Andrea Costa Imola edged Legnano Knights 55-50 in a tense, defense-first Serie B Basket matchup on October 19, 2026. On a night when clean looks were hard to come by, Imola’s patience in the half court and discipline at the defensive end made the difference down the stretch. The hosts never ran away with the game, but they controlled the final minutes and closed out a valuable early-season win in the Serie B Basket standings.

A low-scoring battle from the opening tip

Both teams set a cautious tone early, with Imola preferring to work deep into the shot clock and Legnano trying to generate tempo through its guards. The first quarter ended 14-12 in Imola’s favor, and the defensive intensity only increased from there. Neither side shot the ball comfortably from beyond the arc, and most possessions turned into contested jumpers or late-clock drives.

• First quarter: Andrea Costa Imola 14-12 Legnano Knights
• Second quarter: Andrea Costa Imola 12-11 Legnano Knights
• Third quarter: Andrea Costa Imola 15-14 Legnano Knights
• Fourth quarter: Andrea Costa Imola 14-13 Legnano Knights
• Final score: Andrea Costa Imola 55-50 Legnano Knights

Key moments

The game was tied at 44-44 midway through the fourth quarter when Imola produced the decisive run. A pair of free throws from guard Luca Ferri was followed by a corner three from Matteo Rinaldi and a fast-break layup after a Legnano turnover. That 7-0 burst gave the hosts a cushion they would not surrender. Legnano went more than four minutes without a field goal during that stretch and was forced to foul late, allowing Imola to seal the result at the line.

Tactical story

Imola’s compact zone defense was the story of the game. The hosts kept Legnano’s ball handlers in front of them, limited penetration, and forced a series of difficult perimeter attempts. Legnano finished the night cold from three-point range and struggled to find second-chance points against Imola’s focused rebounding effort. Offensively, Imola was not explosive, but it valued possessions and attacked the paint when Legnano overextended on the perimeter.

Standout performers

Luca Ferri led Imola with 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists, repeatedly making the right decision in late-clock situations. Matteo Rinaldi added 12 points and 11 rebounds, controlling the glass on both ends. For Legnano, Andrea Colombo scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Stefano Villa chipped in 10 points. Legnano’s guards combined for only 18 points, a reflection of Imola’s disciplined perimeter defense.

What the result means

The win gives Andrea Costa Imola an important early confidence boost and reinforces the identity the team wants to build around: defense, rebounding, and controlled tempo. For Legnano Knights, the loss is a frustrating one because the game remained within reach until the final minutes. The Serie B Basket result shows how narrow the margins can be in this league, where a single 7-0 run can decide a 55-50 contest.