The FC Bayern basketball team suffered its first defeat in the BBL after a long week of four games in seven days: Head coach Andrea Trinchieri's team lost 100-95 in a tough road game in Oldenburg despite a hard-fought performance. For the Munich team, which again had to play without Vladimir Lucic, it was the first loss in seven games. The worn out Bayern squad fell behind big and couldn't quite makeup for it. After a hectic final quarter with numerous debated decisions, the team made it close again with an 11-0 run to get it within one. But the rested Oldenburg team shot better from distance in the end and also brought in important rebounds. Wade Baldwin was Bayern's top scorer with 25 points.

The pre-Christmas marathon takes Bayern to Lithuania, where they play Zalgiris Kaunas in the EuroLeague on the day before Christmas Eve (19:00). The day after Christmas (December 27, 20:30), Bamberg comes to the Audi Dome for another BBL rivalry game.

 

Points per quarter Bayern - Oldenburg: 21-29, 29-26, 18-21, 27-24.

Stats: Two-point shooting: 67% (FCBB) // 62% (Oldenburg); Three-point shooting: 35% // 37%; Free-throw shooting: 85% // 83%; Rebounds: 30 // 29; Assists: 17 // 14; Rebounds: 11 // 9.

Quotes:
Andrea Trinchieri: "Congratulations to Oldenburg. I expected such a game. They played very well and hit a lot of tough shots. They were better and of course also benefited from the fact that we were a bit tired. But we fought and stayed in the game. Oldenburg is a very good team, a good organization with a good coach. Bayern plays in the EuroLeague and I really expect everyone to be on the level of this game. Oldenburg was on that level, we tried to counter it - but the three referees? I understand that we have problems with the Corona situation. But I also expect that there is someone ready to referee such a game and also to understand what kind of game it will be. I'm extremely disappointed in how they laid out the physical contact in some key moments of the game. I want Paulding, Reynolds or someone else to decide the momentum of the game and not the referees. They were completely unaware of the situation on the court. That doesn't change anything about the great game of Oldenburg - again, congratulations from the bottom of my heart. But: It was the 'game of the week' of two very good teams and you need everyone on the appropriate level for that, the players, the coaches, the staffs and also the referees. However, it's obvious that wasn't the case."                           

Paul Zipser: "It's hard to put into words what I feel right now. We had little energy at the beginning because this is a tough time for us. Against a super team like Oldenburg, we fought extremely well, but some whistles made it additionally difficult for us. I am very proud of our team and how we came back. Unfortunately, we weren't rewarded for it today."

The game:
Trinchieri had Wade Baldwin, Nihad Djedovic, Sasha Grant, JaJuan Johnson and Leon Radosevic start. Munich started with pressure and led 4:0 (2nd) through Djedovic points, but the rested hosts around Rickey Paulding used their home advantage and turned the tide with a 7:0 run (6:10/5th). Paul Zipser took responsibility and earned a difficult three-pointer, which he converted confidently to make it 14:17 (8.). However, the Lower Saxons looked more determined and convinced with a good scoring rate: a three-pointer by Oldenburg's Schwethelm increased the deficit to ten points (16:26/9th). Zipser kept the Bavarians in the game with eight points - 21:29 after quarter one.

Schwethelm wanted to know and scored worryingly well in free position - the FCBB's deficit remained in double digits (26:36/12.). Solid offensive actions brought the Munich team a little closer, Robin Amaize sank a three-pointer to make it 35:38 (14.). As the game progressed, captain Djedovic took command and scored five points to cut the gap to 40:41 (15th). Coach Trinchieri was annoyed about his team's commitment in defense in view of the Baskets' considerable scoring output, and a timeout was to have a corrective effect (42:48/17th). Munich's holes in the defense didn't get any smaller, however, leaving the guests with a 50:55 deficit at the turn of the page.

Without Trinchieri, Munich fight their way to within a point
Baldwin worked to improve one of his few weak points: He converted his second three-pointer to equalize the score at 55:55. However, the first-place team's claim to the lead did not translate into action as the EWE Baskets were almost unstoppable offensively - led by 38-year-old Rickey Paulding with two three-pointers (64:71/27th). Not only defensively, but now also in the offensive actions, the fatigue was clearly noticeable to the Munich players, so the renewed double-digit deficit was not surprising (68:78/29.). A Baldwin basket cut the deficit to 68:76 after the third quarter.

The Bavarians tried with the courage of desperation to scrape together the last reserves and mobilize forces - but lost the ball too often. The Oldenburgers, on the other hand, seized the opportunity and played as if they had been inspired: The good acquaintance Braydon Hobbs was successful with a three-pointer (70:82/32nd). After the Trinchieri timeout, the Bavarians ignited the turbo and were within 75:82 with five quick points within one minute (33.). However, controversial whistles massively annoyed Trinchieri and led to his second technical foul (75:87/34th). Assistant Adriano Vertemati went to the line. The exclusion of their head coach had a good side, however, because it now really tickled the emotions of the Munich team, made them more aggressive and focused. A furious 11-0 run - led by a Baldwin bursting with determination - brought them to within 86-87 (36th). Oldenburg again held their own and were especially successful near the basket (90:94/38.). Baldwin shortened the gap to 92:94 - but a four-point play by Paulding hurt the Bavarians (92:98/39th). The Oldenburgers now managed circus throws - the first defeat of the season could no longer be prevented.

TO THE GAME PLAN

Photo credit: Duda

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)