Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Serie A2 top team – Rimini (11-1) added another victory to their record on Sunday. This time they beat thirteenth ranked Livorno Libertas (4-8) 78-74. It was a good game for the former international swingman Pierpaolo Marini (193-1993, agency: Players Group) who led his team to a victory with 25 points and 6 rebounds. American Justin Johnson (200-1996, college: WKU) contributed with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Quinton Hooker (183-1995, college: N.Dakota) replied with 24 points and 4 assists for Livorno Libertas. Rimini have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 11-1 record. Newly promoted Livorno Libertas dropped to the fourteenth place with eight games lost. They share the position with 5 other teams. Rimini are looking forward to face Vigevano (#14) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Livorno Libertas will play against Fortitudo in Bologna and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Forli was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Cantu (9-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Forli (6-6). Cantu managed to secure a 5-point victory 76-71. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Grant Basile (206-2000, college: Virginia Tech) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 7 rebounds and Riccardo Moraschini who added 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Demonte Harper (193-1989, college: Morehead St.) with 14 points and 7 assists. Forli’s coach Antimo Martino rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Cantu moved-up to third place, which they share with Milano Urania and Udine. Forli at the other side keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Orzinuovi. Cantu will play against Juvi Cremona (#11) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Forli will play against Milano Urania and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Rieti (7-5) and Juvi Cremona (5-7), which took place in Cremona. Higher ranked Rieti lost to fourteenth ranked Juvi Cremona in a road game 83-97 on Sunday. The winners were led by Lorenzo Tortu who scored that evening 21 points and 9 rebounds. Even 17 points and 4 assists by Diego Monaldi did not help to save the game for Rieti. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Juvi Cremona moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Torino. Rieti lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. They share it with Verona. Juvi Cremona will meet higher ranked Cantu (#4) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Rieti will play against Orzinuovi and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 12: bottom-ranked Piacenza was beaten by Brindisi on the road 79-68. Udine won against Vigevano on its own court 93-87. Fortitudo unfortunately lost to Cividale in a road game 75-86. Orzinuovi managed to beat Verona at home 72-64. Cento was defeated by Pesaro on the opponent’s court 78-60. Avellino beat Nardo in a home game 92-74. Milano Urania won against Torino on the road 81-71.
The most impressive performance of 12th round was 16 points and 7 rebounds by Ike Joseph Udanoh of Milano Urania.

Brindisi – Piacenza 79-68

The game between closely ranked teams ended with nineteenth ranked Brindisi‘s (4-8) home victory over bottom-ranked Piacenza (2-10) 79-68 on Monday. Brindisi made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Brindisi outrebounded Piacenza 40-26 including 25 on the defensive glass. The winners were led by naturalized Montenegrin forward Todor Radonjic (197-1997) who scored that evening 16 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots) and Cape Verdean-Portuguese Ivan Almeida (197-1989, college: Stonehill) supported him with 11 points and 5 rebounds. Even 12 points by swingman Niccolo Filoni (196-2001) did not help to save the game for Piacenza. American Desonta Bradford (193-1996, college: ETSU, agency: Players Group) added 8 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brindisi moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with 5 other teams. Piacenza lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with ten games lost. Brindisi will meet at home Pesaro (#18) in the next round. Piacenza will play against Torino and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Piacenza: N.Filoni 12+4reb+2ast, M.Serpilli 12+2reb, N.Grimes 12+4reb, F.Bonacini 10+1reb+5ast, D.Bradford 8+5reb+5ast, O.Suljanovic 4+4reb
Brindisi: T.Radonjic 16+6reb+1ast, T.Fantoma 15+3reb, T.Laquintana 12+2reb, I.Almeida 11+5reb+3ast, A.Calzavara 10+6reb+3ast, K.Ndzie 8+8reb+2ast

gschID: 1184473

Udine – Vigevano 93-87

Very expected game when 15th ranked Vigevano (4-8) lost on the road to third ranked Udine (9-3) 93-87 on Sunday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. The winners were led by American point guard Anthony Hickey (180-1992, college: OK State, agency: Octagon Europe) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 21 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists and the other American import Xavier Johnson (201-1993, college: Colorado) supported him with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Even 17 points and 9 assists by American point guard Myles Mack (178-1993, college: Rutgers) did not help to save the game for Vigevano. Guard Gabriele Stefanini (191-1999, college: USF, agency: BIG) added 24 points (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Five Udine and four Vigevano players scored in double figures. Udine maintains third position with 9-3 record having just two points less than leader Rimini, which they share with Cantu and Milano Urania. Loser Vigevano dropped to the fourteenth place with eight games lost. They share the position with 5 other teams. Udine will meet Verona (#6) on the road in the next round. Vigevano will play against the league’s leader Rimini (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Vigevano: G.Stefanini 24+2reb+2ast, M.Mack 17+4reb+9ast, F.Rossi 11+7reb+1ast, P.Oduro 10+1reb+1ast, K.Strautmanis 8+1reb, M.Galassi 7+2reb
Udine: A.Hickey 21+7reb+10ast, X.Johnson 19+12reb+2ast, I.Ikangi 14+3reb+1ast, M.Alibegovic 13+3reb, M.Da Ros 10+7reb+3ast, L.Ambrosin 9+2reb+1ast

