Basketball: BBC Bayreuth ends losing streak

BBC Bayreuth has halted its latest losing streak in the BARMER 2nd German Basketball League Pro A: The BBC defeated ART Giants Düsseldorf by 76:71 this evening.

After three defeats in a row, the BBC started the encounter between eleventh and 14th in the Pro A table with Lenny Liedtke, Selim Fofana, Philip Jalalpoor, Aaron Carver and Shane Gatling. Bayreuth's top scorer Esa Ahmad was unable to play due to injury, as were Moritz Plescher and Marios Giotis. Besnik Bekteshi, who was subsequently signed, made his debut in a BBC jersey against Düsseldorf.

Bayreuth got off to a focused start with a 12:6 lead. Philip Jalalpoor then stretched the gap to 15:6 with a three, after which the visitors fought their way back to 10:15 before Shane Gatling drained two free throws to give Bayreuth a 17:10 lead. Aaron Carver made it 20:10 and so stretched the lead to double digits. The BBC's energy was strong and the team put in a completely different performance than in the previous spell. Besnik Bekteshi scored his first points for Bayreuth with a three to make it 23:12.

Bayreuth extended its lead to 32:23. Aaron Carver had already scored eleven points by this point. Midway through the quarter, the game was characterized by a lot of lack of concentration, turnovers and missed shots on both sides. Shane Gatling put the BBC back in front by double digits with a three to make it 35:24 after just over 16 minutes. However, the visitors were not able to shake off the deficit and Düsseldorf closed the gap to 31:35. The BBC went in at half-time with a 38:33 lead in front of 2,231 spectators.

A thunderous slam-dunk by Selim Fofana to make it 48:38 for Bayreuth was the first highlight in terms of play in the third period. However, Düsseldorf then closed the gap to 44:49 and so remained within striking distance. Bayreuth tried to win the game with threes, but they missed the mark too often. A three by Daniel Norl cut the gap to 47:49 and a three by Philip Jalalpoor to make it 53:47 for Bayreuth gave the home side a small cushion again. The BBC went into the final quarter with a 61:54 lead.

Nevertheless, Düsseldorf closed the gap to 58:61. Jahii Carson cut the deficit to 60:61 with two free throws and Alexander Möller then put the visitors 62:61 in front.

The score was 63:63 with five minutes remaining, but Shane Gatling then took heart with a spectacular slam-dunk and another bucket to put Bayreuth 67:63 in front again. Shane Gatling now put his stamp on the game and put Bayreuth 71:66 in front. With 72 seconds remaining, the home side made it 73:70. The visitors closed the gap to 71:73 with a free throw, then Philip Jalalpoor drained a three and Aaron Carver added another to make it 75:71 for Bayreuth with seven seconds remaining. Marquill Smith then drained a three for Düsseldorf. Philip Jalalpoor converted the resulting free throw to make it 76:71 for the BBC. The win means Bayreuth now has an even record of ten wins and ten defeats after 20 games and so remains in eighth place in the table, which would qualify it for the playoffs.

Next Wednesday, February 7, Bayreuth will continue the main round at home against Medipolis SC Jena. Tip-off is at 7 pm.