Paffoni Fulgor Basket saw its fourth-quarter comeback bid fall short on home court, dropping a 72-68 decision to Myenergy Reggio Calabria at the Pala Cipir. Daniel Love paced the visitors with 17 points, while Jacopo Balanzoni led Omegna with 16 points in a game that turned decisively during a lopsided third period.

Third-Quarter Surge Propels Visitors After Tight Opening Half

The contest began with Omegna seizing early command, building a 16-8 advantage behind an early three-pointer from Andris Misters that prompted a timeout from coach Carrea. The visitors answered with a 4-0 run to close the opening frame at 17-15. Intensity escalated in the second quarter as Nikola Markovic struck from beyond the arc to give Reggio Calabria its first lead at 19-20. Marco Contento and Obinna Odah kept the hosts within striking distance before Love converted key baskets to push the visitors ahead 34-33 at intermission.

The game swung firmly away from the hosts coming out of the locker rooms. Love and Alessio Donadoni found their shooting rhythm while Omegna struggled to generate offensive fluidity, allowing Reggio Calabria to construct a commanding double-digit margin. Omegna countered by shifting to a zone defense that stalled the visitors’ ball movement, trimming the deficit back to ten points through baskets from Balanzoni, Contento, and Odah.

Late Defensive Pressures Fail to Complete the Comeback

Trailing heavily entering the final ten minutes, Omegna ratcheted up its defensive pressure. The hosts methodically chipped away at the margin, sparking crowd belief as they drew within striking distance in the closing minutes. However, unforced execution errors allowed Reggio Calabria to steady its nerves and seal the 72-68 final scoreline.

Balanzoni finished as Omegna’s high scorer with 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting from two-point range, complemented by 12 points apiece from Misters and Odah. Contento added 11 points in the losing effort. For Reggio Calabria, Love’s 17 points were supported by Gabriele Romeo with 13 points and Celis Taflaj with 11.

PalaCipir Quick Turnaround Against Piazza Armerina

Omegna will have little time to dwell on the missed opportunity, returning to the PalaCipir hardwood on Wednesday to face Piazza Armerina in a rescheduled fixture from the fourth round of the league calendar.