gschID: 1184474

Cividale – Fortitudo BO 86-75

Very predictable result when second ranked Cividale (10-2) won against at home 12th ranked Fortitudo (4-7) 86-75 on Saturday. Cividale made 24-of-30 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The winners were led by naturalized Argentinian point guard Lucio Redivo (183-1994) who scored that evening 25 points and power forward Giacomo DellAgnello (198-1994) supported him with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 24 points by the former international forward Fabio Mian (196-1992) did not help to save the game for Fortitudo. American forward Deshawn Freeman (201-1994, college: Rutgers, agency: One Motive Sports) added 16 points and 7 rebounds. Cividale have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 10-2 record behind leader Rimini. Fortitudo lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the thirteenth place with seven games lost. Cividale will meet Nardo (#16) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Fortitudo will play against Livorno Libertas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fortitudo BO: F.Mian 24+4reb+1ast, D.Freeman 16+7reb+3ast, K.Gabriel 12+8reb+1ast, L.Battistini 9+4reb+1ast, R.Bolpin 8+1reb+6ast, M.Fantinelli 4+4reb+4ast
Cividale: L.Redivo 25+3reb+2ast, G.Dell’Agnello 19+6reb+4ast, E.Rota 9+3reb+5ast, D.Marks 9+2reb, M.Mastellari 8+2reb+1ast, F.Ferrari 8+5reb+1ast

gschID: 1184475

Juvi Cremona – Rieti 97-83

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Rieti (7-5) and Juvi Cremona (5-7), which took place in Cremona. Higher ranked Rieti lost to fourteenth ranked Juvi Cremona in a road game 83-97 on Sunday. The winners were led by forward Lorenzo Tortu (202-1992) who scored that evening 21 points and 9 rebounds and point guard Federico Massone (191-1998) supported him with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 17 points and 4 assists by the former international point guard Diego Monaldi (185-1993) did not help to save the game for Rieti. The former international point guard Marco Spanghero (185-1991) added 17 points. Four Rieti players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Juvi Cremona moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Torino. Rieti lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. They share it with Verona. Juvi Cremona will meet higher ranked Cantu (#4) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Rieti will play against Orzinuovi and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rieti: M.Spanghero 17+3reb+3ast, D.Monaldi 17+2reb+4ast, S.Spencer 15+7reb, J.Johnson 10+1reb+2ast, G.Piunti 7+6reb, A.Cicchetti 6+1reb
Juvi Cremona: L.Tortu 21+9reb, E.Polanco 21+2reb, F.Massone 15+5reb+4ast, I.Brown 12+1reb+1ast, S.Barbante 8+5reb+2ast, Y.Giombini 8+7reb+1ast

gschID: 1184476

Forli – Cantu 71-76

The game in Forli was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Cantu (9-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Forli (6-6). Cantu managed to secure a 5-point victory 76-71. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Grant Basile (206-2000, college: Virginia Tech) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 7 rebounds and the former international guard Riccardo Moraschini (194-1991) who added 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Demonte Harper (193-1989, college: Morehead St.) with 14 points and 7 assists and Croatian guard Toni Perkovic (191-1998, agency: AltusBasket) scored 12 points and 4 assists. Forli’s coach Antimo Martino rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Cantu moved-up to third place, which they share with Milano Urania and Udine. Forli at the other side keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Orzinuovi. Cantu will play against Juvi Cremona (#11) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Forli will play against Milano Urania and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Forli: D.Harper 14+3reb+7ast, R.Gaspardo 13+5reb+1ast, T.Perkovic 12+4reb+4ast, A.Del Chiaro 8+1reb, D.Pascolo 7+10reb, L.Pollone 6+1ast
Cantu: G.Basile 25+7reb+3ast, R.Moraschini 13+8reb+4ast, J.Riismaa 10+1reb+1ast, A.De Nicolao 7+4reb+4ast, F.Valentini 7+2reb+5ast, L.Possamai 6+3reb+1ast

