Lettere d'Italia: Day 6
8/22/2004 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Aug. 22, 2004
Day Six Photo Gallery FLORENCE, Italy - Italian Fact of the Day: The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence and one of the city's most recognizable structures. It has spanned the Arno River since 1935 and was the only bridge standing in the city after the rest were destroyed during World War II. A covered bridge lined with old shops and arches, it is in itself a spectacle to view, and also provides a brilliant view of the Arno and part of Italy's Tuscan region. A relaxing morning in the majestic city of Florence proved to pay dividends for the Terrapins, who spent the early part of the day walking around downtown before kicking it into high gear in the evening and dealing a 105-77 loss to Pistoia Basket. The Terrapins have already taken in a great deal of art and culture in two influential cities, all while running their record to 2-0 on the basketball side of their Italian tour. The Terps awoke to a beautiful Sunday morning in Florence. Different members of the travel party rose early and took a stroll along the magnificent Arno River, which runs right through the city and is located two blocks from the Terps' team hotel. After breakfast, the team and tour guide Nicoletta Sacerdoti boarded the bus and made their way to the city's shopping district. Many shops and street vendor stands exist downtown, and the Terps and their fans were able to take advantage of great bargains on leather goods, gold and other products. Oh, and of course, gelati. Ahhhhh gelati... Italy's ice cream has become a tremendous favorite among the team, the basketball staff and the group of friends and boosters traveling with the Terrapins. Current favorite basketball staff gelati flavor: mint chocolate chip. Also receiving votes: chocolate, pistachio, lemon, banana, strawberry, hazelnut, tartufo (chocolate truffle), vanilla and strachitella (an apparently indescribable combo). We will keep everyone informed as the Road to the Final Four continues. The Terps also visited the Ponte Vecchio on Sunday, the oldest bridge in Florence, which provides an excellent view of the Arno and the Tuscan region. The bridge itself is located in the heart of downtown Florence and is lined with shops. While some of the Terps' travel party visited the leaning tower of Pisa in the early afternoon, the Terps relaxed in preparation for their game against Pistoia. The squad plays in a 5,200 capacity gym - the Palestra - in a town roughly 45 minutes from Florence. Led by rising junior Travis Garrison, who scored nine of his 18 points in the first quarter, the Terrapins were off to a hot start. Garrison, who also grabbed 18 rebounds, keyed a total team effort against Pistoia where four Terrapins finished in double-figures and every member of the Terps' Italy roster contributed at least two points. Eight Terps had scored by the end of the first period as Maryland took a 33-20 lead, and Nik Caner-Medley helped the Terps stay in command. The Terps opened the second quarter with an 11-3 run, building a 60-39 advantage by the halftime horn. Caner-Medley netted 11 of his game-high 25 points in the second quarter. Chris McCray, who listed the Terps with eight points in the third stanza, finished the game with 14 points, while John Gilchrist chipped in with 14 points, five assists and two steals. Will Bowers, who has started Maryland's two Italian exhibitions at center, pulled down six rebounds and became the 10th Terrapin to score with a pair of made free throws in the third quarter. The Terrapins would like to thank the Pistoia Basket team, staff and fans for their hospitality. Of interest, Pistoia and Veroli, the Terps' first opponent on the tour, are archrivals. Well, buona notte (good night!) from Florence. On Monday the Terps head to beautiful and historic Venice and take in some of the sights. Be sure to log onto umterps.com and get all the latest news from Italia! A domani! Ciao!
