Carmatic Pistoia Edge Juvi Cremona 75-72 on the Road

Carmatic Pistoia claimed a narrow 75-72 road win over Juvi Cremona in Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro Serie A2 on 26 October 2026. In a game that remained tight from start to finish, Pistoia’s late-game defense and composure at the free-throw line made the difference.

Match overview

The contest was played at a measured pace, with both teams preferring to work through half-court possessions and limit transition opportunities. Cremona found some early success inside, while Pistoia answered with perimeter shooting and disciplined ball movement. Neither side led by more than a few points for much of the night, and the score stayed close through every quarter.

As the game moved into the final period, the pressure increased and every possession became more valuable. Cremona had chances to take control, but Pistoia’s defense forced difficult shots and contested rebounds. The visitors’ ability to stay calm in a hostile environment proved decisive in a three-point finish.

Key moments

The decisive stretch came in the final two minutes. With the game tied, Pistoia executed a patient possession that produced a good look near the basket. After a Cremona miss, Pistoia added a pair of free throws to create a small cushion. Cremona had one last opportunity to tie, but Pistoia’s defense forced a contested attempt and secured the defensive rebound.

Earlier in the fourth quarter, Cremona had briefly taken the lead after a run built on offensive rebounds and second-chance points. Pistoia responded immediately with a three-pointer and a defensive stop, preventing Cremona from building any momentum. Those small responses added up in a game where neither team could afford a scoreless stretch.

Tactical story

Pistoia’s half-court defense was the foundation of the win. They limited Cremona’s clean looks from the perimeter, forced the offense to work deep into the shot clock, and contested the defensive glass in the closing minutes. Offensively, Pistoia used ball screens and off-ball movement to create driving lanes, then made enough perimeter shots to keep Cremona’s defense honest.

Cremona’s best play came when they attacked the paint and crashed the offensive boards. Their interior scoring kept them in the game, and their guards created several good looks off penetration. The issue was execution under pressure: Cremona missed a few key free throws and had a couple of late possessions end without a quality shot.

Standout performers

Pistoia’s guards controlled the tempo and made smart decisions in the final minutes, while the frontcourt provided timely rebounding and interior defense. Cremona’s big men competed hard on the glass and scored efficiently inside, and their guards showed poise for much of the night. In the end, Pistoia’s collective late-game discipline outweighed Cremona’s individual efforts.

Season impact

Road wins are especially valuable in the Serie A2 standings, and this result gives Carmatic Pistoia an early head-to-head advantage over Juvi Cremona. The narrow margin suggests the teams are closely matched, making the defensive execution and free-throw shooting in the final minutes all the more important. Cremona will take encouragement from a competitive performance but will focus on late-game details, while Pistoia can build on a win that required patience and composure.