The basketball team of FC Bayern Munich won 84-74 in front of 5,619 spectators in Braunschweig. The game was a back and forth affair that saw a big lead for Bayern get squandered and then rebuild again for the win. The top scorer for Bayern was again Derrick Williams with 17 points.
Already on Sunday, May 26th at 18:00 the Munich team will have their chance to be in the play-off semi-finals.
To the ticket shop
Points per quarter: 28-14, 18-21, 19-25, 19-14.
FCBB stats: Derrick Williams (17 points, 8 rebounds); Vladimir Lucic (15; 7 rebounds); Petteri Koponen (13); Stefan Jovic (12); Devin Booker (10, 7 rebounds); Danilo Barthel (7, 6 rebounds); Leon Radosevic (4); Nemanja Dangubic (2); Maodo Lo (2); Nemanja Dangubic (2); Alex King and Marvin Ogunsipe.
Quotes:
FCBB head coach Dejan Radonjic: "We started very well and played excellent basketball for a few minutes. But after that the defence was just sloppy and Braunschweig was strong and they kept it up in the second half as well. In the last five minutes we finally defended again, but with the good first 15 minutes at the beginning that's only 20 together. But the most important thing now is that we prepare well and hopefully get the next win on Sunday."
Frank Menz, head coach for Löwen Braunschweig: "Congratulations to the Bavarians, but also to my team. The game was a reflection of the season, when I see our injuries especially now that Lansdowne is out. But to show such a performance against a top team in Europe is fantastic."
Derrick Williams: "We played ten minutes of good basketball and 30 minutes of bad basketball. Sengfelder hurt us a lot today - he's a very good player. They are a young and good team. They challenged us a lot in the first two games and had us on the verge of defeat in front of their own fans. We want to improve on Sunday and finish the series."
Danilo Barthel: "We came out well at the beginning, but bad five minutes, which we always have in it, brought Braunschweig back again, we can't afford that anymore. One or two votes did not vote, we will have to look at and analyse that tomorrow.
1st quarter
FCBB coach Radonjic started the first play-off away game with Stefan Jovic, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, Danilo Barthel and Devin Booker. Jovic and Lucic put Bayern up by five after just a few minutes of play but they were then slowed down by some sloppy play punctuated by turnovers. With a few free-throws from Derrick Williams' and Maodo the Bavarians found their rhythm again and gradually extended their lead to 12-6. After another Williams three Petteri Koponen caught fire and he led his team to what would be a wonderful first quarter and a score of 28-12.
2nd quarter
Even after the first quarter break, the Bavarians continued scoring in bunches and took their first 20 point lead with an Alley-oop-Dunk by Booker. Braunschweig did not give up after the clear deficit and increased the intensity on defense, forced many turnovers and sent the Munichers again and again to the free-throw line. With a 7-0 run at the end of the first half, the hosts shortened the lead to 46-35 after 20 minutes.
3rd quarter
Braunschweig clearly had a good break as they came out hot in the second half and continued to narrow what was once a big lead for the visitors. After the hosts came within four points, Dejan Radonjic was forced to take a time-out, 50-46. Lucic and Booker scored after the time-out and Bayern fans breathed a sigh of relief. But Braunschweig were still not going to be counted out of this game at home and they fought back to within one point of tying the game. Nemanja Dangubic finished the penultimate quarter with a dunk which led to a 65-60 score after three quarters.
4th quarter
Jovic opened the quarter with a basket and the Bavarians were again seven points ahead. But Braunschweig continued to fight in front of the loud fans and finally tied things up at 67 apiece. The German champion wobbled briefly, but when they needed to most, they found their feet again. In the final minutes, the hosts were really put to the task and the Munich team finished the game with a 15-5 run and a final score of 84-74.
