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 Verona between third ranked Rieti (18-10) and eleventh ranked Verona (16-12) on Wednesday night. Rieti was crushed by Verona on the road 69-47. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Rieti. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Zach Copeland (193-1997, college: Illinois St.) who helped to win the game recording 12 points and 5 rebounds and the former international Mattia Palumbo (198-2000) who added 8 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side the former international point guard Diego Monaldi (185-1993) responded with 12 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Verona moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Fortitudo. Rieti at the other side keeps the third position with ten games lost. They share it with Cantu. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
An interesting game took place in Torino where higher ranked Fortitudo (16-12) was upset on the court of thirteenth ranked Torino (12-16) 82-64. The winners were led by American swingman Kevion Taylor (196-1999, college: Valpo) who scored that evening 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Ife Josh Ajayi supported him with 27 points. Even 12 points and 5 assists by the former international guard Matteo Fantinelli (195-1993) did not help to save the game for Fortitudo. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Torino maintains thirteenth position with 12-16 record. Fortitudo lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Verona. Torino will play against Livorno Libertas (#17) at home in the next round. Fortitudo will have a break next round.

In the last two games of round 28 Pesaro destroyed Cento on the opponent’s court 97-76. Livorno Libertas unfortunately lost to Brindisi in a home game 69-77.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 27 points and 5 rebounds by Adrian Banks of Livorno Libertas.

Torino – Fortitudo BO 82-64

An interesting game took place in Torino where higher ranked Fortitudo (16-12) was upset on the court of thirteenth ranked Torino (12-16) 82-64. Torino players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. The winners were led by American swingman Kevion Taylor (196-1999, college: Valpo) who scored that evening 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Nigerian-American forward Ife Josh Ajayi (201-1996, college: USA, agency: Players Group) supported him with 27 points. Even 12 points and 5 assists by the former international guard Matteo Fantinelli (195-1993) did not help to save the game for Fortitudo. American forward Deshawn Freeman (201-1994, college: Rutgers, agency: One Motive Sports) added 13 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Torino maintains thirteenth position with 12-16 record. Fortitudo lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Verona. Torino will play against Livorno Libertas (#17) at home in the next round. Fortitudo will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fortitudo BO: D.Freeman 13+5reb+1ast, M.Fantinelli 12+4reb+5ast, F.Mian 11+3reb+1ast, M.Cusin 8+4reb, L.Vencato 8+4reb+5ast, A.Panni 5+1reb+2ast
Torino: I.Josh Ajayi 27+4reb+1ast, K.Taylor 21+6reb+6ast, G.Severini 10+4reb, M.Ghirlanda 7+3reb+1ast, M.Montano 7+3reb+2ast, M.Schina 3+4reb+8ast

gschID: 1184636

Cento – Pesaro 76-97

Very expected game when 15th ranked Cento (10-18) was crushed at home by seventh ranked Pesaro (17-11) 97-76. Pesaro made 21-of-26 charity shots (80.8 percent) during the game. The winners were led by swingman Lorenzo Bucarelli (198-1998) who scored that evening 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and American guard Khalil Ahmad (191-1996, college: CS Fullerton, agency: Octagon Europe) supported him with 23 points. Five Pesaro players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists 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 22 points for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Pesaro have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Cividale. Cento at the other side keeps the fifteenth position with 18 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Cento: S.Davis 22+3reb, L.Benvenuti 17+2reb+1ast, G.DeVoe 14+10reb+6ast, C.Delfino 8+3reb+1ast, V.Nobile 5+1ast, N.Berdini 4+2reb+3ast
Pesaro: K.Ahmad 23+3reb+2ast, L.Bucarelli 16+8reb+5ast, E.Lombardi 11+4reb+2ast, D.Petrovic 11+1reb+2ast, Q.De Laurentiis 10+6reb, V.King 10+8reb+1ast

gschID: 1184637

Verona – Rieti 69-47

gschID: 1184638

Livorno Libertas – Brindisi 69-77

Rather predictable result when twelfth ranked Brindisi (15-13) defeated on the road 16th ranked Livorno Libertas (9-19) 77-69. Brindisi made 25-of-30 charity shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Livorno Libertas were plagued by 28 personal fouls down the stretch. The winners were led by guard Andrea Calzavara (195-2001) who scored that evening 26 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Mark Ogden (206-1994, college: Utah Tech) supported him with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Even 27 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!) by American-Israeli Adrian Banks (191-1986, college: Arkansas St.) did not help to save the game for Livorno Libertas. Naturalized Romanian center Dorin Buca (216-2002) added 9 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Livorno Libertas’ coach Marco Andreazza rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Brindisi have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain twelfth position with 15-13 record. Livorno Libertas lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the seventeenth place with 19 games lost. Brindisi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Livorno Libertas will play on the road against Torino (#13) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Livorno Libertas: A.Banks 27+5reb+2ast, Q.Hooker 9+7reb+2ast, D.Buca 9+9reb+3ast, N.Italiano 9+5reb+1ast, A.Filloy 5+6reb+2ast, T.Fantoni 5+3reb+1ast
Brindisi: A.Calzavara 26+7reb+1ast, M.Ogden 19+8reb, I.Brown 17+4reb, T.Radonjic 5+6reb+1ast, E.Del Cadia 4+7reb, T.Laquintana 4+4reb+1ast