Unahotels-Trapani 89-94, Reggio fights but the 2 points are taken by the Sicilians

Reggio Emilia, 9 March 2025 – TheUnahotels fight but in the end he has to surrender to a Trapani that, over the distance, proves to be superior to the red and whites, more physically toned overall and, above all, more lucid in its readings at the decisive moment of the contest.

No drama, it must be said right away, but certainly the 4530 of the PalaBigi they dreamed of a different ending, even if captain Vitali and his teammates did not do badly overall. Their opponents simply proved to be stronger.

However, for the umpteenth time, Pallacanestro Reggiana has shown itself to be a team that never gives up. And this bodes well for the rest of the season. May the meeting be a climate playoff This is demonstrated by the nervousness with which both teams take to the field: making a series of errors, even after good readings.

The first basket arrives after a good 3', signed by Grant with a powerful dunk. At half time the scoreboard then indicates a narrow 4-4. With the first changes it is the guests who benefit the most, with an immediate 7-0 in their favor that forces Priftis to take an immediate time-out. The Sicilian forcing however continues and Trapani also reaches a double-digit margin, closing with an eleven-point advantage in the first quarter with a very solid Horton and a deadly Notae, who scores 11 points in 10', in evidence.

In the second period Unahotels registers some mechanisms, improves the ball circulation and the percentages and so, also dragged by a warm crowd like never before, takes a bit of inertia and at 6' comes back (27-28) thanks above all to a very precise Vitali author of two consecutive "bombs". The hosts also put their nose ahead and then close, thanks to excellent initiatives by Winston and Smith the first 20' ahead 42-39.

Upon returning to the parquet after the long break, Reggio is definitely better on the ball. The experienced opposing coach, Reweighed, he realizes it immediately and calls a time-out after less than a minute of play.

But the red and white break continues until 9-0 which is worth the +12 internal of the 3'. To raise the fortunes of Trapani is the ex of the moment, Galloway, who scores three consecutive shots on target that put the Granata back on track.

This time it's Sportinvest's turn to take the lead, but a great basket of Smith allows Unahotels to still be ahead in the final fraction: even if by a hair's breadth. The start, however, this time, speaks Sicilian: Reggio loses two bloody balls, the opponents score as many "triples" and on 67-72 in the 2nd minute Priftis tries to stop the inertia of the guests with a minute's break, but the move does not produce dividends.

Vitali and his teammates also appear to be in physical trouble and when Eboua scores the “bomb” for +9 (73-82) at 7', the outcome of the match is over. However, Reggio is committed until the end, even if they are unable to reverse the trend.

The little table

UNAHOTELS: Barford 17, Winston 25, Faye 6, Smith 11, Uglietti, Vitali 9, Faried 9, Grant 4, Chillo, Cheatham 5. Ne: Gallo and Fainke. All.: Priftis.

SPORTINVEST: Notae 21, Horton 20, Robinson 14, Rossato, Alibegovic 11, Galloway 11, Petrucelli 2, Yeboah 10, Brown, Eboua 5. Ne Mollura and Gentile. All.: Repesa

Referees: Carmelo Lo Guzzo, Fabrizio Paglialunga, Marco Catani

Partial scores: 10-21, 42-39, 65-64

Notes: spectators: 4530; 3-pointers: Unahotels 8/29, Sportinvest 11/31; free throws: Reggio Emilia 21/25, Trapani 21/26.