FC Bayern's basketball team narrowly missed out on a big surprise at title contender ZSKA Moscow: Head coach Andrea Trinchieri's team lost 77-74 after an overall convincing performance in front of 3,350 spectators. Their record is now 5-7.
After a strong first half, the Munich team led by top scorer Darrun Hilliard (28) had a 73-70 lead in the dramatic final minute before ZSKA's offensive quality in the person of Will Clyburn decided the game.
The guest surprised the favorite for a long time with smart defense and led clearly 36-27 after 17 good minutes. Both teams scored from the outside - especially Hilliard at his ex-club (18 points before halftime).
After the break, Bayern increased the lead to 45-32, but Rubit and Hilliard received early third fouls (23rd). Moscow, on the other hand, was allowed to play more aggressively, received free throws and were ahead again 53-51 (29). But FCBB held on and led 74-73 with 29 seconds to go - but a final three-pointer to win the game did not fall.
On the positive side, playmaker Sisko was back in the squad for the first time in five weeks, so only Radosevic and Zipser are still missing.
The Munich team will have a weekend off, after which preparations will begin for the EuroLeague home game at the Audi Dome against French champion Villeurbanne (Thursday, 19:30). The BBL continues the following Saturday (Dec. 2, at MBC) and Monday (Dec. 8, 19:00., against Heidelberg).
ZSKA Moskau - FC Bayern Basketball 77:74 (32:41)
Top scorer ZSKA Moskau:
Will Clyburn (17 Points)
FCBB:
Darrun Hilliard (28 Points/6 Threes/5 Rebounds), Deshaun Thomas (17/4 Dreier), Augustine Rubit (9/5 Rebounds), Vladimir Lucic (6/5 Rebounds), Othello Hunter (5/6 Rebounds), Ognjen Jaramaz (4), Corey Walden (3), Nick Weiler-Babb (2/5 Rebounds/5 Assists), Nihad Djedovic, Andreas Obst, Gavin Schilling und Zan Mark Sisko.
Referee
Sasa Pukl, Carlos Peruga, Saulius Racys
Attendance
3,352
Points per quarter Bayern - Moscow: 24-18, 17-14, 16-24, 17-21.
Stats: Two-point shooting: 36% (FCBB) // 44% (ZSKA); Three-point shooting: 42% // 44%; Free-throw shooting: 81% // 85%; Rebounds: 34 // 35; Assists: 12 // 13; Turnovers: 12 // 11.
Game Recap:
Trinchieri initially relied on Darrun Hilliard, Nick Weiler-Babb, Vladimir Lucic, Deshaun Thomas and Augustine Rubit against the quality-laden Final Four contender ZSKA. Bayern needed a two-minute run-up before grabbing the lead with a 7-0 run thanks to solid defense (7-3/4th minute of play). Hilliard convinced at his former place of work with his second three-pointer for a 15-11 lead (7). The FCBB owed their good performance in the first quarter to their accuracy but with a few additional rebounds more would have been possible. Thomas sank a three-pointer as siren sounded at the end of the opening quarter to make it 24-18.
The Russians' height was not matched by the Munich defense, which allowed the hosts to create second chances and score again and again. Bayern remained without a bucket for more than three minutes, and it was high time for Hilliard's next three-pointer (27-23/14). Hilliard turned out to be the player with the hottest hand: Already in the second quarter he had hit his fourth three-pointer (34-27/16). Alexey Shved, who came to ZSKA from the Khimki bankruptcy before the season, kept his team in the game (37-31/19). Rubit answered with four strong points and secured a surprisingly clear 41-32 lead for the FCBB at halftime.
Lucic is needed and delivers
A Thomas three-pointer after 20 seconds meant the first double-digit lead for Bayern and the smaller-than-normal crowd was amazed (44-32/21). Moscow was faltering, but the Munich team was now picking up too many fouls - Hilliard had to go to the bench after his third.
The momentum tipped and ZSKA forced Trinchieri to call timeout with an 8-0 run (45-40/24). Two free throws by Lucic relieved the pressure, but the former Army Sports Club now played with much more energy and was brought in by ex-Bamberger Daniel Hackett (47-44/25.). Johannes Voigtmann also turned up the heat and the lead change was in the air (49-48/27). The tough defense of the Russians was effective and led to Munich turnovers and the lead was gone (53-51/28). Lucic was needed, and Lucic delivered - he tirelessly scrambled to the basket and secured the razor-thin 57-56 lead for the FCBB after quarter three with four perfect free throws.
Clyburn nearly unstoppable with 17 points in second half
Threes are an effective way to get back on track and for this answer Hilliard and Thomas were on the spot (63-58/33). Shengelia and Shved scored, but the incredibly hot Hilliard answered with a three-pointer to make it 67-63 (35). Like two staggering boxers, the opponents wrestled for the lead but the FCBB missed too many chances right under the basket, 67-67 just before crunch time. Thomas took a 69-67 lead for Bayern, time-out ZSKA. After winning the ball Hilliard missed the basket and in return Clyburn made a three-pointer (70-69/ 103 seconds left). Thomas then sank both free throws after a foul (71-70 Bayern lead/ 89 seconds left). Moscow lost the ball and Hunter was on the spot for the tip-in (73-70/65 seconds left). Ex-Ulmer Clyburn calmly knocked in a three-pointer (73-73/ 53 seconds left). Hilliard then missed a free throw and Clyburn succeeded in a quick finish to make it 75-74 Moscow. Bayern moved the ball smartly and Vladimir Lucic had an open three-pointer but missed one that he would have normally sunk. Bayern loss.
(c) Serbin & Stickel