FC Bayern Munich's basketball players defeated the MBC from Weißenfels by a score of 92-67 and remain firmly atop the BBL standings. Coach Dejan Radonjic's team is ahead of second place Oldenburg by two games plus the head-to-head advantage.
In front of 4,667 spectators in the Audi Dome, the German champions lived up to their role as favorites early on. Derrick Williams and Stefan Jovic were given a break, as was Petteri Koponen. Devin Booker, who has been injured for several weeks was in the lineup in front of his fans for the first time in three months, scored 15 points and was thus the top scorer for Bayern. Six players scored double-digit points, youngster Nelson Weidemann, 19, scored for the first time ever for the FCBB in his first game.
The Bavarians will play at Olympiakos Piraeus (20:00) on Tuesday, March 19th before the eagerly awaited reunion with former Bayern coach Svetislav Pesic on Thursday March 2st (20:00) and finally FC Barcelona will have the honour of playing in the Audi Dome (20:00).
Points per quarter Bayern - MBV: 24-18, 31-20, 16-11, 21-18.
FCBB Stats: Devin Booker (15 points), Leon Radosevic (13), Braydon Hobbs (12/4 three), Danilo Barthel (12/8 rebounds/5 assists), Vladimir Lucic (6), Nemanja Dangubic (5), Robin Amaize (3), Nelson Weidemann (2), Alex King and Petteri Koponen (dnp).
Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "The first half we were very well focused and the offense was especially very good. The next week will be very hard for us with two EuroLeague games which is why winning today was very important for us. We're also happy that Nelson Weidemann scored his first points in the BBL and Devin Booker was back in the Audi Dome after three months, which I liked very much. Koponen had slight back problems during warm-ups, so we decided against playing him. I think he will soon be fit again, just like Jovic. Derrick is ok, he was just rested. I hope all the players will be on board tomorrow when we leave for Athens early."
MBC head coach, Silvano Poropat: "I congratulate the Bavarians on their victory. They controlled the game all the time. We tried everything, but for today the energy was missing. We had some good shots in the first half but didn't make many of them and we made too many mistakes on defense. When Bayern took the lead up to 20, it was very difficult. Congratulations again and we now have to concentrate on the next game."
1st quarter
FCBB coach Dejan Radonjic started the 24th BBL game with Braydon Hobbs, Nihad Djedovic, Nemanja Dangubic, Danilo Barthel and Leon Radosevic. The Bavarians presented themselves during the opening minutes very focused and committed and from an aggressive defense they quickly played forward to offense. The reward was an 8-0 run for the home team. A big-time three from Braydon Hobbs brought the Munich team to a 14-5 lead. Three minutes before the end of the first quarter Devin Bookers substitution and his return to the floor of the Audi Dome was frenetically celebrated by the fans.
2nd quarter
Devin Booker opened quarter number two with a three-pointer and because it was so beautiful, Nihad Djedovic immediately followed with one of his own and Bayern took a 30-20 lead. Nelson Weidemann celebrated his premiere in the BBL and received valuable playing experience in the top German league. Two Braydon Hobbs threes increased the lead to 38-22 and forced the guest coach Silvano Poropat to take a time-out . After the second quarter, the Munich team were clearly ahead with a score of 55-38.
3rd quarter
The German champions kept the relegation-threatened guests clearly at a distance and Leon Radosevic achieved the first lead with a jump shot from the free-throw line to take a 20-point lead. The fans were in the best mood and celebrated the big lead for the Bavarians and were happy for a not-so-stressful game. After 30 minutes, the Munich squad led 71-49.
4th quarter
Maodo Lo ignited the turbo, was unstoppable on the way to the MBC basket and scored without effort to kick-off the final quarter. Nihad Djedovic decided that anything Lo could do, he could do better and proceeded to make a layup plus a foul for a three-point play. . Nelson Weidemann scored his first points in the BBL, two free throws and coach Radonjic began to distribute the minutes amongst all the bench players. The ans in the Audi Dome rose appreciatively from their seats two minutes before the end and celebrated the big win with sighs and cheers of relief and happiness.
Upcoming games:
Tue, 19.3., 20:00: Olympiakos Piraeus - FCBB (EuroLeague)
Thu, 21.3., 20:00: FCBB - FC Barcelona (EL)
Mon., 25.3., 19:00: Würzburg - FCBB (easyCredit BBL)
Fri, 29.3., 18:15: Darussafaka Istanbul - FCBB (EL)
Sun., 31.3., 16:30: FCBB - Ludwigsburg (BBL)
Fri, 5.4., 20:00.: FCBB - Gran Canaria (EL)
Sun 7.4., 18:00.: Frankfurt - FCBB (BBL)
Thu., 11.4., 20:30: Ludwigsburg - FCBB (BBL)
Sun., 14.4., 16:30: FCBB - Braunschweig (BBL)
Fri 19.4 15:00.: FCBB - Crailsheim (BBL)
Sun, 28.4, 18:00.: Berlin - FCBB (BBL)
Tue, 30.4., 20:30: FCBB - Bamberg (BBL)
So., 5.5., 15:30: Casting - FCBB (BBL)
Fri, 10.5., 20:30: FCBB - Ulm (BBL)
Sun, 12.5, 18:00.: Bonn - FCBB (BBL)
Photos: Stickel & Rauchensteiner