Acqua S.Bernardo beat Verona after a tough fight and won the 2024 edition of the Angel’s Trophy.
THE NEWS
Determined start from Verona, who dominated the game thanks to an excellent percentage from beyond the arc. However, Acqua S.Bernardo, driven by McGee’s baskets, regained the two possession deficit and overtook because of a triple from its American guard. Cantù extended in the last minutes and the first quarter ends 20-15.
De Nicolao opened the quarter with a triple for a new maximum lead, Verona tried to stay connected with Palumbo, but Valentini responded immediately. The visitors relied on baskets from Pullen and Cannon to return, which returned two possessions. Basile raised the shots and stopped Cantù. Pullen and Basile battled long distances in the final minute, but the final basket belonged to the blue and whites, leading at the break 48-40.
McGee’s triple was the first double-digit lead of the game. Verona, however, did not give up and with Esposito and Pullen came back within two possessions. Burns broke Cantù quickly, but Pullen continued his personal performance and Tezensi reached -2. Valentini hit a big triple, but Verona didn’t stop and closed out the 65-63 win.
Acqua S. Bernardo came out of the last moment of the break with great inertia and quickly regained an 8 point lead. Verona broke the deadlock and with Palumbo got back one possession. De Nicolao scored four points in a row, but above all the defense of Cantù was the basis for the partial that allowed Acqua S.Bernardo to reach a nine point lead. Verona responded by relying on Pullen and Palumbo. The ending was a close fight, but Baldi Rossi’s free throws closed the contest. It ends 87-81.
ACQUA S. BERNARDO CANTÙ – TEZENIS VERONA 87 – 81 (20-15, 28-25, 17-23, 22-18)
Water in S.Bernardo Cantù: Valentini 5, Baldi Rossi 11, De Nicolao 18, Piccoli 6, Beltrami, Basile 20, Burns 7, Riismaa 4, McGee 9, Possamai 7, Diouf NE
Tezenis Verona: Pullen 18, Mbacke 2, Cannon 11, Gazzotti, Airhienbuwa 6, Palumbo 16, Esposito 7, Penna 13, Faggian 8, Bartoli.
THE STATEMENTS
“It was a good, real game and against a strong team like Verona. We played with high intensity and we were good in long stretches, especially in the second half when Piccoli had to stop and shortened the rotations of the guards. – comments of coach Nicola Brienza – We need to eliminate some unnecessary mistakes, some small turnovers and some situations that need to be managed better in some moments. We still have a week of preseason to work and improve, to try to do the best we can in the Super Cup.