The basketball team of FC Bayern Munich won on the 14th game of the EuroLeague season with a 77-76 overtime victory at Alba Berlin and thus celebrated their first road win in the current season. In front of 11,229 spectators in the Hall at Ostbahnhof, the Munich team led with twelve points at the end of the third quarter, but then allowed a 16-0 run to the runners-up. In the final minute, the German champions were nearly defeated - behind 15 seconds before the end - when national team player Maodo Lo propelled Bayern into overtime with two threes within seven seconds. Alba's last shot missed the target.
Nihad Djedovic made his comeback after a 13 game injury break while Leon Radosevic paused again as a precaution due to slight problems with the ankle joint. The top scorer for the FCBB was co-captain and Energizer Vladimir Lucic with 19 points while Greg Monroe had 17.
Already on Friday evening (20.12.) the EuroLeague favorites, FC Barcelona, will visit the Audi Dome - tip-off at 20:30 CET.
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The third mission within five days will be on Sunday (15:00) at Giessen.
Points per quarter Bayern - Berlin: 19-10, 11-18, 20-20, 29-21.
Facts & Figures - Two-point shooting: 51,5% (FCBB) // 32,6% (Berlin); Three-point shooting: 38,5% // 35,7%; Rebounds: 38 // 37; Assists: 17 // 17; Turnovers: 23 // 17. - Injured: TJ Bray (advanced training), Leon Radosevic (ankle joint).
FCBB stats: Vladimir Lucic (19 points, 4/4 threes), Greg Monroe (17/10 rebounds), Maodo Lo (13), Danilo Barthel (10), Nihad Djedovic (7), Josh Huestis (5), DeMarcus Nelson (2), Diego Flaccadori (2), Alex King (2) Mathias Lessort (2 blocks), Petteri Koponen and Paul Zipser.
Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "This victory is of course very important for us. Because it's the first away win in the EuroLeague and before we had lost them all. At the beginning, the game was marked by many mistakes, we had problems with rebounding and with turnovers in the first half, despite an overall solid defense. In the third quarter we took a lead and controlled the game, but in a few minutes it tilted. Alba had the chance to win, but then Maodo hit two threes and brought us into overtime. We had difficulties with rebounding the whole game and won despite 25 turnovers, which is unusual. Now we only have one day to prepare for one of the best teams in Europe, FC Barcelona. We still have a lot of room for improvement and the long injured players still need time, they hardly trained with us and have been away so long. But I'm optimistic that we'll improve over time."
Maodo Lo: "Alba started a 16-0 run at the end and it's a miracle that we came back. I'm glad that my two threes went in at the end, those were important shots that I feel comfortable with, but I'm glad that they went in. Playing against Alba is very difficult, especially on the road. I had difficulties throughout the game, but the fact that these shots went in at the end is a relief. It's also a relief that we could finally celebrate our first road win."
Greg Monroe: "This first road win is very important for us. We fought hard and had a good run in the third quarter, but Alba came back and I'm glad we won the game in overtime. Every day in training and in the games we try to get better and get to know each other better. We were very focused in training last week and on today's game plan. In the end, Maodo hit difficult shots and Vlado Lucic also helped us a lot in the second half. We stayed together and fought for victory. But we already have the next tough game on Friday and have to play there with the same energy."
Vladimir Lucic: "Of course we're very happy, it wasn't a normal EuroLeague game for us. It's always a special duel against Alba and both teams started nervously. In the end, we deserved to win. Only victory counts today. In the first half I didn't play so well, but in the second I could help the team. The fact that two German teams meet in the EuroLeague is good for German basketball, but also for European basketball."
1st quarter
The FCBB started with Maodo Lo, Petteri Koponen, Vladimir Lucic, Danilo Barthel and Mathias Lessort. At the beginning, both teams had a hard time getting points on the scoreboard. Berlin, however, was a bit more offensive than Bayern and scored their first points with two three-point plays by Rokas Giedraitis. The FCBB finally got the long missed support from the bench and Josh Huestis scored his first five points in FCBB dress to take a 16-10 lead.-Nihad Djedovic celebrated his comeback and finished the quarter with a three. The score was 19-10 for the German champions heading to the second quarter.
2nd quarter
The second quarter started like the previous one ended, with points from Djedovic, who thus completed a 10-0 run for the visitors. The hosts, however, did not let Bayern break away and came back with a trio by Giedraitis and points from Luke Sikma. Overall, both teams - certainly favored by good defense on both sides - lost too many turnovers. Twelve turnovers were already booked on both sides at half time. Mistakes coupled with good defensive work also explain the low scoring at half time as Bayern held a small lead, 30-28.
3rd quarter
Right at the beginning of the second half Lucic extended the lead with two threes. The Munich squad dominated the game until the final phase of the quarter and after a remarkable block from Lessort, Lucic drilled a three for a 12-point lead. Afterwards the mistakes accumulated and Berlin sprinted on a 10-0 run, led by Makai Mason and the score was 50:48 in favor of Bayern after 30 minutes.
4th quarter
The hosts continued their run and turned the game in their favour, 54-50. Greg Monroe finally stopped the run after five minutes without a basket. The fans in the capital became extra-loud after a three from Marcus Eriksson took a five-point lead for Berlin. Lucic answered in the wild final minute with a bucket from outside and Bayern got to within two points. After Mason hit again for Berlin, Lo converted the first of his two step-back-threes - only one point behind and still ten seconds to play. Munich got lazy and sent Martin Hermannsson to the line, who hit both free-throws safely. Once again, Lo took over Bayern's responsibility and scored two seconds before the buzzer to tie things up at 72. Alba took another time-out, but did not get another shot off. Overtime.
Overtime
Djedovic opened the scoring before Mason and Landry Nnoko contributed the only points for the hosts in OT. Monroe and Lo decided the thriller at the free-throw line in favor of the FCBB, 77-76. The last shot was taken by Niels Giffey but it was off and the game belonged to Bayern.
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Photo-Credit: Stickel and Hoffmann/Euroleague
