The basketball team of FC Bayern Munich defeated Frankfurt 80-71 on Sunday evening and extended their record winning-streak to 15. In front of 4,538 spectators in the Audi Dome, the Munichers had only 40 hours after the EuroLeague victory over Milan before tip-off but from the second quarter on, they controlled the game against the number 12 team in the BBL. Danilo Barthel was the top scorer for Bayern with 18 points.

Bayern now has four straight difficult road games in the BBL at Göttingen and Bayreuth, and in the EuroLeague twice in Moscow (ZSKA and Khimki). On Thursday, January 31st, at 20:30 CET, the current leader of the EuroLeague, Fenerbahce Istanbul, will visit the Audi Dome.

Points per Quarter Bayern-Frankfurt: 22-23, 17-8, 22-21, 19-19.

FCBB Stats: Danilo Barthel (18 points/4 threes/6 rebounds), Nihad Djedovic (12), Nemanja Dangubic (12), Petteri Koponen (10), Maodo Lo (6), Stefan Jovic (6), Braydon Hobbs (5), Marvin Ogunsipe (5), Alex King (2), Derrick Williams (2), Leon Radosevic (2) and Robin Amaize.

Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "Today the focus was missing, especially in the first half. Frankfurt had its chances in the second half and they played well. But after the break we played with more energy and finally deserved to win - that's all that counts in this busy schedule and the many hard games."

Frankfurt head coach, Gordon Herbert, head coach: "It was an interesting game - the third in five days and we have five injured players. In the second and third quarters the Bavarians picked up the pace, in the fourth quarter we came back and had some good chances. Congratulations to FC Bayern Basketball. Seeing them play in the EuroLeague and their development there is great; that's good for all of German Basketball."

1st quarter
Stefan Jovic, Robin Amaize, Nemanja Dangubic, Danilo Barthel and Marvin Ogunsipe formed the starting line-up for FCBB coach Dejan Radonjic. Ogunsipe banged home a three-pointer for the first points of the game after a nice assist from Jovic. Richard Freudenberg, who trained in Bayern as a youth, not only kept his team in the game, but also took an early lead for the Frankfurters. FCBB played too much on their heels and after less than four minutes fell behind 12-8 and were forced to call a time-out.  However, a three by Danilo Barthel and another by Nemanja Dangubic kept Bayern within reach. Maodo Lo was also successful from beyond the arc and the 5/5 from deep kept them within one at the end of the first quarter, 23-22. 

2nd quarter
The Frankfurt Skyliners already had eleven offensive rebounds and used second and third chances to extend their lead again, 27-22. The Bavarians then forced a few turnovers and went on a 6-0 run thanks to effective offense from Jovic and Hobbs - time-out Skyliners as Bayern took a 28-27 lead. Slowly, but surely, the German champions found their way - Danilo Barthel's second three took a 33-29 lead with four minutes to play. An impressive dunk by Nemanja Dangubic enchanted the fans and lifted the lead and at the end of the half the score was 39-31 for Bayern. 

3rd quarter
The Bavarians started with a textbook attack in the second half, which Braydon Hobbs finished with a a three which meant a double-digit lead. Frankfurt coach Gordon Herbert took a time-out after two minutes of the quarter thanks to  a Nihad Djedovic three and a 14-point deficit. FCBB now impressively brought their class onto the Audi Dome stage: An 8-0 run extended the Munich team's lead to 53-35 and forced the next Skyliners time-out. Bayern was close to a 20-pont lead when they carelessly allowed an 8-0 run and a 57-47 lead at the break. 

4th quarter
Clark opened the final quarter with another trio and to the horror of the fans another deep bucket brought the visitors to within three at 61-58. FCBB had lost their rhythm offensively and their first basket fell in the last quarter after almost four minutes. Nihad Djedovic finished at the rim after an important offensive rebound and the team again had some breathing room. Frankfurt attempted to foul their way back intot he game but Djedovic hit his free-throws with nerves of steel.  In the end, Barthel hit a big shot to put the game away and assure the 15th straight BBL victory.

(Photo-Credit: Stickel & Rauchensteiner)