BBL on Saturday evening: Initially, the focus was on the battle to stay in the league, with the MBC securing an important win against Rostock. In the top game between runners-up Chemnitz and champions Ulm, the Niners looked like the sure winners – before Ulm made it really exciting again
Surprise team Niners Chemnitz remain the BBL leaders Bayern Munich’s top rivals. Thanks to a very strong first half, the Niners defeated ratiopharm Ulm 83:82 (49:31); it was the fourth defeat in the last five games for playoff contenders Ulm.
The favorites from Chemnitz, who recently lost 80:89 at Bayern in the top game, were superior from the outset. The Niners pulled 13 points ahead in the first period and led by as many as 20 points in the course of the first half.
Led by Kevin Yebo and Aher Uguak (16 points apiece), Chemnitz just managed to hold on to the lead after a final spurt by its opponents. The reigning champions fought back to within a point in the final period, but a slam-dunk by DeAndre Lansdowne and Chemnitz’s sure touch from the free throw line sealed it in the final minute.
Ludwigsburg benefits – MBC wins in the basement
The MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg benefited from the result. In an eventful duel between the playoff contenders, Ludwigsburg prevailed 86:72 (40:46) at Rasta Vechta and drew level with Ulm and Vechta with a 14-8 record.
Rasta was still leading at the start of the final quarter, but the Giants caught up with a furious 23:0 run to clinch victory. It was almost ten minutes before Vechta scored in the final period. Jayvon Graves led the Giants to victory with an outstanding 28 points.
The MBC had already secured an important win in the fight to stay in the league this afternoon. Weißenfels (7-15) beat its direct rival from Rostock (106-102) in front of its own crowd and now has one more win than the Seawolves (6-15) and three more than Crailsheim (4-18) in the first relegation place. Charles Callison led the home side with 27 points.
