Pallacanestro Varese — Trieste Pallacanestro: 85:84, Lega A

Varese beat Trieste 85 to 84 in the Lega A on 10 October. The hosts held on for a single-point victory after a match that stayed close throughout. Both sides had chances to pull away but neither could find a clear run of points.

Varese sit ninth after 28 games with 12 wins and 16 losses. Trieste are one place above them in seventh, 13 wins and 15 defeats. The gap between them remained a point, which is all the standings show at this stage.

The hosts were heavy on the perimeter, hitting 11 three-pointers against 6 from the visitors. Trieste shot better from the field overall, 27 of 70 to 28 of 65, but Varese made up ground at the line with 18 successful free throws to 24. The difference came in turnovers — 17 for Varese against 11 for Trieste — and the extra possessions that created.

We had called for a home win at 53 per cent confidence, and that is what happened. It is not a convincing margin, but Varese found a way to keep it in it when it mattered.