Sella, Davis's shoulder to safety. In Livorno a victory that is worth the lead

libertas livorno

73

saddle one hundred

76

LIBERTAS: Banks 23, Allinei 15, Hole 10, Italian 10, Hooker 8, Filloy 3, Fantoni 3, Fratto 1, Bargnesi, Paoletti, Tozzi. Coach Di Carlo.

SADDLE HUNDRED: Davis 34, Devoe 16, Benvenuti 9, Berdini 5, Alessandrini 4, Delfino 3, Sperduto 3, Nobile 2, Tanfoglio, Graziani, Moretti. Coach Di Paolantonio.

Referees: Puccini, Pecorella and Ugolini.

Notes: partials 15-11; 33-33; 50-53.

Another blitz, another away win, by a Sella that never ceases to surprise and takes another, enormous, leap towards salvation. In front of a sold-out PalaMacchia, the red and whites show off another sumptuous performance, confirming themselves as an away team (six wins in the last seven) and clear in the sprint: as in Brindisi and Avellino, also in Livorno the one to prevail in the final is Benedetto, always in the sign of a devastating Davis (34 points in 35 minutes, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, for a 45 evaluation), to take the scene as it has done so many other times this season. Double success in a single game: Tuscans beaten like in the first leg, now four points down and 2-0 in the direct clashes. Balance from start to finish, with no one ever managing to escape, except Sella in the final, with two points in the bag and the joy of another Sunday as a pirate. The start promises well, 8-2 at mid-quarter, then Banks wakes up and the first pains arrive: counter-break and Amaranto advantage at the first gong, 15-11 at 10'. The match definitely heats up in the second quarter, with Di Carlo's team caressing the +5, but just a couple of possessions and Davis returns to the chair again: another 5-0 and parity (22-22 at 14').

Before the break, another remarkable series of exchanges, with the usual Davis and Banks on the launch pad. The last shots of the first half are once again fired by the big man from Cento, and it's tied again (33-33 at 20'). Upon returning, Benvenuti from Livorno also takes part in the show, on the other side the veteran Filloy responds, then Davis again, devilish, for a double advantage that gives illusion (40-46 and 47-53), before the snatch of Allinei and his subsequent support on the counterattack, which liven up the atmosphere and Libertas (50-53 at 30'). Again Allinei, in the last quarter, nails the tie at 55, then Sella runs away again with Berdini on +7 (58-65 at 35'), before being caught up by Italiano and Banks (tied 67 at 38'). Last minute and a half of breathlessness, with Davis and Allinei putting on a show, before Benvenuti's free throw, which marks the +3 with 9'' to go. Banks for the tie, post. Cento wins, 76-73.

Giovanni Poggi