The Bayern basketball players win a tight one at Khimki Moscow

The FC Bayern basketball team, which is short of players, won the expectedly difficult EuroLeague game at Khimki Moscow after a gripping fight by a score of 95-93 and thus scored an immensely important road victory. Bayern now stands at 13-9 in the Euroleague. Head coach Andrea Trinchieri's team withstood the pressure in the battle of nerves in the final quarter and won the final ten minutes, 22-18.

In front of 334 spectators, the Munich team let the hosts, who were also not complete (without Booker and Jovic), catch up after a very good start (15-4/5th) and go into the last ten minutes with a 75-73 lead. Bayern had to do without their two captains Nihad Djedovic  and Vladimir Lucic (back), also playmaker Zan Mark Sisko, Robin Amaize (calf) and youngster Matej Rudan (ankle).

Nick Weiler-Babb stood out with 25 points and a PIR of 38, center James Gist (19 points) also delivered a strong game. 

Bayern will remain in the airport hotel at Sheremetyevo Airport before moving on Thursday for the tough second matchup of their Moscow expedition. The game at co-table leader and title favorite ZSKA Moscow kicks off again at 18:00 on Friday, with MagentaSport broadcasting at 17:45. The week ends for the FCBB on Sunday evening at 18:00 with the home game in the Audi Dome against the current BBL runner-up Crailsheim.

Points per quarter Bayern - Khimki: 26-15, 18-29, 29-31, 22-18.

Stats: Two-point shooting: 54% (FCBB) // 50% (Khimki); Three-point shooting: 47% // 38%; Free-throw shooting: 79% // 91%; Rebounds: 38 // 27; Assists: 20 // 18; Turnovers: 14 // 8.

Quotes:
Andrea Trinchieri: "We are in a difficult phase of the season, but that happens in a marathon. We are missing some players, both teams were missing players. It was also a nightmare game, because Khimki played for more than 20 minutes with five shooters, each of whom can shoot well. That was very difficult to defend, they took 34 threes. We didn't play great, but we won a big game. That's why I congratulated my players with all due respect, because we were missing five players and still they got this win together; they did a great job. Babb and Gist were incredible in important moments. Nick Babb also defended well against Shved and distributed the ball. But everyone helped today, including Gist and Baldwin, you just need a team effort for a win like this. After last week's game, when we were terrible, and against this home team Khimki, who fought incredibly hard, it was very important to fight back. We will go back to the hotel now with a very good feeling."        

Nick Weiler-Babb: "This was a great win for us because we came back as a team and especially on defense when it mattered. I thank my team and coach for the confidence. I hope we can carry the momentum and continue against ZSKA on Friday."

Games Gist: "That was a gritty battle because Khimki came out here and fought unbelievably. They have such good shooters, it was hard against them. But we also had some players missing, but we showed character, especially after what happened last week. We knew they were short in big men, so we wanted to go for the offensive rebounds."

Game recap:
Wade Baldwin, Nick Weiler-Babb, Paul Zipser, JaJuan Johnson and Leon Radosevic started and started the game in the best way possible. The defense worked and the offense succeeded almost every time down the court. After four minutes, every player in the starting lineup had scored, and the lead was already in double digits (12-2). Khimki's timeout promptly threw the FCBB out of their rhythm and the consequence was a few turnovers and the last team in the standings began closing in (15-10/7th). The Munich team remained calm, however, and extended its lead again by the end of quarter one - 26-15.

Bayern lost the thread a bit against Khimki's zone defense and Moscow used that to go on a 9-0 run (26-24/14th). Weiler-Babb stopped the momentum of the Russians with two clean jumpers but FCBB's carelessness made it too easy again and again. Top star Alexey Shved got going and the threes fell for the 36-36 equalizer (17th). The hosts got fired up and got the crowd into the game- time-out Trinchieri after a 40-37 lead was taken by Khimki. Bayern managed to keep the score even until halftime (44-44), but 29 points from Khimki in the second quarter were disappointing.

The Munich team came out of the dressing room freshly adjusted and went on a 6-0 run, but again carelessness played into the Russians' hands (53-52/24). Gist had a very good day and scored spectacularly again and again as with a slam dunk to take a 60-55 lead (26th). Jalen Reynolds also worked under the opponent's basket and finished with a dunk (67-61/27th). Baldwin cleverly got Shved to commit his fourth foul but as soon as Moscow's top star was on the bench, Errick McCollum took over. The 8-0 run cost the Munich team the lead - 75-73.

Weiler-Babb led the way with five points and great effort on defense (78-75/31st). The FCBB repeatedly deprived themselves of the reward for their efforts through annoying and avoidable turnovers and Khimki stayed in the game (80-77/35th). Shved was on the spot again after a three-pointer by Weiler-Babbs and reduced the lead to 83-82 (36th). In the front court the FCBB grabbed the offensive rebounds nearly at will thanks in large part to Gist (91-85 (39th). Weiler-Babb crowned his fantastic performance on defense by blocking Shved again at the end. In an exciting final phase Khimki stayed close but the guests kept the upper hand with strong nerves at the free-throw line.

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Photo Credit: Ivan Korzhenevskiy