Rimini secured a crucial victory in the Serie A2 Vintage Wild West basketball league on Monday, defeating Valtur Brindisi 84-70 in a hard-fought contest at the Flaminio stadium. The win was pivotal for Dole Rimini, allowing them to overturn the goal difference with their opponents. The home team dominated the second half, showcasing a strong offensive performance and rebounding prowess.
The victory sees Dole Rimini continuing their push in the league standings, while Brindisi will necessitate to regroup after this setback. Rimini’s ability to score 84 points while maintaining a 46% shooting percentage from three-point range, coupled with winning the rebounding battle 46-33, proved to be the difference. Five players scored in double figures for the winning side, highlighting a balanced offensive attack.
Rimini’s Balanced Attack Leads to Victory
Pierpaolo Marini led Dole Rimini with 21 points, adding 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Mark Ogden came close to a double-double with 15 points and 9 rebounds, contributing key baskets down the stretch. Denegri added 13 points, Camara contributed 11, and Tomassini finished with 10 points for a well-rounded Rimini offense. For Brindisi, Copeland led the scoring with 22 points, while Vildera recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Esposito added 10.
The game began slowly, with the first basket arriving after over two minutes of play. Brindisi initially took the lead, going up 0-6 in the fourth minute, before Dole Rimini responded with a three-pointer from Denegri. The first quarter ended with Brindisi ahead 13-16, setting the stage for a competitive matchup.
Second Quarter Surge Propels Rimini
Dole Rimini came out strong in the second quarter, hitting three consecutive three-pointers. Brindisi responded with points from the free-throw line and uncomplicated baskets, tying the score at 22-22 in the 13th minute, prompting a timeout from Valtur. Rimini continued to identify success from long range, taking the lead at 27-24. A strong performance from Camara, including a +5 play in the 16th minute, forced another timeout from the visiting team. Rimini closed the half strong, with Denegri scoring five consecutive points and Camara beating the buzzer, though Brindisi still held a narrow lead going into halftime, 44-36.
Rimini Dominates the Second Half
The third quarter saw Dole Rimini open with a 5-0 run, spearheaded by Alipiev and Marini. Brindisi answered, but Rimini maintained a steady advantage. Vildera’s jumper brought the score to 53-49 in the 26th minute, leading to a Dole timeout. In the following minutes, Rimini limited Brindisi to just three points from the foul line, extending their lead to 61-52 with contributions from Marini and Tomassini. Rimini entered the final quarter with a nine-point advantage.
The fourth quarter saw Rimini extend their lead with three-pointers from Tomassini and Denegri, pushing the score to 67-56 and forcing a Brindisi timeout. Copeland attempted to rally Brindisi, scoring several points, but a 7-0 run by Rimini, capped off by a three-pointer from Marini, sealed the victory. Ogden added eight points in the closing minutes, solidifying the 84-70 win for Dole Rimini.
The final score reflects a dominant performance by Dole Rimini, who controlled the game from the second half onwards. The team’s balanced scoring and strong rebounding proved too much for Brindisi to overcome.
Dole Rimini will look to build on this momentum as they continue their campaign in the Serie A2 Old Wild West league. The team’s performance demonstrates their potential to be a strong contender as the season progresses.
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