The basketball players of FC Bayern Munich won their third game in the still young BBL season, this time it was against Loewen Braunschwei by a score of 75-62. Since the FCBB still has the best scoring differential in comparison to the other undefeated teams, the German champion remains standings leader - and is ready for the cup duel in 48 hours at home against Bonn (14.10., 20:30 CEST) for a chance to enter the quarter finals. In front of 4,746 spectators in the Audi Dome, the Bavarians convinced with a great start to take a 23-5 lead and maintained the double-digit lead against the so far undefeated Niedersachsen opponent without any problems. Captain Danilo Barthel was the top Bavarian scorer with 14 points.
The game was the prelude to three home games in a row: On Monday the round of sixteen will follow in the German Cup up against Bonn. Three days later, on Thursday, 17.10., the EuroLeague newcomers from Villeurbanne - still undefeated after two games - will come to the Audi Dome (20:30).
Points per quarter Bayern - Braunschweig: 23-13, 20-16, 21-19, 11-14.
Two-point percentage: 57 % (FCBB) / 50 % (Braunschweig); Three-point percentage: 33 % / 19 %; Rebounds: 34 / 40; Offensiverebounds: 4 / 11; Assists: 20 / 16 - Imjured: TJ Bray (foot surgery), Josh Huestis (knee).
FCBB stats: Danilo Barthel (14 points), Greg Monroe (11/6 rebounds/6 assists), Nihad Djedovic (11), Paul Zipser (10/7 rebounds), Maodo Lo (9), Vladimir Lucic (6), Diego Flaccadori (5), Alex King (4), DeMarcus Nelson (2), Mathias Lessort (1) and Petteri Koponen.
Quotes:
FC Bayern Head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "After the game against Moscow on Thursday, we only had a very short rest period. We got up at five o'clock on Friday and travelled home. Our opponents had a good start into the season and were able to prepare for a week. So the game demanded a lot from us, but we got what we wanted, another win where we controlled the game. That's why I'm satisfied. Now we only have one day to prepare for the Cup game against Bonn on Monday."
Pete Strobl, head coach Braunschweig: "Congratulations to Bavaria on their well-deserved victory. In my opinion we were well prepared, but unfortunately the first few minutes didn't go according to plan. Nevertheless, we fought to the end, but unfortunately too little and much too late."
1st quarter
FCBB coach Dejan Radonjic placed his bet on the third gameday on the starters DeMarcus Nelson, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, Danilo Barthel and Greg Monroe. After the EuroLeague defeat in Moscow two days earlier, they started the game on fire and rolled over the young Lions with an 8-0 run within the first two minutes. Bayern -trained Karim Jallow was warmly welcomed by the Munich fans and scored for Braunschweig with a three to bring the score to10-5. Maodo Lo sank two threes in a row to take the biggest lead of the quarter at 23-5 but suddenly the free throws didn't fall any more and the guests shortened it to 23:13 after ten minutes of play.
2nd quarter
"Oldie but Goldie" Alex King stole the ball and slammed home a beauty of a dunk to retake a 15-point lead. Nihad Djedovic also made his mark on the gamae with a great take to the basket which resulted in points for Bayern. Two free throws from Monroe raised the lead to 20 points for the first time (37-17/16.). But the lions, who were on average four years younger than the Munich squad were far from beaten and took their claws out: Kostja Mushidi heated up for the visitors and to end the second quarter the Reds were up 43-29.
3rd quarter
The Bavarians took it easy after the side change and the guests shortened the lead to 45-33. The Munich team didn't want to let it get any more exciting so they flicked a switch and went on a thrilling 8-2 run back to get back to a comfortable lead 55-35. In this phase of the game, Bayyern hit many of their deep shots as Maodo Lo, Nihad Djedovic and Danilo Barthel banged home their attempts. During the last seconds of the third quarter, the Braunschweig players, who never gave up, fought their way back but Diego Flaccadori sank a buzzerbeater three take a 64-48 lead after 30 minutes.
4th quarter
For the first basket in the fourth the defending champion took a little too much time as almost three minutes had passed and the visitors came close to ten points (64-54/33.), when the Munich team increased the intensity and provided six quick points. The German champion now routinely managed the lead with a score of 73-60 and one minute to play. The fighting Lions tried everything once again to get at least into the single-digit gap in crunchtime, but Diego Flaccadori destroyed hopes with another sweet basket for a 75-62 final.
Upcoming games for Bayern
photo-Credit: Stickel, smoking stones