At the Stozice Arena in Ljubljana, in round 13 of the EuroCup, Venezia fell against Cedevita. A balanced challenge that is decided in the sprint. Once again De Raffaele’s team manages the last few minutes badly and thus finds their sixth knockout in the European tournament. For the Slovenians Ferrell is unstoppable finishing with 20 points and 7 assists, followed by 16 from Adams; the 19 rebounds grabbed by Omic were impressive.

Reyer held on to Granger’s 19 points in vain, while Freeman does not enter the field and in these days he will withdraw from Venice. Usual starting quintet for Venice with Spissu, Granger, Parks, Willis and Watt to whom Cedevita responds by fielding Ferrell and Adams in the role of guards, Radovic and Alibegovic in that of, while the only real big man is Omic.

The match

Initial balance 6-6 in the 3′ minute; Umana finds the points with Spissu, Watt and Granger to extend to 6-13 in the 4th minute. The Slovenians react with a 9-0 run signed by Omic, who makes a big voice under the scoreboards, and Ferrell: 15-13 in the 6th minute. With the clock stopped, Parks interrupts the run, but Jeremic scores two consecutive triples, 21-18 in the 8th minute. The hosts find continuous solutions from the arc: Ferrell hits the +6 bomb forcing De Raffaele into timeout. It is still Omic who dominates in the painting, maximum advantage over Ljubljana 26-18.

The last basket goes to Granger for the 26-20 which closes the first quarter. The orogranata suffer from the physicality of the Slovenian big men: Matkovic’s sinking is worth +8. Venice reacts with Moraschini and De Nicolao, 30-26 in the 13th minute.

In the middle of the fraction 32-34 thanks to a placement by Brooks and a triple by an excellent De Nicolao. Umana tries to extend with a 2+1 game from Moraschini and a triple from Granger, 32-40 in the 17th minute. Maximum advantage Reyer with Willis’ basket, 34-43 in the 18th minute.

Cedevita goes to Muric and closes the gap to -5. At the second siren it ends with a triple from Ferrell at 40-44. Back on the pitch, Umana made an excellent start: Parks and then Watt scored the 40-48 baskets in the 23rd minute, but on the opposite side Omic scored four points in a row.

In the 24th minute an unsportsmanlike foul against the Slovenians is sanctioned, but Reyer doesn’t capitalize and in the middle of the third period the score is set at 47-50 with yet another three by Jeremic. Adams takes care of scoring the triple to make it 52-53 in the 27th minute, immediately after the one put in by Tessitori. Adams himself replies with another bomb, overtaking Ljubljana on 55-53 in the 28th minute. Adams is unstoppable: played by 2+1 for the American fullback and +5 Cedevita.

The third quarter ends on 61-59. Venice doesn’t give up: De Nicolao triples the lead, 63-64 in the 32nd minute. The Slovenians exploit the offensive talent of Ferrell and Adams, 67-64 in the 34th minute. Again the usual Granger brings him back in perfect equality, 67-67 in the 35th minute. On the opposite side, Omic makes his way after an offensive rebound and puts in the +2 basket. Parks’ triple is worth +1 and then his defensive play gives Umana possession but Spissu misses the shot, 69-70 in the 38th minute. Muric attacks Granger in penetration and signs the +1; Ferrell makes the points 73-70 with 1’17” to go. Watt misses the semi-hook, while Muric is fouled and scores the first from the line, misses the second free throw but the rebound belongs to the Slovenians. Ferrell puts in a free solo, while Moraschini in speed puts the bomb of 75-73 at 21″ from the siren. Venice clings to the systematic foul: the match is closed by Adams glacial to the free throws. 77-73 the final.