43 hours after the EuroLeague victory in Moscow against Khimki (71-60), the basketball team of FC Bayern Munich won their BBL game in Bayreuth 93-90 and extended their record of straight 17 victories. In front of 3,400 spectators in the sold out Oberfrankenhalle, the standings leader found their rhythm early and maintained the lead against an aggressive and strong home team with a lot of passion, character and quality even in the gripping final phase of the game. Vladimir Lucic was the most top scorer for the Bavarians with 21 points.
On Thursday, January 31st, the Audi Dome will continue at 20:30 CET against Fenerbahce Istanbul, the leader of the EuroLeague. The Munich team will use their home strength to play a tough game with the fans behind them. The next BBL home game against Jena will follow on Saturday evening (2.2., 20:30).
Points per quarter Bayern - Bayreuth: 30-23, 20-18, 18-22, 27-25.
FCBB Stats: Vladimir Lucic (21 points), Nihad Djedovic (16/3 threes/5 rebounds), Derrick Williams (10), Braydon Hobbs (9/3 threes), Petteri Koponen (9), Maodo Lo (7), Danilo Barthel (7), Leon Radosevic (6), Robin Amaize (5), Stefan Jovic (2), Nemanja Dangubic (1), and Alex King.
Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "Congratulations to my players for this victory at the end of a really tough week. On Tuesday in Göttingen, on Friday in Moscow and today here in Bayreuth, that's an incredible program. But I must also congratulate my colleague, they played excellently against us. In the beginning we were still a bit tired and the focus was missing, but afterwards we got into the game well and gained a lead. It was a very interesting game in the second half. We were in front, but not far enough, so it became very tight again in the end. But again, after such a week I can only be very happy with my team, that was a good win for us".
Derrick Williams: "Wow, tomorrow is free!
Raoul Korner, Head Coach for Bayreuth: "Congratulations to Bavaria - not only for the victory, but for the whole last week. I think everyone who saw the game against Moscow was able to see how much quality this team has and how they can follow turn around a decicit in a very impressive way with an exorbitant score. The excellent scoring and fast break points were the two things that gave us headaches. After that, strange as it may sound, it was a game at eye level, but unfortunately didn't end as we would like. Don't forget that even if you lose tight, there are small things that make a big difference in the end."
1st quarter
Maodo Lo, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, Danilo Barthel and Leon Radosevic were the first five to be run by FCBB coach Dejan Radonjic. The first two shots for the Bavarians found the Bayreuth team's basket in a dreamlike way, Maodo Lo and Vladimir Lucic turned their three-pointers into a 6-2 lead (2nd minute of play). But the sixth place Bayreuth proved to be strong from distance hitting two threes by David Stockton and the German champion fell behind 10-8. But the Munich team had found their rhythm and fought their way back into the lead thanks to Vladimir Lucic who had a big 10-point quarter. The shooting % of the Reds from beyond the 6.75 m line was outstanding at one hundred percent: Derrick Williams sank the fifth three for the Bavarians to take a 23-17 lead. A 10-0 run by the Munich team provided the first double-digit lead for Munich at 27-17. After a fast and fun to wathc ten minutes the Munich team was 30-23 in front.
2nd quarter
Bayern's only weakness in the first quarter was defensively rebounding and it was again the problem right at the beginning of the second quarter - a second chance brought Bayreuth to within five 30-25. But the Bavarians kept their cool and finished their attacks and a three-pointer from FCBB captain Danilo Barthel increased the lead back to 36-27. Coach Radonjic distributed the playing time evenly, already at this early time of the game all players from the state capital had played. Petteri Koponen ended a short weak phase for the Munich team with a nice jump-shot against tight defense and maintained a 9-point lead with four to play. The Franks defended every inch of their court with fervor and stayed on the heels of the BBL favorites, and especially De'Mon Brooks found some success and kept things close. The Munich team came out of time-out with great determination and thanks to a 5-0 run, went into the half with a 50-41 lead.
3rd quarter
Although Nihad Djedovic sunk the first three point attempt after half-time, the hosts came out more determined and impressed with an 8-3 run, which Djedovic stopped again with a triple. Danilo Barthel and Stefan Jovic showed their class and scored to bring the score to 60-53 with five to play in the quarter. Topscorer Lucic was urgently needed in view of the ever stronger Upper Franconia, and he delivered in the form of a three-pointer to take a 63-58 lead. The so far unbeaten standings leader of the BBL was highly challenged, as Bayreuth managed to score at will and the Bavarians had a tight game at 68-63.
4th quarter
Danilo Barthel opened the final quarter with a dunk and Braydon Hobbs hit a trio with 24 seconds played to take again a double-digit lead, 73-63. The Upper Franconians have it everything and answered with two threes - forcing a time-out from Dejan Radonjic. The 11-0 run of the threateningly approaching Bayreuth was finally stopped by Leon Radosevic to keep the small lead at 80-77. The guests improved their chances with a three from "Mister Reliable" Nihad Djedovic. The tension was as already in the first matchup a few weeks ago almost unbearable - the Bayreuther had approached 88 seconds before the end of the game within two points, 87-85. A sensational dung by Derrick Williams shifted the hopes of the Bayreuther fans again as it gave Bayern a four-point lead with 74 seconds to play. The FCBB defense was phenomenal and Bayreuths Stockton missed hisfree throws while Maido Lo hit his (91:85/55 seconds). A Bayern turnover just a few seconds before the end made it again unnecessarily exciting, but the BBL table leader cstill managed to clinch their 17th victory in their 17th game.
(Photo-Credit: Ochs & Stickel)