The basketball players of FC Bayern Munich won on the road in against MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg by a final score of 91-75. In front of 4,070 spectators, FCBB maintained a lead since the second minute of the game. Every player - with the exception of Petteri Koponen, who rested early - scored. With the 25th victory in their 27th game, the Bavarians maintained their top position in the Bundesliga. Captain Danilo Barthel was the best Munich scorer with 24 points.
For the Bavarians it continues on Sunday (14.3, 16:30) in the Audi Dome against Braunschweig.
Points per quarter Bayern - Ludwigsburg: 21-20, 27-27, 27-16, 16-22.
FCBB Stats: Danilo Barthel (24 points, 5 rebounds), Nihad Djedovic (18), Stefan Jovic (8, 5 assists), Vladimir Lucic (7, 7 rebounds), Braydon Hobbs (6), Marvin Ogunsipe (6), Derrick Williams (5), Maodo Lo (5), Nemanja Dangubic (5), Leon Radosevic (4), Alex King (3) and Petteri Koponen.
Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "That was a good game from us. We had over 40 minutes of control over the result. I didn't like the defense in the second quarter but otherwise we presented ourselves well."
Alex King: "It was a good game. We defended very well and closed the passing lanes. Ludwigsburg is a strong team at home right now. We want to win every game and claim first place. Now we finally have as much time as the other teams always have to prepare for matches, that makes us better, of course."
1st quarter
FCBB coach Radonjic started with Stefan Jovic, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, Danilo Barthel and Leon Radosevic. Djedovic scored the first points of the game from the free-throw line and overall the FCBB got off to a good start - defensively as well as offensively. Jovic, Barthel and Radosevic brought the guests a comfortable lead early and forced Ludwigsburg to take an early time-out. The Bavarians kept the concentration high and FCBB captain Barthel raised the score to 11-2 after three minutes of play. The guests continued their dominance and Nihad Djedovic built up the lead with a three and and and-one. Immediately before the first quarter break Lo showed one of his great strengths: a steal in front of his own basket followed by a lightning fast fastbreak with. 21-10 for the FCBB after ten minutes.
2nd quarter
The Bavarians didn't get a good start into the second quarter and let the hosts get up to within four points, which forced Dejan Radonjic to take his first time-out. In the middle of the quarter the Bavarians found their rhythm again and were able to regain the double-digit lead by Djedovic's three, 31-21. At the end of the quarter the hosts fought their way back into the ballgame again - but the Munich team again found a suitable answer. Radosevic and Djedovic hit from the charity strip and that was followed by a déjà vu experience from the first quarter: Lo with a steal in the own half and easy points at the other end. 48-37 for the break. Djedovic was perfect from the free-throw line and from the field, moreover the record player of the FCBB had already booked three steals at the break (13 points, 3/3 FG, 5/5 FT).
3rd quarter
At the beginning of the second half, the Bavarians set the course for victory early: Djedovic with a three and some sweet buckets from Barthel led to a big 55-37 lead. In the course of the 3rd quarter, the champion maintained their concentration and took the lead up to 20 points in the final minute after Nemanja Dangubic hit two free-throws. But the highlight of the third quarter goes to Barthel: A statement block and powerful dunk helped bring a comfortable lead for Bayern heading in to the final ten minutes, 75:53.
4th quarter
Even in the last quarter, the captain continued impres despite the score. The Bavarians started to rest on their laurels a little and let Ludwigsburg go on a quick 9-0 run. Radonjic reacted immediately with a time-out . His team promptly responded with a 7-0 run, with points from Marvin Ogunsipe and Alex King and thus decided the game, 91-72.
Upcoming games:
Sun., 14.4., 16:30: FCBB - Braunschweig (BBL)
Thur 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., 15:00: Casting - FCBB (BBL)
Fri, 10.5., 20:30: FCBB - Ulm (BBL)
Sun, 12.5, 18:00.: Bonn - FCBB (BBL)
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Playoffs 2019: start Saturday, May 18th
Photo credit: Stickel and Eirich