Pallacanestro Trieste delivered one of their most complete performances of the early Lega Basket Serie A season on Sunday, defeating Pallacanestro Cantù 92-72 at the PalaTrieste. The hosts combined efficient outside shooting with a dominant inside presence, turning a competitive first half into a comfortable victory with a decisive third-quarter run.

A commanding home performance

Trieste set the tone from the opening minutes, pushing the pace and attacking the Cantù defense before it could settle. The home side moved the ball crisply around the perimeter and repeatedly found open looks in transition, building a lead that never truly felt threatened after halftime. Cantù stayed within striking distance early, but Trieste’s defensive intensity and rebounding advantage gradually wore the visitors down.

The final margin reflected Trieste’s control over the game’s rhythm. They scored at least 22 points in every quarter, maintained a healthy assist-to-turnover ratio, and limited Cantù to just 35 points after the break. It was a performance built on balance: inside scoring, perimeter shooting, and a bench that added energy without allowing the level to drop.

Match overview

• Final score: Pallacanestro Trieste 92, Pallacanestro Cantù 72
• Competition: Lega Basket Serie A
• Venue: PalaTrieste
• Quarter scores: Trieste 24-18, 23-19, 22-17, 23-18

Trieste’s 47-37 halftime lead was built on aggressive defense and second-chance points. Cantù briefly threatened to make it a game early in the third quarter, but a 12-2 run from the hosts broke the contest open. From there, Trieste managed the clock well and kept Cantù at arm’s length, never allowing the visitors to string together enough stops to mount a serious comeback.

Key moments

The turning point came midway through the third quarter. With Cantù trailing by nine and showing signs of life, Trieste forced three consecutive turnovers and converted them into quick baskets at the other end. The run pushed the advantage past 15 points and forced Cantù into a timeout. Out of the break, Trieste answered a brief Cantù spurt with back-to-back three-pointers, effectively sealing the result before the final period.

Cantù’s best stretch came late in the first half, when they cut the deficit to five behind improved ball movement and a pair of timely offensive rebounds. But Trieste responded immediately with a 7-0 burst before halftime, restoring control and setting up the second-half separation.

Tactical story

Trieste’s game plan centered on forcing Cantù into contested mid-range shots while protecting the paint. The hosts switched effectively on the perimeter, contested driving lanes, and dominated the defensive glass. Offensively, Trieste used high ball screens to create mismatches, with guards repeatedly finding roll men or kick-out shooters. The result was a balanced scoring attack that Cantù struggled to contain.

Cantù, by contrast, relied heavily on individual shot creation and never found a consistent answer against Trieste’s help defense. The visitors shot well enough from the free-throw line but were undone by turnovers and a lack of second-chance opportunities. Trieste’s ability to turn defense into offense proved decisive.

Standout performers

• Luca Moretti (Trieste): 21 points, 7 assists, and steady control of the tempo.
• Andrea Vidoni (Trieste): 18 points and 10 rebounds, consistently winning the physical battle inside.
• Filip Kovačević (Trieste): 14 points, 9 rebounds, and multiple altered shots at the rim.
• Marco Bellini (Cantù): 17 points in a losing effort, often forced to create against set defense.
• Simone Riva (Cantù): 13 points and 6 rebounds, one of the few visitors to match Trieste’s intensity.

Season impact

The win gives Trieste a valuable home result in the Lega Basket Serie A standings and reinforces their reputation as a difficult team to beat at the PalaTrieste. For Cantù, the loss highlights the need for more consistent half-court execution and better ball security against pressure defenses. Trieste will look to carry the momentum into their next fixture, while Cantù must regroup quickly before their next Serie A test.

With the final score 92-72, the story of the night was clear: Trieste’s depth, defensive discipline, and ability to dictate pace proved too much for a Cantù side that competed in bursts but could not sustain its challenge for 40 minutes.