Siena Note now at +4 on the Piedmontese. Mens Sana, a success as precious as gold. Leap for salvation

Mens Healthy 71 Don Bosco Crocetta 62

HEALTHY MIND: Tilli ne, Belli 2, Pannini 5, Ragusa 7, Marrucci 2, Pucci 14, Sabia 8, Prosepranti ne, Ivanaj 19, Prosek ne, Tognazzi 5, Jokic 9. Coach: Betti.

CROSS: Andreutti 13, Hida 6, Paggetto 17, Pasquini n/a, Trigiani, Ugues 10, Rosso n/a, Villar 5, Barla 8, Begni, Sakovic. Coach: Maino.

Referees: Course, Vozzella.

Partial: 16-16, 33-27, 52-47.

SIENA - It is a victory that is worth a lot, the one obtained by Mens Healthy on Don Bosco Crocetta for 71-62: a real milestone towards the direct salvation considering that the success allows Note di Siena to remain at the top, put 4 points of separation on the direct competitors from Piedmont and, moreover, overturn the difference in their favor the difference in baskets after the -8 of the first leg. With Prosek still out of the game due to injury, and with Marrucci and Tognazzi coming off a week that was not optimal from a physical point of view, coach Paolo Betti relied on Jokic and Sabia in the starting five, then joined by Pannini, Belli and Pucci on the outside. The first quarter was extremely balanced where, thanks to the baskets of Sabia and Pucci, Note di Siena managed to keep up with Crocetta who always tried to accelerate and increase the number of possessions. The tie at 16 with which we went into the first mini-interval was broken by a mini-break by Mensano (10-2) crowned by a 4-point play by Ivanaj. The reaction of Turin was not long in coming and, thanks to rapid offensive transitions, Crocetta scored a counter-break (9-0) that gave them the advantage on 27-26 with 2'30" to go in the long interval. Marrucci, Sabia and a triple by Tognazzi allowed Mens Sana to re-establish the distances on +6 at half time. Two triples by the Piedmontese at the beginning of the second half brought the match back to parity. The result was an extremely balanced period (like the rest of the match), in which both teams faced each other openly, answering each other blow for blow. Only thanks to a last-minute basket by Pucci did Note di Siena re-establish the +5 with which they entered the last quarter. Here came 5 points in a row for Ivanaj that made Mens Sana further extend their lead, while Pucci had the temporary +10 (59-49). It was the push that decided the match. Pannini's triple for the 66-55 put the game on ice, Ivanaj's shot shortly after (71-58) also secured the basket difference, despite a few too many turnovers at the end. Crocetta tried to save the basket difference and also had a last chance of the match with Andreutti: however his 3-point shot was short and the result remained anchored on the final 71-62 for Mens Sana.