Reyer Venezia 89–83 Derthona Basket: Hosts Hold On in Thrilling Serie A Battle

Venice, Italy – May 27, 2026 – Reyer Venezia edged out Derthona Basket 89–83 in a tightly contested Lega Basket Serie A encounter at the Palasport Taliercio. The home team used a strong second-half surge to overcome a gritty Derthona side, climbing up the standings in the process.

Match Overview

The contest was a back-and-forth affair from the opening whistle, with neither team able to establish a commanding lead for most of the game. Reyer Venezia finally seized control in the third quarter, building a nine-point advantage that proved crucial as Derthona fought back in the fourth. The hosts held their nerve at the free-throw line down the stretch to secure the win.

Key Moments

• First Half Battle: Derthona Basket started aggressively, hitting 5-of-8 from three-point range in the first quarter to lead 24–22. Venezia responded with a 10–2 run early in the second, but Derthona tied the game at 44–44 by halftime.
• Third Quarter Breakthrough: Reyer Venezia came out firing after the break, using a 15–4 run to open a 59–50 lead. The defense tightened, forcing Derthona into four turnovers in the period.
• Derthona's Fourth Quarter Rally: Trailing 73–62 entering the final quarter, Derthona Basket mounted a comeback. Guard Chris Dowe scored 10 points in the period, cutting the deficit to 83–81 with under two minutes to play.
• Clutch Free Throws: Venezia's Mitchell Watt and Stefano Tonut combined to make 6-of-6 free throws in the final 90 seconds, sealing the victory for the home side.

Tactical Story

Reyer Venezia emphasized inside-out offense, feeding the ball to their big men while spreading the floor for open perimeter shots. They outrebounded Derthona 38–30 and scored 18 second-chance points. The hosts also took care of the ball, committing only 9 turnovers compared to Derthona's 14.

Derthona Basket relied heavily on their three-point shooting, connecting on 12-of-31 attempts (39%). However, they struggled to contain Venezia's pick-and-roll game, especially in the second half. The visitors' lack of depth in the frontcourt was exposed as center Tyler Cain picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter.

Standout Players

• Reyer Venezia: Forward Mitchell Watt posted a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, dominating in the paint. Guard Stefano Tonut added 18 points and 7 assists, including key free throws late.
• Derthona Basket: Chris Dowe led all scorers with 26 points, hitting 4-of-8 from deep, but his efforts were not enough. Forward J.P. Macura contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds.

Season Impact

Reuer Venezia improved to 15–10 with the win, moving into sole possession of fifth place in the Lega Basket Serie A standings. The victory kept them in contention for a top-four finish and a first-round playoff bye. Derthona Basket, now 13–12, slipped to eighth place but remain in the playoff picture. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the visitors.

The game also showcased the depth of the Italian league, with both teams displaying high-level execution and intensity. Reyer Venezia will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for a midweek clash against Olimpia Milano, while Derthona will aim to bounce back at home against Treviso.