The Bayern basketball team win their tenth game of the BBL season. At the first game in front of 10,454 fans in Mannheim's SAP Arena, the FCBB took the win against Heidelberg thanks to a good final spurt to 87-83. Top scorers were Bonga (21 points), Walden (17) and Rubit (15).

Once again, Bayern was not even close to being a full squad. In addition to Lucic and Obst, Giffey and head coach Trinchieri were absent at short notice due to a fever. It is uncertain whether both will be available for the EuroLeague game at Partizan Belgrade (Thurs., 20:30.).

9-0-Start in the fourth quarter

Against the Heidelberg Academics, the defense was inconsistent for a chunk of the game  and gave up 51 points at the break. After the start of the second half there was little success at the basket and a 10-0 run brought the highest deficit (66-61/28th). The last quarter opened for Bayern well with a 9-0 run to make it 76-69. The FCBB's commitment to winning was evidenced by 20 offensive rebounds and seven steals.

Score per quarter Bayern - Heidelberg: 23-25, 27-26, 17-18, 20-14.

Stats: Two-point shooting: 48 % (FCBB) // 46 % (Heidelberg); Three-point shooting: 30 % // 37%; Free-throw shooting: 91 % // 85 %; Rebounds: 45 // 35; Assists: 17 // 13; Turnovers:  8 // 11

Quotes:

FCBB Assistant coach,Adriano Vertemati: "It was a very nice atmosphere here, in a great hall and in a game that was fun to watch for the fans. But the first half was a nightmare for us, Heidelberg hit tough shots, they moved the ball very well and attacked hard in the first eight seconds. We tried to switch after the pick-and-roll, but every one of them scored. In the second half, we managed to change that defense, with Gillespie being a factor because he changed our defense. They didn't find the same rhythm they had in the first half; Washington had 15 points in the first and then only three in the second. In my opinion, we were good in the second half, so I congratulate my players but also Heidelberg, because they play very good basketball."

Isaac Bonga: "It was a good game - respect for the Heidelberg team, who played well for 40 minutes. But we kept control, that was the difference. We had the advantage of size and strength with our offensive rebounding. Today that helped us win, because that was the point that decided the game. For me personally and for us as a team, being aggressive on defense is our specialty. That's how we started the game. Obviously, we know that Eric Washington is the top scorer in the league. That's always hard to stop a player with his class for 40 minutes, but in the end we did it as a team and got the win. It will be a tough game in Belgrade, just like any in the EuroLeague. Today we'll rest and look at the video to see what we can do better, and then we'll get right back to it."                

Game recap:

Trinchieri's assistant Vertemati started Nick Weiler-Babb, Isaac Bonga, Corey Walden, Niklas Wimberg and Freddie Gillespie in the impressive arena against the thirteenth-placed team in the BBL. Bayern worked well on the offensive boards and converted their second chances - Bonga twice to make it 4-0 (2nd minute of the game). The Heidelberger team were of course particularly motivated in front of their full house and stayed even at 12-12 after five minutes. Bayern defended tightly up the court and Jaramaz stole the ball and scored, 18-15 (7th). Zipser came on the court in his home town and immediately sank his first shot, a three-pointer to make it 21-16 (8th). During the last two minutes of the opening quarter, however, Munich conceded a 9-2 run by the hosts, who led 25-23 after ten minutes.

Both teams with three-point shooting above 50 percent

Heidelberg converted almost every three-point attempt to start the second quarter and were at 60% shooting by the middle of the quarter. Munich countered with speed and a good choice of shots and Walden hit his second three-pointer within 70 seconds to make it 38-37 (14th). The FCBB made life unnecessarily difficult for itself by turning the ball over a few times and Heidelberg led (43-41/18th). Heidelberg became increasingly self-confident due to their excellent shooting and took the lead, but the Munich team didn't let itself get too rattled and equalized without too much trouble. At the end of the second quarter the guests were trailing by a razor-thin margin of 51-50.

Heidelbergs 10-0 run

The Munich team had numerous chances to take the lead but they left a lot to be desired.   The FCBB finally started to put more energy in their play both defensively and in a fast-paced offense. Walden attacked the basket and could only be stopped with fouls - four free throws made it 58-55/25th. Suddenly, Munich had trouble securing the defensive board and Heidelberg forced Vertemati to call timeout with an 8-0 run (64-61/28th). Rubit stopped the home team's 10-0 run with two converted free throws but Bayern was still down three (66-63/29th). Gillespie grabbed an offensive rebound and emphatically hammered the ball into the basket. After 30 minutes, Bayern was on the heels of the hosts, 69-67.

Bayern with a 9-0 run and nerves of steel

Bonga's third three-pointer rang in the final quarter and a brilliant 9-0 run forced Heidelberg to call a timeout (76-69/33rd). The size and athleticism of Rubit and Gillespie mixed up Heidelberg's defense and Bayern kept a seven-point lead. Driven by the powerful and vocal crowd, Heidelberg came back (78-76/35th) but shortly after Bonga convinced with a strong basket of his own. (80-76/36th). The Munich defense was playing at a high level and prevented Heidelberg from scoring, while Corey Walden's three-pointer from a good eight meters out put the exclamation mark on the lead 85-76 (38th). The game was far from over, however, and Heidelberg's Tim Coleman forced the FCBB into a timeout with five points in a row (85-81/just under two minutes left). Nobody in the hall was still in their seats and the noise was intense but Walden forced a turnover but then missed a three-pointer. The Munich defense did its job but again Coleman put the ball in the Bayern basket (85-83/ eight seconds left). Walden was fouled, hit both free throws and took a four-point lead, 87-83 with seven seconds left. The hosts' three-point attempt missed the basket and Bayern took the win.

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