Pallacanestro Titano’s winning streak came to an end in Casalecchio di Reno, where the team fell 74-70 to Cvd at the close of a match that remained finely balanced until the last possessions. The Titans, ahead by two points at the end of the third quarter, were overtaken by the home side in the final period and could not complete the comeback in the closing stages.
Coach Amadori’s side reacted immediately to Casalecchio’s opening 3-0 run, with Fusco and Rinaldi leading the response as the Titans pulled ahead. The first quarter saw neither team take full control, with the lead changing hands repeatedly before Cvd closed it out 22-21 at the first break.
In the second period the home side tried to pull away, moving to 28-21 thanks to an overall 10-0 run spanning the two quarters. San Marino’s response came through a three-pointer from Benzi and a basket from San Martini, bringing the Titans back within two points.
Casalecchio, however, managed to rebuild their advantage, reaching 36-26 at the 17-minute mark. Pallacanestro Titano limited the damage before the break thanks to points from Fusco, Ugolini and Rinaldi, heading into the locker room down 38-32.
Cvd initially kept control of the scoreboard at the restart too, moving to 44-35 at the 23-minute mark. In the second half of the third quarter, though, the San Marino side changed gear and gradually clawed back the deficit. Ugolini levelled the score at 51-51 at the 28-minute mark, while Fusco completed the turnaround, allowing Pallacanestro Titano to close the quarter ahead 54-52.
The final quarter opened with the Titans reaching their biggest lead at 56-52, but the match shifted again as shooting percentages began to drop on both sides. With five minutes left, the score was still level at 57-57.
At that point Rosi put Casalecchio back in front with four consecutive points. Pallacanestro Titano stayed in touch mainly thanks to Rinaldi, but late on the home side found another crucial basket from Rosi, making it 68-62 with one minute and 28 seconds remaining.
A three-pointer from Rinaldi brought the San Marino side back within a single possession, before a basket from Cisse settled the outcome for good. Cvd closed out the game 74-70, securing a victory built in the final period.
For Pallacanestro Titano, the top scorer was Rinaldi with 22 points, followed by Fusco with 15, Benzi with 11 and Ugolini with 10. For the home side, Cisse stood out with 23 points and Rosi with 17.
The Titans’ next fixture is scheduled for Saturday at the Multieventi against Sg Fortitudo, with Amadori’s side looking to bounce back after this away defeat.
CVD Casalecchio – Pallacanestro Titano 74-70
CVD Casalecchio: Rosi 17, Faldini 7, Leprini 6, Boggian 5, Cisse 23, Salani 3, Guidotti, Munari, Zagnoni 3, Cerlinca, Dalpane 10, Cappozzo. Coach: Santi.
Pallacanestro Titano: San Martini 5, Macina, Ugolini 10, Fusco 15, Rinaldi 22, Amati 5, Benzi 11, Dragomanni 2, Capelli, Falcioni. Coach: Amadori.
Partial scores: 22-21, 38-32, 52-54.
