Openjobmetis Varese capped off the “Trofeo Basilicata – Sport Invaders” in the best possible way, defeating BC Roma 96-92 in the final played at the PalaSassi in Matera. The red-and-whites, who took the court without Amedeo Della Valle and Hunter Hale, managed to bounce back from a tough game, playing catch-up for long stretches before finding the energy needed in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback and secure the win. Duke Jr. was the top scorer of the night with 23 points, followed by Alviti with 22. For Varese, this marks their fourth consecutive preseason victory and another important test in the development of Coach Kastritis’s team, helping them continue to build fitness, chemistry, and team coordination ahead of the official start of the season. Openjobmetis will take the court again on Saturday, September 19, at 6:30 p.m. for their final preseason friendly (click HERE for tickets).
Rome got off to a better start, with Mannion and Ayayi quickly putting the team up 0-6. Nikolic tries to get Varese on the board, but Rome keeps pushing and, with three-pointers from Simonović and Stevenson, pulls ahead 7-22. Ikangi and McDowell-White try to spark the Red-and-Whites, but Rome maintains control until the score reaches 19-31. In the closing minutes, however, Alviti stepped up, scoring five straight points to cut the deficit to 25-31 at the first buzzer. Alviti opened the quarter with a three-pointer to make it a 3-point game, but Strautiņš and Mezzanotte responded immediately, putting Rome back in the lead. Kamagate tried to energize Openjobmetis, while Duke Jr. found his rhythm and, with five straight points, brought Varese back to 41-47. The Romans responded with Ayayi and Mezzanotte, regaining a double-digit lead and heading into halftime up 58-45.
Simonović opened the second half by giving Roma a 16-point lead, but Varese fought back with Duke Jr., Renfro, and Villa, cutting the deficit to single digits. Strautiņš and Stevenson try again to extend the lead, but Openjobmetis stays in the game thanks to Ladurner’s energy and Nikolic’s three-pointer. Duke Jr.’s free throw closes out the third quarter at 64-72. Varese stepped up the pace, and with Duke Jr. and Kangur, they immediately cut the deficit to 4 points, before Roma pulled ahead again to 80-86. However, Nikolic and Alviti definitively reopened the game, and Duke Jr.’s three-pointer gave Varese the lead at 88-86. The final minutes featured a back-and-forth battle: Mannion and Roby traded three-pointers, then Nikolic slammed home a dunk to make it 93-91. Alviti and Duke Jr. sealed the deal from the free-throw line, securing a 96-92 victory for Openjobmetis.
Pallacanestro Openjobmetis Varese-BC Roma: 96-92 (25-31; 45-58; 64-72)
Pallacanestro Varese: Alviti 22, Duke Jr. 23, Villa 2, McDowell-White 4, Nikolic 12, Hale ne, Librizzi 6, Renfro 4, Kamagate 7, Kangur 2, Roby 5, Ladurner 4, Ikangi 5, Risi. Coach: Giannis Kastritis.
BC Roma: Mannion 13, Davis 4, Emejuru 3, Tavernelli dnp, Stevenson 14, Ayayi 18, Strautiņš 12, Odzebe 2, Simonović 14, Mezzanotte 10, Fall 2, Iuzzolino. Coach: Alessandro Magro.
Photo by Ciamillo&Castoria – Unauthorized reproduction prohibited