With the fifth win in a row, the Bayern Basketball team has further consolidated its third place spot in the BBL.45 hours after the tough EuroLeague fight with Monaco, the Cup winner struggled to start the top game against Ludwigsburg, but prevailed convincingly in the end 89-72. Due to the Oldenburg and Goettingen losing, Bayern is now three games up on the pursuers of the third-place position..
Weiler-Babb hits his threes
The march goes on for Bayerns as on Tuesday they play in Ulm, and on Thursday in Madrid. The next home game is the final EuroLeague appearance for this season on Friday, April 14th, against Kaunas.
Tickets vs. Kaunas
Coach Trinchieri coached in front of 6,117 fans while wearing a "Red Against Racism" hoodie, and his team looked as good as he did. Ludwigsburg played very physically, but a committed FCBB gained control of the game by the end of the second quarter (38-29/19th). Weiler-Babb (19 points) took on a lot of responsibility after the break and hit five of seven threes.
FC Bayern Basketball - MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg 89-72
FCBB:
Nick Weiler-Babb (19 points, 5 threes), Corey Walden (16), Zylan Cheatham (12), Andreas Obst (10), Vladimir Lucic (8), D.J. Seeley (7), Niklas Wimberg (7), Freddie Gillespie (5, 8 Rebounds), Niels Giffey (2), Ognjen Jaramaz (2), Isaac Bonga (1), Paul Zipser (DNP).
Ludwigsburg's top scorer
Jhonathan Dunn (20 Points)
Referee
Robert Lottermoser, Carsten Straube, Tamer Arik
Attendance
6,117
Quotes:
Munich head coach, Andrea Trinchieri: "I am happy. It's not an easy period in the season for us, a lot of games. We played a solid game. It was important. On Friday we had a good game that we couldn't finish the way we wanted. Today we played as a team, offensively and defensively. We deserved to win. (...) It's just a very, very small thing to wear that hoodie in a game that's televised. If everyone can do something small, small gestures to make everyone aware that this problem exists - it won't solve the problem, but it will help. And we need everyone's help to do that."
Nick Weiler-Babb: "Honestly, we were super lax in the first half. In the second half we came out with more energy and tried to do better from what we failed to do in the first half. Winning the second matchup was very important for us, and especially to keep going in the right direction in the Bundesliga and be ready for the rest of the season. Finding enough energy is the last of our worries. We need to recover as best we can and take care of our bodies. That's what we do, that's our job. And we have to enjoy what we're doing."
Ludwigsburg head coach, Josh King: "First of all, congratulations to Bayern. I think it was a very physical game. We were in a good position, only down four before the fourth quarter, but unfortunately we didn't hit enough shots. Bayern did a good job, forced their pace on us, but, as I said, it was a physical game, we had our chances, but late in the game they hit good shots. That's what good teams like Bayern do. Tough game, we have to step up this week."
Game recap:
Andreas Obst, Corey Walden, Vladimir Lucic, Niklas Wimberg and Zylan Cheatham formed FCBB coach Andrea Trinchieri's starting five. Nothing worthwhile happened for 90 seconds before the visitors left Obst free beyond the arc and he made them pay (3-0/2nd minute of play). Apart from that shot Munich first had to get the fatigue out of their legs and adjust their sights as Obst's three remained the only points for several minutes (7-3/5th). After two threes by Walden and Wimberg, however, things looked better (10-9/6th). Trinchieri sent fresh forces on the floor, but Ludwigsburg maintained the narrow lead (13-11/9th). In the last minutes of the first quarter, Munich turned up the heat, much to the delight of the fans, but it was not (yet) enough for the lead - 18-16.
Cheatham gets hot
In the second quarter points were scarce at first. Nevertheless, it was entertaining, because defense can also be a joy to watch. Again it was Obst who broke the spell, his three-pointer making it 22-19 (14th). Cheatham was johnny on-the-spot a moment later with a spectacular put-back dunk that pushed Bayern to a 10-0 run (29-25/16th). The Swabians continued to fight tough but the FCBB now clearly picked up the pace of the game. The quarter went clearly to Munich, 24-16 and they held a six-point lead, 40-34 after 20 minutes.
Weiler-Babb supplies the energy
Weiler-Babb opened the second half with a three-pointer and followed immediately after with another as Bayern pushed the lead to nine (46-37/22nd). Seeley got a good look and his three-pointer took the first double-digit lead (50-40/24th). As experience has shown, you can never write off Ludwigsburg and within a few attacks they were within reach again (52-48/27th). The fans were needed and they delivered - but the spark did not yet ignite the FCBB squad. Once again, Weiler-Babb took charge and drilled a three-pointer, his third of the quarter (56-51/29th). After the third quarter, Munich was up, 58-54.
Team defense wins games
Weiler-Babb was allowed to take a breather, so Walden jumped into the breach and scored four points in a row before Lucic sank a three-pointer right in front of the Ludwigsburg bench. The 7-0 run had the fans on their feet and forced a timeout from Ludwigsburg (64-54/32nd). The Munich defense stepped up a notch and the double-digit lead held, 69-56 (34th). Ludwigsburg got into foul trouble and Walden was happy to hit four free throws in a row (73-63/35th). But the guests remained dangerous as always and were suddenly back to within six points (76-70/37th). Bayern responded with a determined defense and made the outcome clear with an 8-0 run (84-70/ 92 seconds left). The fans had long since risen and celebrated the brilliant 11-2 final spurt.