.Pollone 8+4reb+2ast, R.Tavernelli 6+1reb+1ast, D.Magro 6+1reb
Nardo: R.Smith 37+1reb+1ast, A.Mouaha 18+7reb+2ast, W.Stewart Jr 9+9reb+1ast, R.Zugno 7+5reb+6ast, G.Pagani 4+6reb+1ast, A.Iannuzzi 4+7reb+2ast

gschID: 1184653

Orzinuovi – Pesaro 103-98

There was an upset when higher ranked Pesaro (17-12) lost on the road to fifteenth ranked Orzinuovi (10-18) 103-98 on Tuesday. Orzinuovi looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. American guard Gerel Simmons (189-1993, college: LMU, agency: Diamond Sports) notched 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and the other American import power forward Jarvis Williams (203-1993, college: Murray St.) supported him with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Four Orzinuovi players scored in double figures. Even 45 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds by American guard Khalil Ahmad (191-1996, college: CS Fullerton, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Pesaro. Swingman Lorenzo Bucarelli (198-1998) added 11 points and 11 assists. Orzinuovi moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with Juvi Cremona. Loser Pesaro dropped to the seventh position with 12 games lost. They share it with Verona and Fortitudo. Orzinuovi will meet league’s second-placed Rimini Crabs on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Pesaro will play against Torino (#13) and hope to secure a win and be promoted back to the Serie A just one year after relegation.
Top scorers:
Pesaro: K.Ahmad 45+6reb, V.King 13+6reb+1ast, L.Bucarelli 11+4reb+11ast, Q.De Laurentiis 6+6reb, D.Petrovic 6+9reb+2ast, E.Lombardi 6+5reb+1ast
Orzinuovi: G.Simmons 25+5reb+5ast, J.Williams 21+11reb+2ast, S.Bossi 17+2reb+8ast, A.Bertini 17+2reb+4ast, S.Moretti 9+7reb+1ast, C.Costi 5+3reb+2ast

gschID: 1184654

Piacenza – Vigevano 75-80

Rather predictable result when eighteenth ranked Vigevano (9-19) won against on the road bottom-ranked Piacenza (5-24) 80-75 on Wednesday. Point guard Filippo Rossi (193-1997) notched a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) to lead the effort and American point guard Myles Mack (178-1993, college: Rutgers) supported him with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Vigevano’s coach Lorenzo Pansa used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Even 23 points and 7 rebounds by American guard Derrick Marks (191-1993, college: Boise St., agency: Players Group) did not help to save the game for Piacenza. Michele Serpilli (201-1999) added 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Vigevano moved-up to seventeenth place. Piacenza lost third consecutive game. They stay dead last with 24 lost games. Vigevano will meet at home higher ranked Forli (#10) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Piacenza will play against Cividale (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Piacenza: D.Marks 23+7reb+2ast, U.D’Almeida 12+9reb, M.Serpilli 10+8reb+4ast, F.Bonacini 9+5reb, S.Bartoli 9+2reb+7ast, M.Gilmore 5+1reb
Vigevano: M.Mack 17+5reb+3ast, F.Rossi 16+11reb+3ast, A.Smith 8+1reb, G.Stefanini 8+5reb+1ast, M.Peroni 8+1reb+2ast, G.Leardini 7+1reb+5ast

gschID: 1184655

Rieti – Udine 70-75

An interesting game for Udine (22-7) which played road game in Rieti against 3rd ranked Rieti (18-11). First ranked Udine managed to get a 5-point victory 75-70. Udine made 22-of-24 charity shots (91.7 percent) during the game. American point guard Anthony Hickey (180-1992, college: OK State, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 18 points and 8 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import Xavier Johnson (201-1993, college: Colorado) chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American power forward Skylar Spencer (206-1994, college: SDSU, agency: Slash Sports) with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 14 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and the former international point guard Diego Monaldi (185-1993) scored 19 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Udine have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 22-7 record. Rieti at the other side dropped to the fourth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Cividale. Udine will play against Cantu (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Rieti will play against Fortitudo in Bologna and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Rieti: D.Monaldi 19+5reb+1ast, S.Spencer 13+14reb, A.Sarto 12+1ast, T.Palmi 9+2reb+1ast, A.Cicchetti 6+4reb, I.Lupusor 5+2reb
Udine: A.Hickey 18+8reb+2ast, X.Johnson 15+7reb+3ast, M.Alibegovic 11+2reb, S.Pepe 8+2reb+1ast, R.Pullazi 8+6reb, I.Ikangi 7+2reb

gschID: 1184656

Avellino – Cividale 81-85

The game in Avellino was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Cividale (18-11) played at the court of 8th ranked Avellino (16-12). Cividale managed to secure a 4-point victory 85-81 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Avellino. American-Panamanian guard Doron Lamb (191-1991, college: Kentucky) notched 21 points to lead the effort and the former international Francesco Ferrari (204-2005) supported him with 20 points (perfect from downtown making all five shots). Even 21 points and 7 rebounds by American forward Marcellus Earlington (198-2000, college: San Diego, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Avellino. Guard Federico Mussini (188-1996, college: St.John’s) added 18 points. Cividale moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Rieti. Newly promoted Avellino dropped to the tenth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Forli. Cividale will meet at home bottom-ranked Piacenza (#20) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Avellino will play against Livorno Libertas (#18) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Avellino: M.Earlington 21+7reb+3ast, J.Lewis 18+3reb+1ast, F.Mussini 18+3reb+3ast, M.Bortolin 8+8reb+2ast, A.Sabatino 8+1reb+1ast, M.Jurkatamm 3+3reb+3ast
Cividale: D.Lamb 21+1reb+2ast, F.Ferrari 20+3reb+1ast, G.Miani 13+3reb, G.Dell’Agnello 10+2reb+1ast, L.Marangon 8+6reb+3ast, E.Rota 8+6reb+2ast

