This week in the easyCredit BBL saw the final undefeated team go down with MHP RIESEN Ludwigburg beating SYNTAINICS MBC. Marcus Carr meanwhile was a star in Fitness First Würzburg Baskets’ win and VET-CONCEPT Gladiators returned to the winning column.
In this section, we break out our English language skills and inform you about the latest news from the German easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga. If you’re short on time but still want your fill of Germany’s top basketball league then you are in the right place. Every week David Hein (Taking The Charge) brings you up-to-date in German basketball – the easyCredit BBL short and sweet:
Ludwigsburg hand Wolves their first loss
The final undefeated team in the league has suffered their first loss as SYNTAINICS MBC fell at home 93-82 to MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg. After Ludwigsburg built a 19-point lead in the second quarter, Wolves were able to cut the gap to four points. But they wouldn’t get closer the rest of the way as Ludwigsburg moved to 3-2 and Weißenfels fell to 5-1. Traveon Buchanan poured in 32 points for Ludwigsburg while Charles Collinson scored 16 points with 6 assists as six Wolves players hit double figures.
Carr carries Würzburg to thrilling double OT win over Jena, snaps skid
Fitness First Würzburg Baskets returned to their winning ways thanks to a masterful showing from Marcus Carr in a thrilling 97-92 double-overtime home victory over Science City Jena. Jena jumped to a nine-point lead in the first quarter and it was back and forth until Würzburg had a nine point advantage of their own in the third quarter. Carr scored with 22 seconds left to force overtime and then drained a three-pointer with 5 seconds remaining to send the game into the second extra session. The hosts took the lead - the 15th lead change, along with 11 ties in the game - and never gave it up for the win. After having lost their last three games in all competitions, Würzburg improved to 5-1 and 3-0 at home while Jena fell to 2-3. Carr, who had Würzburg’s final 10 points in regulation, finished with 37 points and 5 assists and Davion Mintz added 17 points and 12 rebounds in the win. Tavian Dunn-Martin scored 20 points and Keith Braxton picked up 15 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.
Trier get back to winning ways with 12-0 final spurt in showdown of Helds
VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier got back to their winning ways as the promoted side finished the game strong for a 96-87 home victory over RASTA Vechta in a family showdown. The game went back and forth throughout and the guests led 87-84 before Trier finished the game with the final 12 points. Trier have not lost at home and are 5-1 while Vechta fell to 2-3. Vechta’s head coach is Christian Held while his father Ralph Held is the sports boss at Trier. Jordan Roland hit 6 three-pointers in scoring 26 points while Eli Brooks added 18 points and both Nolan Adekunle and Marten Linßen chipped in 13 points. Alonzo Verge scored 26 points in a losing effort.
XXXXXHIGHLIGHTS TRIER - VECHTA
Road warriors Frankfurt keep Ulm struggles going
SKYLINERS are still undefeated away from home as they beat ratiopharm ulm 75-67 on the road as the home team continues their struggles. Frankfurt trailed in the fourth quarter but took over the game with an 8-0 run to move to 3-3 - including a 3-0 mark on the road. Ulm are also at 3-3 and have lost five straight games in all competitions. Jaedon Le Dee paced Frankfurt with 17 points and 9 rebounds and Will Christmas had 15 points and 8 rebounds. Christopher Ledlum had 18 points and 13 rebounds in the defeat.
Bayern have no problem against Heidelberg
FC Bayern Munich stayed on pace with the league leaders with a comfortable 93-81 home win over MLP Academics Heidelberg. Bayern raced away to a 32-14 lead after 10 minutes and just dominated the rest of the game for a 4-1 record while Heidelberg have fallen to 1-5 after having won their first game last round. Bayern's new aquisition Spencer Dinwiddie had a strong league debut with 18 points and Andi Obst scored 15 points. Osun Osunniyi led Heidelberg with 15 points.
