Telekom Baskets Bonn grabbed an important victory in their fight for the play-ins as they wasted a 14-point lead but knocked off MLP Academics Heidelberg 85-80 at home. Bonn's defense kept Heidelberg scoreless for the final 2:22 minutes to improve to 13-15 after having lost three of their last four games. Sam Griesel paced the winners with 16 points and Thomas Kennedy had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Heidelberg had won five of the last six games but fell to 16-11 and were drawn closer to the nail-biting fight for the play-ins. They wasted 37 combined points from Ryan Mikesell and Michael Weathers.
Game Summary: Heidelberg needed more than 3 minutes to score but were only down 5-0 and tied the game 7-7. Bonn drained two triples and pushed the lead out to 18-11. And Phlandrous Fleming came off the bench for the final five points of the first quarter and a 23-14 Bonn lead. Bonn’s strong game continued with an 8-0 surge to take a 31-17 lead. Heidelberg only had three players score in the first 15 minutes before getting more production and DJ Horne’s triple cut the gap to 39-29. Michael Weathers sparked a 10-0 Heidelberg run to close within 41-39, before Bonn went into the break ahead 47-43.
Heidelberg needed more than 2 minutes to score out of the locker room but were only down 49-43 and evened the game 51-51. The guests finally took their first lead at 57-56 only to see Bonn punch back with a three-pointer. And the home side was leading 65-63 after 30 minutes. Bonn started the final frame with a triple for a 5-point cushion. Heidelberg stayed in the game and reclaimed the lead 73-72 after a Weathers steal and dunk with under 5 minutes left. That was the first of seven consecutive lead changes in 2:24 minutes and Heidelberg led 80-78. But that would be the last time the guests scored. After Thomas Kennedy evened the game, Fleming put Bonn ahead 82-80 with a layup with 29 seconds to go. Sam Griesel and Till Pape both converted a free throw in the final 11 seconds to ice the game.
Numbers Please: Heidelberg grabbed 13 offensive rebounds in taking the battle of the glass 41-34 and turning them into a 20-7 advantage in second chance points.
Player of the Game: Thomas Kennedy was second on the Bonn team in scoring with 14 points but he also grabbed 11 rebounds - three offensive boards - for his eighth double-double of the season. He also chipped in 1 block.
The Germans: Sam Griesel poured in a team-high 16 points - just one off his career high - to go with 3 rebounds and 1 assist for Bonn while Till Pape chipped in 9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals and Jonathan Bähre added 7 points, 6 rebounds and 1 steal. Mateo Seric collected 7 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist in the loss.
Weather(s) shining: Despite the loss, Michael Weathers continues to shine for Heidelberg as he scored 18 points with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. He scored 19 points last week against NINERS Chemnitz and has now totalled at least 13 points in five of his last seven games.
What's Up Next: Bonn’s next game will be on the road against FIT/One Würzburg Baskets on Saturday April 26. Heidelberg, for their part, face a major test next up as they host Basketball Löwen Braunschweig on Saturday April 26.
Video: Highlights of this game will be available soon on Dyn's website or here on Dyn's YouTube channel.
Anmerkung: In der Saison 2024/25 werden wie hier auch gelegentlich Nachberichte in englischer Sprache verfasst.
Note: During the 2024-25 season, there will occasionally be game reports published in English.
