The EWE Baskets Oldenburg have won the next game in the BBL relegation battle under new coach Ingo Freyer – and how! Internationally, there was nothing to get for the German representatives.
The stumbling former champions and cup winners EWE Baskets Oldenburg have won another important victory in the fight to stay in the BBL. With a 110-103 (61-50) win at Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt, the last-place team in the table closed the gap on its nearest rival, s.Oliver Würzburg, and moved to within two points of the Hessians.
For the 2015 Cup winners, who were runners-up in 2017, it was only their fourth win in the 19th game of the season. The match-winner for the Donnervögel, who have recently been coached by former national player Ingo Freyer, was Max Heidegger with 27 points.
Weak second half: Ulm lose against Ljubljana
ratiopharm Ulm have lost again at home after four home victories in a row. On Wednesday, the Swabians lost 96-104 (55-50) against Slovenian record champions Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana in the Eurocup. With a record of six wins and seven losses, the Ulm team still has a good chance of reaching the last 16.
In an offensive game, first the guests, then the Ulm team found their rhythm: The hosts led 34:28 after the first quarter and had sunk six of their seven threes by then. Especially Semaj Christon and Jaron Blossogame were convincing. Blossomgame had scored 23 points at half-time, hitting each of his ten throws from the field.
After the break, the Swabians lost their rhythm: They scored only 15 points in the third quarter and trailed by three points before the final period. The guests extended their lead through good ball movement, but the hosts remained within striking distance. In the final phase, a former Ulm player ensured the decision in Ljubljana’s favour: Zoran Dragic hit two three-pointers within 43 seconds.
The Ulm team again had to do without three regular players: former NBA pro Cristiano Felicio, national basketball player Karim Jallow and Christoph Philipps. Jaron Blossomgame (29 points) and Semaj Christon (28 points) stepped in for them.
Bayreuth without a chance in Warsaw – Ludwigsburg weak in throwing
medi Bayreuth also lost its sixth game in the Top 32 round of the FIBA Europe Cup on Wednesday and remains winless in last place in its group. The Upper Franconians lost to Legia Warsaw by a huge 55:80.
In the Champions League, the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg were ultimately without an order in the Top 16 round on Matchday 3 at Israeli representative Hapoel Holon after an even first half: 51:69 (21:22). The Barockstädter’s run of success has thus come to an end after five wins in the competition. In the second game of their intermediate round group, the Ludwigsburg team lost for the first time. Tyrus McGee, Holon’s newcomer, hit four threes in the third quarter alone. Justin Simon led the low-scoring Swabians (27 percent) with 17 points.
Statistics from Wednesday night
Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt – EWE Baskets Oldenburg 103:110 (50:61)
Best scorers: McLean (21), Cherry (19), Wank (16), Schoormann (14), Haarms (10) for Frankfurt. – Heidegger (27), Michalak (23), Pressey (18), Pjanic (11), Paulding (11) for Oldenburg. – Spectators: 811
ratiopharm Ulm – Olimpija Ljubljana/Slovenia 96:104 (56:50)
Best scorers: Blossomgame (29), Christon (28), Herkenhoff (13), Thornwell (12) for Ulm – Dragic (20), Ejim (20), Blazic (15), Muric (13), Auguste (11), Ferrell (10) for Ljubljana. – Spectators: –
