RASTA Vechta used a strong defensive performance in opening their easyCredit BBL season with an 86-76 victory at home over MLP Academics Heidelberg. Vechta gave up just 11 third quarter points and broke the game open with a 26-6 run spanning the final two quarters. Alonzo Verge scored 22 points and Tommy Kuhse had 16 points for Vechta, who registered their second win in two games after beating Giessen 46ers on the road in the German Cup. Michael Weathers paced Heidelberg with 21 points and 9 assists.
Game Summary: The game was close throughout the first quarter with five points being the biggest lead as Heidelberg were ahead 13-8. The hosts went up 19-18 and were leading 22-21 after 10 minutes. Heidelberg’s defense held Vechta to just 2 points in nearly the first 5 minutes of the second quarter but could only open a 28-24 lead. Vechta evened the game 28-28 only to see Heidelberg three times push the cushion to six points and the guests went into the break ahead 39-36.
Heidelberg still were ahead early in the second half 44-39. But Vechta’s defense shut down the guests with just one basket in a 7:11-minute stretch as Vechta used a 21-6 run to pull ahead 60-50 after three quarters. The cushion swelled to 65-50 to start the final stanza and Vechta were still up 69-54 with 6 minutes to play. Heidelberg kept the hosts scoreless for 2 minutes and trimmed the gap to 69-61 only to see Tevin Brown drain a triple and Tommy Kuhse knocked down two three-pointers in the final 58 seconds to ice the game.
Numbers Please: Vechta held Heidelberg to just 43 percent shooting for the game including 24 percent from long range. The guests could not take advantage of a 13-5 advantage in second chance points as they committed 18 turnovers.
Player of the Game: Tommy Kuhse put the game away with the two big three-pointers in the final minute but Alonzo Verge was big the whole game. He made just 6 of 16 shots but he drew 12 fouls and converted 10 of 15 free throws for a team-high 22 points. Verge also grabbed 4 rebounds and dished out 7 assists to go with 1 steal and 1 block.
The Germans: Lars Thiemann scored 6 points while Joshka Ferner and Philipp Herkenhoff both chipped in 3 points in the win. Marcel Keßen tallied 11 points and 3 rebounds and Mateo Seric picked up 5 points for Heidelberg.
Twins stand out in loss: The twins Michael and Marcus Weathers will be a topic all season. The returning Michael shined as usual with 21 points, 3 rebounds and 9 assists. His brother Marcus, who played in Poland last season, collected 8 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in the game.
What's Up Next: Vechta will head on the road for their next game, a FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers return game at BC Balkan on Wednesday October 1. They will remain at home in the league and host SYNTAINICS MBC on Saturday October 4. Heidelberg will have their home opener as they welcome Science City Jena on Thursday October 2.
Video: Highlights of this game will be available soon on Dyn's website or here on Dyn's YouTube channel.
Anmerkung: In der Saison 2025/26 werden wie hier auch gelegentlich Nachberichte in englischer Sprache verfasst.
Note: During the 2025-26 season, there will occasionally be game reports published in English.
