A super Passalacqua Ragusa corsair in Rovigo

Passalacqua finds its game again, shakes off the fear of winning, and confidently defeats Rovigo, securing two valuable points.

Coach Laura Perseu starts with Moriconi, Di Fine, Johnson, Narviciute, and Consolini; the home team responds with Stavrov, Leghissa, Mutterle, Zanetti, and Viviani.

The first strike comes from Moriconi, who opens the evening with a three-pointer. On the counterattack, Leghissa, one of the most anticipated players, responds with four consecutive points (a field goal and two free throws) that give the momentary +1: this will be the only lead for the visitors.

After some turnovers on both sides, Ragusa regains order and begins to build with clarity. Two identical runs of 6-0, the first also featuring an immediate impact from Mazza, the second with a three-point play from captain Consolini and another three-pointer from Moriconi, put the first mortgage on the result. From -1 to +11 in five minutes: the white-greens give nothing away defensively, read the mismatches well, and capitalize. The first quarter ends with a +12.

In the second quarter, Johnson and Moriconi take center stage, combining for 15 of the 17 team points of the period. Leghissa and Zanetti are not enough to contain the shockwave: at halftime, Passalacqua, in full control, is up by +14.

As the game resumes, the Ragusa “duet” continues to set the pace, well supported by the work of their teammates. Consolini deserves a mention: not a dazzling shooting night, but rich in assists and silent leadership. After two minutes, the margin reaches +20 and Ragusa keeps grinding the court, forcing Rovigo to chase. Cedolini offers interesting insights, while Narviciute remains a certainty in the defensive setup. The “smalls” of Rovigo, Viviani and Castelli, have little impact from beyond the arc, and under the basket, the coverage is short in containing a dominant Johnson.

The Ibleans enter the final quarter with a +17. In the closing moments, Labanca shows her scoring and determination again, still searching for the best game rhythm. The Eagles move the ball well, even reaching a maximum lead of +26, without any drop in intensity: solid defense, fluid offense. All encouraging signs.

“Great defense, for all forty minutes, we were good in attack and built the game with patience; we found the right solutions by reading the situations and advantages well. We never fell apart. This was an important match, this victory brings not only morale but also restores confidence to the girls not only in their individual abilities but in our team strength,” comments at the end of the game Laura Perseu, who led the team solo due to coach Buzzanca's commitment in Battipaglia, in the second gathering of the Next Gen Under 19.

In the collective picture, Johnson's 24 points (8/10 from two, 2/2 from three, 2/2 from the free-throw line and 11 rebounds) and the shooting night of Ilaria Moriconi (2/5 from two, 6/7 from beyond the arc, 1/2 from the free-throw line) stand out.

SOLMEC RHODIGIUM – PASSALACQUA RAGUSA 55-79
The score
16-28; 31-45 (15-17); 47-64 (16-19); 55-79 (8-15)

Rovigo: Viviani 8, Castelli 3, Stavrov 13, Oliva ne, Cremona 2, Zanetti 14, Nako Moni, Leghissa 10, Mutterle, Novati 5. Coach: Pegoraro

Passalacqua: Mallo, Consolini 6, Cedolini 5, Mazza 9, Stroscio ne, Moriconi 23, Narviciute 6, Olodo 2, Di Fine, Labanca 4, Johnson 24. Coach: Perseu

Notes. Two-point shots: Rovigo 12/38 (31%) Ragusa 21/41 (51%); Three-point shots: Rovigo 3/16 (18%), Ragusa 9/19 (47%); Free throws: Rovigo 22/29 (75%) Ragusa 10/17 (58%); Rebounds: Rovigo 35, Ragusa 42; Turnovers: Rovigo 19, Ragusa 18; Steals: Rovigo 10, Ragusa 5; Assists: Rovigo 4, Ragusa 13.
Fouled out: Di Fine (RG), Mazza (RG)
Referees: Michele Melai from Calcinaia (PI) and Edoardo Di Salvo from San Giuliano Terme (PI)