The basketball players of FC Bayern won the Franconian-Bavarian rivalry game in Würzburg, in front of 3,140 spectators. In a sold out hall they won by a final score of 90-82. The champions, still undefeated in the BBL (5-0), profited from a strong third quarter with a big 15-1 run. In the final minutes, The top scorers were Greg Monroe and Paul Zipser, who played his 100th BBL game in the Bavarian jersey with 13 points each. Youngster Sasha Grant, 17, scored his first BBL points in just a few minutes of play.
For the Bavarians, things will continue next Wednesday (October 30th, 20:30 CET.) at home against the royal star ensemble of Real Madrid in the EuroLeague. On Friday evening (21:00) will be an away game ag Vítoria-Gasteiz.
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Points per quarter Bayern - Wuerzburg: 16-17, 26-26, 25-11, 23-28.
Facts & Figures - Two-point percentage: 53% (FCBB) // 51% (Würzburg); Three-point pecentage: 50% // 43%; Rebounds: 35 // 25; Assists: 24 // 24; Turnovers: 14 // 8. - Injuries: TJ Bray (post-foot surgery), Josh Huestis (knee pain), Mathias Lessort (foot ligaments).
FCBB stats: Greg Monroe (13 points/5 rebounds), Paul Zipser (13/3 threes), Vladimir Lucic (10/6 rebounds), Danilo Barthel (9), Maodo Lo (8/4 assists/2 blocks), Petteri Koponen (8), Nihad Djedovic (7/5 rebounds), Alex King (6), DeMarcus Nelson (6), Leon Radosevic (4/4 assists), Sasha Grant (4), Diego Flaccadori (2).
Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "How we started the second half was of course very important from our point of view. We did a good job, especially on defense. Except for the few minutes near the end we controlled the game. We only lost five balls in the second half and had a total of 24 assists today, which was also important from my point of view. Now we have a difficult week with two games in the EuroLeague ahead of us and we have to prepare well for that."
Denis Wucherer, Head Coach Würzburg: "Congratulations to Bayern Munich on their deserved victory. Compared to last week, we're going out of the game with a more satisfied feeling. I'm also of the opinion that the third quarter was decisive, we didn't have the same energy and the ball didn't find it's way through the basket. Maybe we'll have to get rid of the VIÜ buffet earlier so that there's more atmosphere again. It hurt us that Bayern took Jordan Hulls out of the game and also successfully attacked Luke Fischer on defense."
Paul Zipser: "At the half we were told that we have to communicate better and need a better focus. I think we did better, but we lost something in the end. Every road game in the Bundesliga is loud and difficult. We have to be more concentrated and play together better from the start so that we're better in the game right away. Against Real we have to communicate better and start better, in the last games it was always a weakness. If we do that better, we'll be a really good team."
1st quarter
DeMarcus Nelson, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, Danilo Barthel and Greg Monroe formed the starting five for Dejan Radonjic. Nelson, who started for Maodo Lo, got off to a good start and contributed four of Bavaria's first six points. The German champions dominated the boards (19-10 rebounds in the first half), but had problems with closing out and allowed too many three-pointers (8/19). Zipser finished the scoring in the first quarter with a deep three but Bayern still trailed, 17-16.
2nd quarter
The fact that Zipsernot only can shoot but also distribute the ball was proven at the beginning of the second quarter with assists to Petteri Koponen and Lo, who each hit from outside to take a 22-20 lead. The hosts, however, never let the FCBB get too far ahead, which was due to many mistakes made by the favorites.
3rd quarter
The necessary increase in performance came after the break: While the Franconians scored first, the Bavarians tightened the reins and went on an 15-1 run thanks in large part to Barthel and Zipser and the score was now 57-46 for Bayern. Zipser and BBL record player Alex King scored yet again to take a comfortable lead shortly before the final quarter (66-52).
4th quarter
At the beginning of the last quarter, the Bavarians kept up the pace and this resulted in the first 20-point lead of the night. Lo managed his second block on defense, before he assisted Zipser with a beautiful Alley-oop. The game seemed decided, but the Würzburgers - again due to Munich negligence - started a final run and got to within four points, 86-82. After Zipser fouled Victor Rudd eleven seconds before the end, the Franks had the chance to reduce the score to three points, but the American hit two of his three attempts. The hosts then sent Djedovic and Lucic to the line, where they scored to finish the scoring at 90-82.
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Photo credit: Stickel, Eirich