Crailsheim
Bamberg Baskets celebrate thunderous win

Bamberg has rarely been so superior in the Arena Hohenlohe in recent years: Woltmann's players swept Crailsheim Merlins out of their own arena by 109:82, Bamberg's first victory there in five-and-a-half years. The visitors showed the home side the limits right from the first quarter with a 10:0 run to make it 23:9.
That was one of Bamberg's best games of the season in offense: The Woltmann team ran like clockwork in all quarters and Bamberg proved to be accurate, varied and too fast for Crailsheim. Justin Gray in particular produced a perfect performance: After recovering from his hand injury, the American turned on the heat in Crailsheim to such an extent that he surpassed his previous scoring record in the German league as early as the 14th minute. Gray accounted for 18 of Bamberg's 54 points up to half-time and was Bamberg's top scorer with 21 points. Crailsheim also had no defensive answer to the many threes by Zach Copeland, who drained four of his five buckets from beyond the arc in the second half. Bamberg's lead grew steadily, enabling the visitors to notch up one of their highest wins of the season by 109:82. In addition to Gray and Copeland, the strong Filip Stanic with 17 points, Adrian Nelson and Trey Woodbury (15 and 12 points respectively) also scored in double figures.
Arne Woltmann (Head Coach Bamberg Baskets) commented: "We put in a good performance and showed a lot of energy at the start of the game. Supported by a good shooting percentage, we were able to build an early lead. Nevertheless, I warned my team to keep up that intensity. I think we played this game consistently from start to finish."
Bamberg faces perhaps its last home game of the season on Thursday, May 9, 2024. Bamberg can only hope to make the play-in games if it beats Rasta Vechta (tip-off: 3:30 p.m.). Two away games would await Bamberg there.