Alba Berlin is in a bit of a crisis at the start of the new year. They suffered a clear defeat at their old rivals from Bamberg
Alba Berlin is still waiting for its first win in the new year. After the two Euroleague defeats in Kaunas and against Bologna, the Berlin club suffered a surprisingly clear 77:97 (41:33) defeat at Bamberg Baskets on Sunday. Alba put in a disappointing performance, especially after the break.
However, Alba’s Matt Thomas did not want to accept the heavy workload due to the many games in the Euroleague and the German league as an excuse. “That should have nothing to do with it. We have to play better for 40 minutes,” said the Berlin native on “Dyn” after the game.
The visitors from the capital only sank a weak 33.3 percent from two-point land over the entire game, although Sterling Brown (21 points, 5/8 FG) and the three-pointers (13/28) fared better (40.4 percent field goal percentage overall). However, that was not enough against Bamberg’s good team performance, especially after the break. Bamberg scored just under 50 percent from the floor, conceded 36 points to Alba in the fourth quarter alone and pulled away decisively in that spell.
Bayern stays close to the top duo
On the other hand, FC Bayern Basketball did not show any weakness. The top favorites won 91:85 (51:39) at the Rostock Seawolves. The visitors, who had also recently lost twice in the Euroleague, made everything clear before the break: Bayern won the first quarter by 27:16. Devin Booker was the most eye-catching player with 14 points and seven rebounds.
The Bavarians thus remain in touch with the top duo of Chemnitz and Ulm, who had already won their games on Saturday. Chemnitz won against Ludwigsburg, while Ulm prevailed in Göttingen.
Telekom Baskets Bonn remain within striking distance of the play-off places. The Champions League winners are in eighth place with a record of 10:6 wins after their 108:83 (49:53) victory at EWE Baskets Oldenburg. Noah Kirkwood, Savion Flagg (both 21 points) and Glynn Watson Jr. (20) led Bonn to victory on the road.
Brose Bamberg – Alba Berlin 97:77 (15:23,18:18,28:19,36:17)
Points Brose Bamberg: Copeland 24, Nelson 18, Gray 14, Johnson 9, Onu 8, Stanic 6, Tadda 6, Herzog 4, Woodbury 4, Wohlrath 3, Heckmann 1
Points Alba Berlin: Brown 21, Thomas 14, Procida 12, Wetzell 9, Koumadje 6, Schneider 5, Spagnolo 4, Delow 3, Thiemann 3
Spectators: 5700
Rostock Seawolves – FC Bayern Munich 85:91 (16:27,23:24,18:16,28:24)
Points Rostock Seawolves: Nelson 17, Lockett 13, Goodwin 11, Amaize 10, W. Clark 10, Bradley 8, Gloger 6, Theis 6, Carter 2, Kolo 2
Points FC Bayern Munich: Booker 14, Edwards 14, Francisco 13, Bonga 8, Brankovic 8, Obst 8, Bolmaro 7, Weiler-Babb 6, Wimberg 6, Giffey 5, Harris 2
Spectators: 4832
EWE Baskets Oldenburg – Telekom Baskets Bonn 83:108 (28:21,25:28,14:30,16:29)
Points EWE Baskets Oldenburg: Crandall 22, Brown Jr. 17, Wank 12, Schoormann 10, D. Russell 7, Izundu 6, Ogbe 5, Agbakoko 4
Points Telekom Baskets Bonn: Flagg 21, Kirkwood 21, Watson Jr. 20, Kennedy 14, Fobbs 13, Pape 10, Griesel 9
Spectators: 6200
