Treviso-Unahotels 90-94: Reggio's away win. Nutribullet falls in overtime

Reggio Emilia, 9 February 2025 – A victory with a very high specific weight for Unahotels, despite a bad approach to the match, which conquers the PalaVerde in Treviso following extra time (the second consecutive after the one in Bcl last Tuesday against the Turkish team Petkimspor) and takes a big step forward in view of the playoffs. Succeeding despite having to do without for two quarters Faried. Put in order ko from an involuntary elbow from Mazzola which caused him severe trauma and a wound to the eyebrow arch, while he was in great form.

So the veteran class thought about it Smith, combined with the talent, inconsistent but at times deadly, of Winston, to the solidity of Burford and to the "bombs" of Cheatham in extra time, to bring the match to the port of Reggio. Not to mention the great defensive performance of Faye.

Horror Departure for Unahotels, who makes a mess in attack, accuses defensive lapses and in just 2' is down 10-2. Which pushes Priftis to an immediate time-out. The move, however, does not have any particular effects and the Emilians end up at -15 (24-9) at 6. Thanks to a Smith tonic and to a precious one Vitali, Reggio plugs some gaps and so, at the first siren, the gap is more dignified: 26-18. Also because the reserves of Nutribullet they are unable to guarantee equal dividends to the owners. The red and white forcing continues at the start of the second period, with a 6-0 break they definitively get back into the game.

The red and whites manage to get back to -1, before some well-timed whistles, but with a very strict measure, give the hosts back their inertia. Furthermore a chance collision takes Faried away, the most fit Reggio Emilia native, from the field. So, at the long interval, Nutribullet is eight points ahead. Very little is scored on the return to the parquet, in the context of a very nervous match full of errors. The score remains balanced and this helps Reggio, which holds its own against several substitutes on the field for several minutes. Unahotels also takes the lead at the end of the fraction; even if at the last 10' we get to Treviso still in front, by a hair's breadth. The Venetians try to get a head start at the 5', going back ahead by 5 points which in a low-scoring match can be important. But This year's Reggio is still untamed, and the afternoon in the Marca is no exception. The reaction arrives and the match returns to a draw (70-70).

The challenge is decided in the final possessions. At 74-74 all, Barford, under par until that moment, makes 1/2 free throws then scores a great basket following a nice offensive rebound by Faye. Treviso misses two consecutive 3-pointers with former Olisevicius, but captures as many balls under the boards and finally Harrison scores the “triple” to tie the game. The last shot is for Unahotels but Winston doesn't score. The visiting team approaches overtime in the best way possible; with Cheatham, two consecutive "bombs", Priftis' troops extend their lead to +6 (81-87) and it is another 3-point conclusion, scored by the veteran Smith, that brings the red and whites to +7 and closes it, in fact, in favor of Reggio.

NUTRIBULLET: Bowman 17, Harrison 13, Torresani 4, Mascolo 10, Mazzola, Mezzanotte, Caroline 6, Pellegrino 3, Olisevicius 19, Paulicap 16, Macura 2. N/A: De Marchi. Coach: Vitucci

UNAHOTELS: Barford 14, Winston 19, Faye 4, Smith 19, Uglietti 5, Fainke 2, Vitali 8, Faried 10, Grant, Chillo, Cheatham 13. Ne: Gallo. All.: Priftis.