FC Bayern Basketball also won its second home game against Veolia Towers Hamburg. However, it needed a game-winner from Devin Booker to do so. The MLP Academics defeated Vechta at home and Bamberg got its first win of the season against the Skyliners.
After their defeat in Ludwigsburg, Bayern are back on track, but their game against Hamburg was not a treat either. After a good start, Munich lost their way completely in the debut of world champion Johannes Voigtmann and were suddenly behind in the middle of the second quarter, only just leading at half-time (42:41).
Even after half-time, the club from Bavaria was unable to create a cushion, with Hamburg staying in contention thanks to Brae Ivey, while the home side was now barely scoring at all. The visitors led by four points midway through the final period, before Nick Weiler-Babb initiated the final offensive with a slam-dunk. Hamburg fought back with a few buckets from downtown, but NBW and Vladimir Lucic (15, 7 rebounds) always had an answer at the ready. But it was Weiler-Babb who gifted Hamburg the lead with a costly turnover in the final minute. Keondry Kennedy (15) shot Hamburg back in front from downtown, but Booker had the last word, being found under the basket by Weiler-Babb with one second left on the clock and successfully scoring.
The big man was also the top scorer with 19 points, while Nick Weiler-Babb flirted with a triple-double (12 points, 7 rebounds, 12 assists). Andreas Obst (10) scored double digits, while Oscar da Silva (8) snapped up 11 rebounds. Brae Ivey (19) was once again the Towers’ top scorer, along with center Kur Kuath (12).
Heidelberg defeats RASTA Vechta
After the heavy defeat on the first matchday, MLP Academics Heidelberg made an impressive comeback to defeat RASTA Vechta (80:74) in their home debut of the new season. At first, it looked as if the visitors from the north would build on their strong start to the season. Three successive three-pointers gave RASTA an early lead, but after several unnecessary turnovers – 19 in total over the course of the game – Heidelberg got into its stride and took control. Led by Ryan Mikesell, who ended up with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds.
The game turned into a real thriller in the second half. While Vechta relied on the strengths of Trevor Campbell (13.5 assists) and Josh Gardner (13.5 rebounds), the team had to struggle with the aggressive defense of the Academics. Heidelberg capitalized on the visitors’ turnovers and was able to build up a small lead. However, Vechta was not able to shake off completely, but the high number of bad passes and a weak shooting percentage from outside (10/27) disrupted the rhythm of Martin Schiller’s team.
The game remained exciting in the final period. Vechta managed to reduce the deficit to two points, but the home side played with greater composure in the final minutes. David Horne in particular impressed in crunch time, draining all his free throws to finish with a haul of 16 points. The Academics defended their lead cleverly and left Vechta no chance of turning the game around.
Gavel’s first league success with Bamberg
Bamberg Baskets claim their first win of the season under Head Coach Anton Gavel at Skyliners Frankfurt. In a weak game characterized by defensive errors and low shooting percentages, the visitors ultimately came out on top against the newly promoted team. The game started without either side finding their rhythm in offense, which was due to the poor shooting percentages from downtown (Frankfurt 2/11, Bamberg 2/10). Whereas Frankfurt fought its way back to trail by two points by half-time, Bamberg impressed with ten offensive rebounds by then break.
The visitors initially got off to a better start in the second half and immediately sent a signal with a slam-dunk and a bucket from outside by Moritz Krimmer. However, Frankfurt, led by a strong Brendan Coplin (16, 6 rebounds), struck back and even managed to equalize at one stage. Yet Bamberg stepped up its game again at the end of the third period and went into the final quarter with a seven-point lead.
The club from Upper Franconia began the final period with a 5:0 run and opened up a decisive gap. Although the visitors conceded 18 turnovers, which repeatedly gave Frankfurt chances, Skyliners was not able to capitalize on them. Thanks to a solid team performance and dominant rebounding (46 in total, 17 of them offensively), Bamberg celebrated a deserved 66:58 victory in the end.