Montepaschi Pulls Off a Feat: Martin Carpena Arena Conquered

UNICAJA MALAGA-MONTEPASCHI SIENA 73-75 (18-23; 41-39; 64-63)

UNICAJA MALAGA: Sabonis ne, Vidal, Calloway 3, Suarez 4,Granger 15, Vazquez, Toolson 7, Kuzminskas 2, Dragic 16, Hettsheimer 4, Caner-Medley 18, Stimac 4. Cch. Plaza

MONTEPASCHI SIENA: Viggiano 12, Hunter 4, Cournooh, Rochestie, Carter 10, Ress 6, Ortner 4, Udom ne, Hackett 19, English ne, Green 20. Cch. Crespi

Montepaschi pulls off a true feat at they conquer Martin Carpena Arena 73-75 thanks to a great team performance and a winning basket from Viggiano at the final buzzer.  

It’s a balanced game right from the start, and Siena leads 4-6 after 2’(Carter and Ress triple). Malaga systematically responds to Siena’s baskets, but the green-and-whites are up by 4 at mid quarter (11-15). Montepaschi takes an 8 point lead with a coast to coast from Green, who lands a shot to bring the score to 13-21 at  1’.  Granger narrows the gap, but Viggiano responds with a layup. Toolson’s triple at the buzzer ends first quarter18-23.

Montepaschi starts off the second quarter with a 4-1 break. Hettsheimer ties it up with a triple (22-27 at 6’38”). Malaga narrows it from the line, but Carter triples from the corner. Hackett strikes from the heart of the paint but Spain makes a break that puts them in the lead (35-32 at 2’25”). The player from Pesaro goes 1/2 from the line. Carter’s tap in brings two point, then Daniel triples again for a Siena lead (37-38 at 1’37”). Siena adds another point then Dragic penetrates to tie it up then take the lead for Malaga. Second quarter ends 41-39.

The game continues to be balanced until 2’ in when Unicaja gets up by 5 (49-44). Siena defends strong, steals the ball on defense and makes a 5-0 break at mid quarter to tie the game (53-53). Caner-Medley makes an impossible basket and Malaga is back in the lead. Siena won’t give in and keeps breathing down Spain’s neck. Calloway puts his team up by 4. Green earns three free throws but lands only two, then Hacket makes one out of 2 to tie up at  61-61 with 1’ until the third buzzer. Malaga leads by 3 then Green steals and makes a fastbreak to trail by only 1 at the end of the third quarter (64-63).

Unicaja keeps control and leads by 5 at 2’(68-63). Montepaschi fights with heart and gets a center triple form their Captain. Malage gets points from Toolson to get up by 6 (72-66). Hunter narrows the gap. Hackett goes to the line after being fouled by Toolson and makes 2/2. Viggiano scores for a 1 point lead with 2’ left (72-73). Caner-Medley draws the foul by lands only one free throw. With 1’07” left to play, the score it tied. Viggiano’s basket at the buzzer hands the win over to Montepaschi. The final score at Martin Carpena is 73-75.