ITA - Benetton hammer Armani Jeans to clinch last playoff spot

TREVISO (Lega Basket Serie A) - Benetton Treviso convincingly beat Armani Jeans Milano 91-59 on the last day of the regular season to take the eighth and final playoff spot.

The win earned Jasmin Repesa's side the right to face reigning champions Montepaschi Siena in the first round of the postseason. The best-of-five games first round series begin on Thursday.

Playing against his former team, Maurice Taylor had 17 points to lead the onslaught. Five other players scored in double digits.

The home side led 25-21 at the end of the opening period and outscored the visitors 22-13 in the second quarter for a 47-34 advantage and they kept adding to it the rest of the way.

The defeat saw Milano finish third in the standings and their first round opponents will be Sigma Coatings, who finished the regular season on a winning note, beating Bancas Tercas Teramo 87-81.

Meanwhile, Siena finished the season with a 26-2 record following an 87-66 away win over Canadian Solar Bologna.

In a preview of a playoff first round match-up, Pepsi Caserta saw off Lottomatica Roma 85-69 to clinch second place in the standings with an 18-10 mark. The two teams square up again on Friday for their postseason opener.

At the other end of the table, staying in the top flight was at stake as Angelico Biella and Carife Ferrara squared off at the BiellaForum. The home team survived a strong second half rally by the visitors to win 82-79 and avoid the drop to Lega2.

Carife were outscored 30-18 in the second quarter and trailed 55-35 at the break, but they fought hard and bravely after the intermission to get within 80-79. Biella though sealed the deal from the free-throw line with Pietro Aradori making both foul shots.

In the fourth and final playoff match-up, NGC Medical Cantu take on Canadian Solar Bologna.

FIBA