Basketball: Bamberg Baskets celebrate first win under Head Coach Woltmann

Bamberg, February 13, 2024 The first win under new Head Coach Arne Woltmann has been secured! Bamberg Baskets defeated Bundesliga bottom-of-the-table MLP Academic Heidelberg 98:83 in the Brose Arena on home court and so regained a little self-confidence for the cup semi-final next weekend after a turbulent few days with an ignominious defeat in Würzburg and the departure of Head Coach Amiel.

However, Bamberg got off to an unsettled start to the game. Bamberg made miscommunications, misplaced passes and even missed dunks in the first twelve minutes. Heidelberg, who has won all three of its games on the road so far, pulled 17:28 ahead. However, since Heidelberg did not manage much more in offense apart from top scorer Carroll with 28 points, Bamberg tied the scores at 45:45 thanks to individual actions such as Trey Woodbury's emergency three. Bamberg only got into the game after the break with intensive defending and fast play in offense: Playmaker Malik Johnson in particular, with 21 points, literally exploded. After scoring just four points before the break, the American drained a three and a lay-up in the third quarter, made four free throws and assisted twice. Bamberg took the third quarter by 32:12 and even pulled 94:71 ahead in the final period thanks to a number of remarkable slam-dunks by Adrian Nelson. Although Heidelberg reduced the deficit until the end, Bamberg's victory was unchallenged.

Bamberg Baskets' Head Coach Arne Woltmann commented: "The first half wasn't particularly pretty. We conceded too many shots without good defense. That wasn't particularly good in defense. Then Malick Johnson really shaped the game in the second half and that was great."

Bamberg Baskets go into the semi-final of the BBL Cup in Munich's BMW Arena on Saturday, February 17, 2024, starting at 2 p.m. as the clear underdog and without pressure against the reigning cup winners FC Bayern Munich. If the Woltmann boys surprise with a win, they will be in the cup final on Sunday at 2 p.m.