gschID: 1184477

Livorno Libertas – Rimini 74-78

gschID: 1184478

Orzinuovi – Verona 72-64

There was a minor upset when 6th ranked Verona (7-5) lost on the road to ninth ranked Orzinuovi (6-6) 72-64 on Sunday. Orzinuovi looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The winners were led by American power forward Jarvis Williams (203-1993, college: Murray St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds and Luca Vencato (194-1995, agency: SLN) supported him with 11 points and 9 assists. Four Orzinuovi players scored in double figures. Even 23 points by Georgian-American point guard Jacob Pullen (183-1989, college: Kansas St., agency: AltusBasket) did not help to save the game for Verona. Forward Ethan Esposito (201-1999, college: Sacramento St.) added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Orzinuovi moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Forli. Loser Verona keeps the sixth position with five games lost. They share it with Rieti. Orzinuovi will meet higher ranked Rieti (#7) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Verona will play against Udine and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Verona: J.Pullen 23+1reb+3ast, E.Esposito 13+5reb+4ast, J.Cannon 10+6reb+1ast, M.Palumbo 7+11reb+3ast, L.Udom 5+9reb+4ast, L.Faggian 4+4reb+1ast
Orzinuovi: J.Williams 14+10reb+3ast, S.Pepe 12+2reb, L.Vencato 11+2reb+9ast, S.Moretti 10+4reb+2ast, M.Bogliardi 9+1reb+2ast, T.Guariglia 7+5reb

gschID: 1184479

Pesaro – Cento 78-60

There was a small surprise when nineteenth ranked Pesaro (4-8) defeated at home 16th ranked Cento (4-8) 78-60 on Sunday. The winners were led by American forward VJ King (198-1997, college: Louisville, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored that evening 20 points and 6 rebounds and the former international point guard Matteo Imbro (192-1994) supported him with 6 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Four Pesaro players scored in double figures. Pesaro’s coach Stefano Sacripanti used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds by American forward Stacy Davis (198-1994, college: Pepperdine) did not help to save the game for Cento. Guard Nicolas Tanfoglio (179-2005) added 17 points. Pesaro moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated Cento. Pesaro will meet Brindisi (#19) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Cento will play against Avellino (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cento: S.Davis 18+10reb+1ast, N.Tanfoglio 17+3reb+2ast, T.Henderson Jr. 9+9reb+3ast, L.Benvenuti 9+4reb, A.Sperduto 3, V.Nobile 2+2reb+1ast
Pesaro: V.King 20+6reb, Q.De Laurentiis 14+4reb+1ast, L.Bucarelli 13+2ast, E.Lombardi 13+3reb+1ast, S.Zanotti 7+3reb+1ast, M.Imbro 6+5reb+10ast

gschID: 1184480

Avellino – Nardo 92-74

There was no surprise when 17th ranked Nardo (4-8) lost on the road to eleventh ranked Avellino (5-6) 92-74 on Sunday. Avellino shot 64.9 percent from the field. The winners were led by naturalized Argentinian center Matias Bortolin (208-1993, agency: Interperformances) who scored that evening 16 points and 9 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) and American Jaren Lewis (201-1996, college: ACU) supported him with 17 points and 4 assists. Five Avellino players scored in double figures. Avellino’s coach Alessandro Crotti used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 20 points by American Wayne Stewart Jr (201-1996, college: A&M-Commerce) did not help to save the game for Nardo. The former international power forward Antonio Iannuzzi (208-1991) added 15 points and 7 rebounds. Avellino moved-up to tenth place. Nardo lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the fourteenth position with eight games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Avellino will meet Cento (#17) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Nardo will play against the league’s second-placed Cividale where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Nardo: W.Stewart Jr 20+2reb+3ast, A.Iannuzzi 15+7reb, A.Woodson 12+2reb+3ast, L.Donadio 8+3reb+1ast, R.Zugno 7, E.Thioune 6+5reb
Avellino: J.Lewis 17+4reb+4ast, M.Bortolin 16+9reb+3ast, A.Sabatino 15+2reb+3ast, F.Mussini 13+1reb+5ast, M.Earlington 13+6reb+2ast, A.Nikolic 10+2reb

gschID: 1184481

Torino – Milano Urania 71-81

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Milano Urania (9-3) beat on the road 10th ranked Torino (5-7) 81-71 on Sunday. The winners were led by American guard Nathanial Potts (188-1995, college: MTSU) who scored that evening 17 points and 7 rebounds and Nigerian-American power forward Ike Joseph Udanoh (207-1989, college: WSU) supported him with 16 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots). Four Milano Urania players scored in double figures. Even 16 points and 8 rebounds by Nigerian-American forward Ife Josh Ajayi (201-1996, college: USA, agency: Players Group) did not help to save the game for Torino. American swingman Kevion Taylor (196-1999, college: Valpo) added 16 points. Torino’s coach Matteo Boniciolli tested ten players, but that didn’t help to avoid defeat in this game. Milano Urania have an impressive six-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Cantu and Udine. Loser Torino dropped to the eleventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Juvi Cremona. Milano Urania will meet at home Forli (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Torino will play against Piacenza and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Torino: I.Josh Ajayi 16+8reb+1ast, K.Taylor 16+1reb, A.Gallo 10+3reb+3ast, A.Landi 9+3reb+1ast, M.Schina 6+1reb+2ast, G.Severini 6+2reb
Milano Urania: G.Leggio 18+4reb+1ast, N.Potts 17+7reb+1ast, I.Joseph Udanoh 16+7reb+1ast, A.Gentile 14+2reb+7ast, A.Amato 8+3reb+4ast, L.Maspero 5+2reb+4ast