gschID: 1184657

Rimini Crabs – Torino 80-85

gschID: 1184658

Cantu – Livorno Libertas 87-62

Not a big story in a game when 17th ranked Livorno Libertas (9-21) were outscored on the road by fourth ranked Cantu (19-10) 87-62 on Wednesday. The former international forward Grant Basile (206-2000, college: Virginia Tech) notched 18 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and American Tyrus McGee (188-1991, college: Iowa St.) supported him with 18 points. Four Cantu players scored in double figures. Even 17 points by American point guard Quinton Hooker (183-1995, college: N.Dakota) did not help to save the game for Livorno Libertas. Forward Luca Tozzi (200-1999) added 12 points and 6 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Cantu have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Livorno Libertas lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the eighteenth position with 21 games lost. Cantu will meet league’s leader Udine on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Livorno Libertas will play against Avellino (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Livorno Libertas: Q.Hooker 17+4reb+3ast, L.Tozzi 12+6reb+1ast, D.Buca 8+8reb, A.Filloy 7+1reb+2ast, T.Fantoni 6+1reb, A.Banks 6+3reb+5ast
Cantu: T.McGee 18+2reb+3ast, G.Basile 18+3reb+4ast, R.Moraschini 15+3reb+3ast, L.Possamai 14+5reb, D.Hogue 8+8reb, M.Piccoli 5+5reb+3ast

gschID: 1184659

Verona – Brindisi 82-63

The game between closely ranked teams ended with eleventh ranked Verona‘s (17-12) home victory over 12th ranked Brindisi (15-14) 82-63 on Wednesday. American guard Zach Copeland (193-1997, college: Illinois St.) notched 21 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and forward Ethan Esposito (201-1999, college: Sacramento St.) supported him with 16 points. Four Verona players scored in double figures. Verona’s coach Alessandro Ramagli used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds by forward Edoardo Del Cadia (203-1999, college: Detroit) did not help to save the game for Brindisi. American forward Mark Ogden (206-1994, college: Utah Tech) added 17 points. Verona have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Pesaro and Fortitudo. Loser Brindisi keeps the twelfth position with 14 games lost. Verona will meet higher ranked Milano Urania (#6) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Brindisi will play against Cento (#16) and hope to secure a win and be promoted back to the Serie A just one year after relegation.
Top scorers:
Brindisi: M.Ogden 17+4reb+1ast, T.Laquintana 14+3reb, E.Del Cadia 11+11reb+3ast, A.Calzavara 8+1reb+3ast, T.Radonjic 4+3reb, T.Fantoma 4+2reb
Verona: Z.Copeland 21+4reb+4ast, E.Esposito 16+4reb+1ast, M.Palumbo 11+4reb+2ast, L.Penna 10+4reb+4ast, L.Udom 9+2reb, J.Cannon 8+8reb+2ast

gschID: 1184660

Cento – Fortitudo BO 72-78

There was no surprise when 16th ranked Cento (10-19) lost at home to tenth ranked Fortitudo (17-12) 78-72 on Wednesday. The former international Pietro Aradori (195-1988) notched 25 points to lead the effort and American forward Deshawn Freeman (201-1994, college: Rutgers, agency: One Motive Sports) supported him with 13 points and 13 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Even 17 points and 5 rebounds by American guard Gabe DeVoe (191-1995, college: Clemson) did not help to save the game for Cento. His fellow American import forward Stacy Davis (198-1994, college: Pepperdine) added 14 points and 6 rebounds. Four Fortitudo and five Cento players scored in double figures. Cento’s coach Emanuele Di Paolantonio rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Fortitudo moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Pesaro and Verona. Loser Cento keeps the sixteenth position with 19 games lost. Fortitudo will meet at home higher ranked Rieti (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Cento will play against Brindisi (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cento: G.DeVoe 17+5reb+3ast, S.Davis 14+6reb+3ast, V.Nobile 12+2ast, C.Delfino 11+6reb+2ast, N.Berdini 10+5reb+2ast, L.Benvenuti 6+6reb
Fortitudo BO: P.Aradori 25+3reb+2ast, M.Fantinelli 13+3reb+4ast, F.Mian 13+4reb+2ast, D.Freeman 13+13reb+1ast, M.Cusin 6+2reb, A.Panni 3+3ast

gschID: 1184661

Juvi Cremona – Milano Urania 71-79

No shocking result in a game when ninth ranked Milano Urania (17-11) beat on the road 14th ranked Juvi Cremona (10-18) 79-71 on Wednesday. American guard Nathanial Potts (188-1995, college: MTSU) notched 18 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international point guard Andrea Amato (190-1994) supported him with 15 points and 7 assists. Even 22 points and 8 rebounds by American-Dominican point guard Eddy Polanco (193-1994, college: SE Louisiana, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Juvi Cremona. Point guard Gianmarco Bertetti (179-2001) added 15 points and 6 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Milano Urania moved-up to sixth place. Juvi Cremona lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 18 games lost. They share it with Orzinuovi. Milano Urania will meet at home Verona (#8) in the next round. Juvi Cremona will play against Nardo (#19) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Juvi Cremona: E.Polanco 22+8reb+1ast, G.Bertetti 15+3reb+6ast, A.Morgillo 13+3reb, A.Zampogna 11+3ast, Y.Giombini 5+5reb, S.Barbante 4+4reb+3ast
Milano Urania: N.Potts 18+6reb+3ast, L.Maspero 16+5reb+4ast, A.Amato 15+4reb+7ast, I.Joseph Udanoh 13+10reb, M.Cavallero 7+3reb, K.Ndzie 4+4reb