Victoria Libertas Pesaro edged a thriller in Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro Serie A2, holding off Juvi Cremona 87-84 in a game that came down to the final possessions. The hosts led for much of the evening, but a determined Cremona fightback set up a tense finish that Pesaro ultimately navigated with composure.

Match overview

Pesaro set the tone early, playing with pace and finding rhythm from beyond the arc. Their ball movement created open looks and they built a working lead through the middle quarters. Cremona, to their credit, refused to fade — chipping away with efficient half-court offence and timely three-point shooting that kept the deficit manageable.

How the game turned

The fourth quarter became a possession-by-possession battle. Cremona's run levelled the score and briefly threatened to steal the game, forcing Pesaro into a timeout and a reset. Out of that break, the hosts found their best basketball of the night: a couple of well-executed set plays, a crucial defensive stop, and enough free throws down the stretch to hold the line.

• Clutch execution: Pesaro scored on their final meaningful possessions, denying Cremona a chance to tie.
• Three-point battle: Both teams shot well from deep, but Pesaro's came at more timely moments.
• Rebounding: The hosts' control of the defensive glass in the last two minutes was pivotal.

Standout performers

Pesaro's perimeter leaders carried the scoring load and made big shots when the game was on the line, while their interior players battled hard against a physical Cremona frontcourt. Cremona's guards were excellent in the comeback, combining penetration with accurate outside shooting, and their refusal to fold will give the coaching staff plenty of encouragement despite the loss.

What it means

A three-point win is worth exactly as much as a blowout in the standings, and for Pesaro this victory protects home court and builds momentum in a crowded Serie A2 race. Cremona leave with nothing in the win column but plenty of evidence that they can compete with the league's stronger sides — a narrow road loss of this quality often precedes a strong run of form.

Key numbers

• Final score: Victoria Libertas Pesaro 87, Juvi Cremona 84
• Margin: 3 points in favour of the hosts
• Deciding factor: Late-game execution and free-throw shooting
• Competition: Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro Serie A2

The result keeps Pesaro moving in the right direction while Cremona will take confidence from a performance that was inches from a road upset.