In a thrilling encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Carmatic Pistoia emerged victorious with a hard-fought 97-90 win against Ruvo Di Puglia in the Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro Serie A2. The match, held on May 6, 2026, showcased the resilience of Pistoia as they overcame a spirited home side to claim a crucial road victory.

Match Overview and Key Moments

The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip, with both teams trading baskets in a high-tempo first half. Ruvo Di Puglia, playing in front of their passionate home crowd, came out aggressively and built an early lead behind efficient shooting and strong interior defense. However, Carmatic Pistoia responded in the second quarter, tightening their defensive rotations and finding rhythm from beyond the arc. The visitors used a balanced scoring attack to chip away at the deficit, eventually taking a narrow lead into halftime.

The third quarter proved decisive. Pistoia's offense clicked into another gear, with pick-and-roll actions creating open looks for their guards. Carmatic's ability to convert in transition, off Ruvo turnovers, stretched their advantage to double digits for the first time. Ruvo Di Puglia refused to back down, mounting a furious comeback in the fourth quarter fueled by aggressive drives to the basket and second-chance points. They cut the lead to just three points with under two minutes remaining, but Pistoia's composure at the free-throw line and a clutch three-pointer sealed the victory.

Standout Performers

• Carmatic Pistoia's backcourt: The visitors received significant contributions from their guards, who combined for over 50 points. Their ability to create shots under pressure and knock down timely jumpers was the difference maker.
• Ruvo Di Puglia's frontcourt: The home team's big men had a productive night, contesting shots and cleaning the glass. Their second-chance opportunities kept Ruvo within striking distance throughout the game.
• Clutch free-throw shooting: Pistoia shot a high percentage from the line in the final minutes, a critical factor in holding off the late surge from the home side.

Tactical Story: Transition Points and Three-Point Shooting

The game was largely decided by two factors: Pistoia's effectiveness in transition and three-point shooting. Carmatic consistently pushed the ball after Ruvo misses, catching the home defense scrambling. This opened up corner three-point attempts, where the visitors found considerable success. Conversely, Ruvo Di Puglia relied more on half-court sets and post-ups, leading to a slower pace that played into Pistoia's hands once they established a lead. The visitors also managed to limit fouls in the final period, preventing Ruvo from generating easy points at the stripe during their comeback push.

Season and Table Implications

For Carmatic Pistoia, this win improves their record and strengthens their position in the Serie A2 standings. Road wins are always valuable in this competitive league, and the victory provides momentum heading into a key stretch of the season. For Ruvo Di Puglia, the loss is a missed opportunity to climb the table. Despite a strong performance at home, they will rue the defensive breakdowns in the third quarter and the inability to contain Pistoia's guards in critical moments. Both teams will look to build on this contest as the season progresses, with playoff implications likely down the line.

The high-scoring nature of the match—90 points for Ruvo, 97 for Pistoia—underscores the offensive talent on display and the intensity of Serie A2 basketball. Fans of both clubs were treated to a memorable night of action that highlighted the depth and competitiveness of the league.