EWE Baskets Oldenburg wasted a 15-point lead but survived a defensive battle against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg 70-64 to snap a three-game losing streak. Oldenburg allowed just 2 points in the final 170 seconds to improve to 6-8 including 6-1 at the EWE Arena. Justin Jaworski led the way with 23 points and Seth Hinrichs added 12 points. Ludwigsburg dropped to 8-7 despite Ezra Manjon scoring 18 points and leading the comback.
Game Summary: Oldenburg opened the scoring on the first shot but then missed their next 11 attempts and committed three turnovers over the next 5 minutes while Ludwigsburg scored the next 10 points for a 10-2 lead. Oldenburg three times were able to get back within three points but trailed 17-12 after 10 minutes. Ludwigsburg pushed the cushion to six points before Oldenburg went on a 9-0 run over 3 minutes to reclaim the lead 23-20. Ludwigsburg managed only 5 points in the first 7 minutes of the second quarter and the hosts extended the advantage to 30-24. And Oldenburg led 31-26 at the break.
Justin Jaworski hit Oldenburg’s first seven points of the second half as the lead grew to double figures for the first time at 38-28. Ludwigsburg temporarily trimmed the deficit to 40-34 but Oldenburg put together a 9-0 run over more than 3 minutes to lead 49-34. Ludwigsburg hit three three-pointers down the stretch to trail 55-45 after 30 minutes. The momentum continued with Erza Manjon hitting two triples in an 11-0 run to start the fourth quarter and take the lead 56-55. Oldenburg needed 4 minutes before finally scoring in the final frame and went up 59-56. After four lead changes, Jaworski drained a triple to make it 66-62 and Ludwigsburg failed to score for 2:31 minutes down the stretch to miss out on the comeback win.
Numbers Please: This game featured some really ugly numbers - Oldenburg hitting 34 percent from the field and 17 percent on three-pointers and still winning. Ludwigsburg were not much better at 36 percent and 19 percent, respectively. The biggest difference maker came at the free throw line. Oldenburg made 21 of 31 foul shots for a poor 68 percent while Ludwigsburg - the second-worst free throw shooting team in the league - connected on just 3 of 13 free throws ... in a six-point loss.
Player of the Game: Justin Jaworski did a great job in scoring for Oldenburg in the defensive battle with 23 points including 4 three-pointers. He also chipped in 2 rebounds and 1 assist.
The Germans: Norris Agbakoko came up big in the fourth quarter as the Oldenburg big man scored 6 of his 9 points in the final 6 minutes and also picked up 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. Len Schoormann added 4 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in the win. At the other end, Jacob Patrick connected on 3 three-pointers in scoring a season-high 14 points to go with 5 rebounds. And Yorman Polas Bartolo collected 13 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals.
Also Newsworthy Part 1: Oldenburg out-Ludwigsburged Ludwigsburg as they forced the guests into 15 turnovers. Ludwigsburg came into the game having committed the fewest miscues in the league at just 10.8 per contest.
Also Newsworthy Part 2: Ezra Manjon came into the game having averaged 13.4 points but Oldenburg bottled up the Ludwigsburg guard to just 2 points in the first 29:23 minutes. Manjon spearheaded the Ludwigsburg comeback with 16 points the rest of the way but it was not enough.
Welcome back home: It had been quite some time since Oldenburg played in front of their home fans at the the EWE Arena. Mladen Drijencic's team last played at home on December 15 - the club's last victory, a 111-94 win over BG Göttingen. And it was Oldenburg's 35th consecutive sell-out in the easyCredit BBL.
What's Up Next: Oldenburg will stay at home for their next game as they host FIT/One Würzburg Baskets on Saturday January 11. Ludwigsburg for their part have a FIBA Europe Cup Second Round game at Spirou Basket on Thursday January 9 before returning home for their next Bundesliga game, welcoming Bamberg Baskets on Sunday January 12.
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.
