81-77 - FCBB defies all odds against Oldenburg

Despite various adversities, the Bayern Basketball team has temporarily regained the lead in the BBL standings: In the early BBL top duel with rival Oldenburg, Andrea Trinchieri's hard fighting team won 81-77  in front of 3,200 spectators at the Audi Dome and claimed its eighth victory of the season (8-1).

Without Lucic, Rubit, Walden and Weiler-Babb

In terms of personnel, the Bavarians are in a tough position: Rubit (groin) needs at least another week of rest and rehab and captain Lucic's elbow probably several weeks. In addition, Walden left with injury in the first quarter and Weiler-Babb injured his hip in the second - both remained in the locker room.

The Bavarians now face a difficult weekend with two away games, in the EuroLeague in Vitoria (Friday) and Sunday at the previous first-place Bonn (7-1).

SCHEDULE

Against physical Oldenburg, FCBB showed focused team defense from the jump and pulled away more clearly at the break with Giffey's buzzer-beating three-pointer. The shortened rotation made itself felt after halftime and the offensive rhythm suffered. The outstanding scorer was again Winston (23) while Niklas Wimberg grabbed nine rebounds.

Points per quarter Bayern - Oldernburg: 26-20, 18-11, 18-19, 19-27

Stats: - Two-point shooting: 61 % (FCBB) // 53 % (Oldenburg); Three-point shooting: 23 % // 25 %; Free-throw shooting: 97 % // 71 %; Rebounds: 31 // 33; Assists: 7 // 16; Turnovers: 19 // 16

Quotes:

Andrea Trinchieri: "Congratulations to my players, because it was a tough game, extremely physical and with a lot of contact. In addition, we lost players with injuries during the course, so you have to praise the team even more. We still won against a good opponent - and when a player who hasn't played much and didn't get many opportunities is the MVP, it means a lot for us: Niklas Wimberg is my personal MVP today."

Cassius Winston: "Oldenburg is a good team. They really fight until the end and are unpleasant. They forced turnovers but we fought until the end despite the many personnel absences and got the win - that's all that matters. Now it's time to use the little bit of time before Baskonia, rest a bit, get our heads straight and then compete again."

Marko Pesic, General Manager: "A huge compliment to the team, which despite the incredible workload and despite a difficult situation with many illnesses and injuries again  gives 100 percent and wins tough games. You have to congratulate them for that and hope that they now find some rest before it will be five games in nine days again. What our team has been doing for weeks is terrific."

Oldenburg coach, Pedro Calles: "Congratulations to Bayern for the win. We were able to execute our game plan well, just not in the last two minutes of the second quarter. That put us at a big disadvantage. We fought well, forced the opponent to 19 turnovers and won the rebound duel - that's quite remarkable against such an opponent as Bayern Munich. I'm proud of my guys and we have to continue in the same way."

Game recap:

Ognjen Jaramaz, Isaac Bonga, Andreas Obst, Paul Zipser and Freddie Gillespie were initially sent onto the floor by FCBB head coach Andrea Trinchieri. The FCBB started well as a team and five players scored to lead 11-9 after four minutes of play. Most of the time, the home side was in the lead, but the visitors stayed close. In view of the extremely tight pace of the game, Trinchieri made a lot of substitutions to spread the load over many shoulders. Weiler-Babb's three-point play restored the lead (20-18/8th). Aggressive defense caused stops and Bayern went on a 9-2 run, FCBB was ahead 26-20 after ten minutes. 

Bayern had five team fouls less than three minutes into the second quarter, while the Baskets had none. The guests now exerted more pressure andMunich's offense faltered. A three-pointer by Obst came at just the right time (33-25/14th). Both teams struggled with concentration and strength, probably as a consequence of the cup games two days earlier. Munich did not hit the target at all for more than four minutes while Oldenburg also couldn't push the score (33-28/18th). Winston ended the drought with a drive to make it 35-28 (18th). The most spectacular scene up to the end of the second quarter occurred a few seconds before halftime, when Hunter blocked Oldenburg's Russell on a three-pointer, Giffey grabbed the ball, dribbled forward coolly and sank the three-pointer against the man and at the siren for a 44-31 lead.

Winston hits, "MVP" Wimberg plays well

In the third quarter, nothing went right for the Munich team - the first goal from a rather uninspiring offense came after more than three minutes. The Bavarians slowly but surely found their way back to rhythm as the guests committed a mistake by letting Obst get free for a three-pointer - time-out Pedro Calles (52-40/25th). Oldenburg lurked and was in no way to be written off but Winston kept the lead with two free throws (54-43/26th). Munich was now convincing with a poisonous defense, which forced mistakes from the guests and enabled quick baskets. An 8-0 run by the FCBB increased the lead to 60-43 (28th). Suddenly, however, control was lost, and so was the ball. The lead dropped to only 62-50 after the third quarter.

Obst secures the win at the free-throw line

Trinchieri took a timeout after one minute of the final quarter because nothing was working. Again it took two and a half minutes until the first basket when Hunter scored to make it 64-56 (33rd). Oldenburg came closer point by point and had the momentum in its possession while Munich looked tired (66-63/34th). The Baskets had the upper hand and came close to 68-66 (36th). Winston hit a three-pointer with the courage of despair to make it 71-66 (36th). FCBB fought back with everything it had left in the tank. But three turnovers in a row were naturally used by Oldenburg to keep right in it (75-74/38th). Jaramaz sank two free throws, but 87 seconds before the end he committed an offensive foul (77-74). Oldenburg misses the open shot attempt, rebound Wimberg. After a miss by Jaramaz, the Baskets lost the ball. After a missed shot by Obst, Wimberg again won possession of the ball (15 seconds left). The motto was "Ball to Andi!", and he sank both free throws after the foreseeable foul (79-74/ 13 seconds left). Oldenburg fouled Obst again after the quick three-pointer, both in - game decided.