The race for second place in the Italian League remained tight over the weekend with the two protagonists registering wins. Bennet Cantu took care of Fabi Shoes Montegranaro 67-56 on Saturday to improve to 18-6 and remain one win ahead of Armani Jeans Milano, which has a game at hand. On Sunday, Milano went on the road to drop Air Avellino 76-84. The visitors dominated the second half 35-51 to score the win. Ibby Jaaber scored 26 and Stefano Mancinelli added 16 for Armani Jeans. Omar Thomas paced Avellino with 31 points and 12 rebounds. Benetton Bwin joined a four-way tie for fourth place following a 77-79 win at Angelico Biella. Massimo Bulleri made 5 free throws in the last two minutes to help hold off Biella’s late surge. Alessandro Gentile led Benetton with 16 points, Devin Smith scored 15 and Bulleri finished with 14. Benetton, Canadian Solar Bologna, Avellino and Cimberio Varese all have 12-12 records. In other games, Lottomatica Roma downed Banca Tercas Teramo 76-60, Cimberio Varese topped Pepsi Caserta 92-77, Scavolini Siviglia Pesaro routed Vanoli-Braga Cremona 82-59 and Dinamo Sassari upset Bologna on the road 81-87 as Travis Diener scored 23 points and dished 7 assists.
