BBL: Baskets beat German champions

Bamberg Baskets defeated the German champions FC Bayern Munich by 69:68 and so showed a strong reaction to the weak previous weeks. The home side produced a defensive effort in front of 4,577 spectators in the Brose Arena and reduced the gap to the play-in places with its second win in a row.

The encounter was evenly poised from the outset. Bamberg fought its way back after a spell without points, spurred on by Brandon Horvath, who caught the eye with a three and strong defensive actions. Filip Stanic capitalized on a steal to score easy points, while the agile Ibrahim Watson livened up the offense with his shots from mid-range. The visitors went in at the break 36:37 ahead. Munich briefly pulled 41:47 ahead after the break, but Kyle Lofton and Watson reduced the deficit again. Kevin Wohlrath drained a three to tie the scores at 53:53 after the third quarter to the delight of the entire arena. The final quarter turned into a defensive battle for both teams - the ball hardly made it into the basket for four minutes. Ibrahim Watson untied the knot with a three to make it 59:54, but Munich struck back and the former Bamberg player Andi Obst drained a three to make it 66:68 for the visitors shortly before the end. Top scorer Ibrahim Watson took responsibility in the final seconds of the game and put Bamberg 69:68 in front with another three. When Munich's Weiler-Babb was unable to drain his last shot, the jubilation in the arena knew no bounds.

Bamberg now has to travel to its neighbours in the table, Telekom Baskets Bonn, on Saturday, 15 March 2025. Tip-off is at 6.30 p.m.