Rostock too strong at home as Oldenburg lose again
ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES proved too strong at home by capturing a 94-77 victory over EWE Baskets Oldenburg, who returned to the loss column after finally winning last week. Rostock nearly wasted a 15-point lead early in the second half but Oldenburg did not get closer than four points before watching the hosts pull away again. Rostock improved to 2-3 with a 2-0 home record and Oldenburg dropped to 1-5. D’Shawn Schwartz led the way with 26 points and 9 rebounds and DeAndre Lansdowne collected 6 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Chris Clemons had 24 points one week after his 52-point outburst for Oldenburg.
Second half run gets Chemnitz past Braunschweig
NINERS Chemnitz had a strong second half to pull away from Basketball Löwen Braunschweig for a 93-75 home victory. Chemnitz blew open the tight game with an 18-2 run spanning the final two quarters. Chemnitz, who dealt out 28 assists, improved to 3-0 at home for a 4-2 record while Braunschweig lost again after winning their first game for a 1-5 mark. Kevin Yebo led Chemnitz with 19 points while Corey Davis had 15 points and 12 assists. Grant Sherfield top-scored for Braunschweig with 18 points and 6 assists.
Berlin down Bonn for back-to-back wins
ALBA BERLIN notched back to back victories in the league by defeating Telekom Baskets Bonn 84-70 on the road. Berlin were leading 25-9 after 10 minutes but the cushion was only one point midway through the third quarter. The guests however never gave up the lead and were never threatened down the stretch. Berlin now are 3-2 after two wins and Bonn fell to 3-3. Sam Griesel had 14 points to lead Berlin and Malte Delow picked up 13 points and 7 rebounds. Alijah Comithier poured in 27 points for Bonn in the loss.
Player(s) of the Week
There is a tie for the top efficiency of Round 6, meaning co-winners of the Player of the Week award. Jordan Roland collected 26 points on 8 of 15 shots, including 6 of 11 three-pointers, and 4 of 4 free throws, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals for an efficiency of 30 in VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier’s win over RASTA Vechta. D’Shawn Schwartz of ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES matched that efficiency as he tallied 26 points on 8 of 14 shots, including 5 of 9 three-pointers and 5 of 7 free throws, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in a win over EWE Baskets Oldenburg.
German Top Five of the Week
G: Zach Ensminger, BMA365 Bamberg Baskets
Ensminger played a big role in Bamberg’s win over Veolia Towers Hamburg with 10 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
G: Andi Obst, FC Bayern Munich
Obst knocked down 3 three-pointers in scoring 15 points for FC Bayern Munich against MLP Academics Heidelberg.
F: Radii Caisin, SKYLINERS
Caisin tallied 10 points, 7 rebounds and 1 steal in Frankfurt’s win over ratiopharm ulm .
F: Kevin Yebo, NINERS Chemnitz
Yebo Chemnitz was a real leader in Chemnitz’s win over Basketball Löwen Braunschweig with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.
C: Marten Linßen, VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier
Linßen did a bit of everything for Trier with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 steals against Basketball Löwen Braunschweig.
Young Guns
Jack Kayil, 19, PG, ALBA BERLIN
Kayil played 20:44 minutes against Telekom Baskets Bonn and scored 9 points on 3 of 6 shooting (1/3 threes) and 2 of 3 free throws, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.
Teo Milicic, 17, PG, ratiopharm ulm
Milicic made his league debut as the German-Polish guard played 4:38 minutes and scored 3 points on 3 of 3 free throws and 0 of 1 on three-pointers and 1 assist against SKYLINERS.
Finn Döntgens, 21, C, BMA365 Bamberg Baskets
Döntgens played 5:39 minutes against Veolia Towers Hamburg and had 8 points on 2 of 2 shots and 4 of 4 free throws and 1 steal.
Germans Abroad
Daniel Theis has had a strong start to the season with AS Monaco with 12.0 points and 6.1 rebounds in 23 minutes over eight games. The center collected a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan.
