Dinamo's victory against Pistoia was as hard-fought as it was exhilarating: 77-75 at PalaSerradimigni against Pistoia, who also had a 12-point lead in the first half. Bendzius and Bibbins were the stars, promoting the 14-1 run in the third quarter that overturned the inertia of the game: 28 points for the Lithuanian and 13 for the American point guard with the offensive rebound being crucial to earning the winning free throws.
Pistoia starts better, with Christon and Childs taking the lead: 6-11. The Italian changes seem to give energy to Dinamo, who gets close to -1 with a bomb by Tambone, but at the end of the quarter the guests come back: 15-21.
Sassari defends but in attack it has few ideas and hands that are certainly not hot, instead Pistoia moves the ball better and scores: triple by Silins from the right corner and offensive rebound by Rowan for the maximum gap: -12. Dinamo puts heart into it, but in attack it relies too much on individual initiatives and so it never manages to reopen the game: 29-37 at halftime. Illuminating detail: no points from the two pivots, Halilovic and Renfro.
After the break, Bendzius tries to push with 5 points in a row (34-39). Pistoia reacts, Fobbs makes a triple for -4 at 27'. The play Bibbins makes great use of Rowan's unsportsmanlike foul and with 5 points in the same action sews up almost everything: 53-54 at 29'. The 14-1 break is completed by Bendzius with 8 points in a row for the unexpected +6.
In the last quarter it's point for point, but Bendzius and Bibbins are still decisive from the free throw line. Then great defense on Silins' shot for the possible winner, which comes up short.
