Carver Roma confirms itself as the most indigestible team for Confelici Carni Cagliari. The team from the capital imposes itself with authority in Game 1 of the playoff quarterfinals of the Serie B Interregionale: it ends 80-62, with the home team immediately ahead 1-0 in the series.
And to say that Esperia had started with a positive attitude, remaining in the slipstream for the first 15'. Then, however, the game took a very specific direction: that of the Romans, dragged by a stellar performance in heavy shooting, with Lucarelli and Benincasa absolute protagonists. The Roman winger closed with 6 triples out of 9 attempts, leading the decisive run on +22 at the long break.
Too low, however, the percentage from outside for the rossoblù, who stopped at a disappointing 4/23 from the arc (17%). A figure that weighs, as well as the absences of Potì and Cabriolu, and the less than optimal conditions of Locci and Bartolozzi.
Race 2 will take place on Thursday evening (9pm) at Monte Mixi: to extend the series and bring everything to a “deal”, a decisive reaction will be needed.
The game. The start is a battle: two minutes without baskets, then Carver breaks the balance with a mini-partial of 5-0, immediately cancelled by the 7-0 Cagliari. The first fraction is tough, full of contact and intense defenses, and ends with the Romans ahead 14-10.
The second quarter is the turning point. Tretta's team increases the engine revs, finds offensive continuity and begins to hit with precision from the arc. Esperia swerves: Lucarelli is unstoppable, and the home team flies to 47-25 at the long break.
In the third quarter, Maresca tries to shake up his team with a three-pointer in transition for -16. But Carver is lucid and immediately regains the lead, also taking advantage of the guests' foul problems: Bartolozzi has to leave the field already in the third period for five personal points.
In the last quarter, Lucarelli opens with a triple for +25 (71-46) that definitively extinguishes the hopes of a comeback for the rossoblù. Coach Manca also tries a zone defense, but it is too late. There is room for the youngsters D'Elia and Pili, who show good things in the final, but the substance does not change: Carver defends the home field advantage and takes Game 1.
Carver-Esperia 80-62
Carver Roma : Di Bello 3, Scianaro 9, Toti 2, Maiolo 4, Vitale 3, Lucarelli 20, Martino 2, Benincasa 15, Galli 11, Pagnanelli 11, Pizziconi. Coach Tretta
Confelici Carni Cagliari : N. Manca 7, Cabriolu ne, D'Elia 2, Giordano 13, Villani, Thiam 14, Picciau 2, Locci, Maresca 7, Bartolozzi 6, Pili 2, Sanna 9. Coach F. Manca
Partials : 14-10; 47-25; 68-46