Bayern wins defensive battle and establish themselves at the top of the EuroLeague

The FC Bayern basketball team has for the time being established itself in the top third of the EuroLeague: The team of head coach Andrea Trinchieri won the groundbreaking home game against Red Star Belgrade with a final score of 74-59 and is now in a brilliant position with a 5-2 record. In a tough defensive battle, Bayern had on the offensive side, but with their controlled defense they stayed in the game and made a decisive breakthrough in the final quarter with a furious 13-0 run. In the final quarter the FCBB only allowed ten points from the guests and won the rebounding duel 37:31. Nick Weiler-Babb and Wade Baldwin were the Bayern's top scorers with 15 points each.

Bayern can now briefly rest at home and concentrate on the Bundesliga season opener without the stress of travel: On Sunday (8.11. 18:00./MagentaSport), Rasta Vechta will visit to start the tenth BBL season and the tenth year of the FCBB in the Audi Dome.

Points per quarter Bayern - Belgrade: 18-14, 15-17, 22-21, 19-8.

Stats: Two-point shooting: 53% (FCBB) // 39% (Belgrade); Three-point shooting: 35% // 28%; Free-throw shooting: 76% // 83%; Rebounds: 37 // 31; Assists: 18 // 8; Turnovers: 11 // 13.

Quotes:
Andrea Trinchieri, Head Coach Munich: "The defense was the key to our game. It was a game with two very dominant defenses, both teams played very physically and with a deep rotation. This allows you to be very fresh on defense all the time. On the other hand, you are never in an offensive rhythm. You need a mature team to show such a commitment on defense when things aren't going well on offense. That's why I'm very happy for my players, it's a great win against a tough opponent. Our guards were very resistant against Jordan Loyd, who is a hell of a player and the best EuroLeague scorer. Our guards did an incredible job and the big men finished the job. Because when we win the rebounding duel, we always have a good game".

Paul Zipser: "It's incredible what we managed defensively today, we only allowed 59 points. Due to important stops in the last quarter you play with even more self-confidence. We made a step forward again today and now we have to repeat that on Sunday in the BBL. The German Championship is the priority. But of course we are super happy today, enjoy it for a few hours and start thinking about Vechta tomorrow."

Wade Baldwin: "This is a super win for us, which is extremely important for us especially at home. We won against a very strong team, but also as a team - we defended and rebounded very well. Jalen was a monster at therim and helped us tremendously."

Game Recap:
Wade Baldwin, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, first-time FCBB youngster Sasha Grant and Malcolm Thomas were the starters for head coach Trinchieri. Rookie, Grant immediately justified his membership in the starting line-up with his first EuroLeague points, a cool triple for a 6-2 lead (3rd). Red Star turned the tide with two threes from Langston Hall but Grant was bursting with confidence and hit his second three-pointer to take a 12-10 lead. The energy was strong on the defensive side again and allowed only 14 points in the first quarter while scoring 18.

The defense of the Munich team slackened a little and the guests took a lead with a 7-0 run. There was no flow of play in this phase of the game, as the opponents were also playing stiff defense and Belgrade held a slim lead at 27-26. Roter Stern started to play more aggressively but Munich fought back with a 7-0 run in the last two minutes before the change of sides  to take a 33-31 lead.

Bayern came out of the locker room with a lot of steam and attacked so hard on both sides of the ball, former Berliner Sasa Obradovic, was forced to take an early time-out in view of the 37-31 lead for Bayern. Belgrade countered with an 8-0 run and it was Trinchieri's turn for a time-out. The Belgrade defense got hot again and this led to a small lead for the visitors (46-42/27.). Good defenseled to quick attacks again for Bayern and an 8-0 run brought the lead back, 50-46. A three from Baldwin secured the 55-51 lead after the third quarter.

There was still little flow of play to start the last ten minutes of play but Zan Mark Sisko scored the first basket of the final quarter after just under three minutes - a three to extend the lead to 58-51. Except for another three-pointer by Nick Weiler-Babb, the FCBB were not successful on offense and Belgrade snuck to within two (61-59/37). Reynolds fought his way through the zone to the basket and scored an important goal to make it 63-59 (37th). In crunch time Bayern played with brains, kept their cool and worked on taking good shots. Weiler-Babb and Vladimir Lucic both scored big from distance to take a 68-59  lead (90 seconds left). Reynolds and Weiler-Babb gathered in important rebounds and the game was decided.

TO THE SCHEDULE

Photo Credit: Eirich, Gamel, Rauchensteiner