On the 5th day of play, the previous BBL leader Ulm suffered its first defeat of the season against neighboring Ludwigsburg – with a difference of almost 30 points. Rasta Vechta keeps up with the top of the table.
The MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg inflicted their first defeat of the season on champions ratiopharm Ulm in a surprisingly clear manner. Coach Josh King’s team won 99-70 (39-35) at the defending champions on Saturday after a convincing final run. Ulm remains in the top group with a record of 4-1 wins. Ludwigsburg (2-2) is in the middle of the table.
The defending champions are now tied in the standings with Niners Chemnitz, EWE Baskets Oldenburg and promoted Rasta Vechta, all of whom also have a 4-1 record. Chemnitz continued its winning streak against last-place Syntainics MBC from Weißenfels, the Saxons won 74-65 (31-33), it was the fourth success in a row. Vechta got a 97:90 (79:79, 38:37) after overtime against the Basketball Löwen Braunschweig.
In the further course of the 5th matchday, the top teams Bayern Munich and Alba Berlin (both 3:1) can also draw level with the top group.
Ulm completely collapses in the fourth quarter
The champions from Ulm started the match better and led 20:14 after ten minutes, but the guests got better and better into the game and were already ahead by four points at the break. The Giants remained superior after the change of ends and extended their lead to 65:56 by the end of the third quarter. A brilliant last quarter (34:14) by Ludwigsburg still ensured an Ulm home debacle in the end.
In the final period, the champions completely collapsed, allowing their opponents a 15:0 run, among other things. L.J. Figueroa was Ulm’s best scorer with 16 points, Silas Melson scored 20 for Ludwigsburg.
For Ulm, it was not the first painful defeat against Ludwigsburg in the recent past. The Giants won six of the past seven duels, in the 2020 BBL semifinals and also in the 2022 quarterfinals Ulm failed against its neighbor.
ratiopharm Ulm – MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 70:99 (35:39)
Best scorers for Ulm: Figueroa (16 points), de Paula (14), Nunez (11)
Best scorers for Ludwigsburg: Melson (20), Buie (17), Graves (13), Lewis (10), Childs (10)
Spectators: 6000
Rasta Vechta – Basketball Löwen Braunschweig 97:90 n.V.(79:79, 38:37)
Best scorers for Vechta: Iwundu (24 points), Kuhse (17), Schwieger (17), Ferner (14), Grünloh (14)
Best scorers for Braunschweig: Bango (23), Rorie (21), Zylka (10)
Spectators: 3000
MLP Academics Heidelberg – Hamburg Towers 73:88 (33:48)
Best scorers for Heidelberg: Mcguirl 17, Hundt 14, Coleman 10, Lasisi 8, Kesteloot 7, Zipser 7, Carroll 5, Whaley 4, Keßen 1
Best scorers for Hamburg: Durham 21, Hinrichs 17, Christmas 15, King 14, Dziewa 12, Hughes 6, Krause 3
Spectators: 3718
