Basketball: BBC loses in Kirchheim with a severely weakened roster

After winning the first period, BBC Bayreuth slumped to a clear 67:87 (30:44) defeat at Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim in the BARMER 2nd German Basketball League Pro A tonight.

The BBC, which was again heavily short of substitutes, started in Kirchheim with Moritz Plescher, Lenny Liedtke, Selim Fofana, Aaron Carver and Shane Gatling. As in the previous game, top scorer Esa Ahmad, team captain Philip Jalalpoor, Marios Giotos and Besnik Bekteshi were missing.

Bayreuth got off to a strong start and quickly went 12:6 in front after two threes by Shane Gatling and further buckets from downtown by Selim Fofana and Aaron Carver. The BBC was 16:12 ahead after just over seven minutes. The visitors held on to their narrow lead and went into the first quarter break 18:16 in front. Whereas Bayreuth drained four threes in the first ten minutes, Kirchheim did not score from beyond the arc.

Selim Fofana was quickly burdened with three fouls and was spared as much as possible for the time being. Kirchheim now took command and led 28:20 after just under 14 minutes. The home side produced a 10:0 run and BBC Head Coach Mladen Drijencic tried to counter that with a timeout. However, Kirchheim continued to surge ahead and stretched its lead to double digits at 30:20. When Selim Fofana was substituted again, Bayreuth temporarily regained some confidence. Aaron Carver cut the BBC's deficit to 24:32 with two free throws. However, Kirchheim ultimately went in at half-time with a 44:30 lead. The BBC had thus lost the second quarter by 12:28 and Bayreuth was also virtually unable to make threes.

Kirchheim stretched its lead to 51:35 after just under 23 minutes in the third period. Kirchheim's threes continued to land, while Michael Flowers from beyond the arc and then Aitor Pickett with a lay-up stretched the Swabians' lead to 21 points. Bayreuth then closed the gap again somewhat and reduced the deficit to 42:62. After 29 minutes, the home side was 69:46 ahead and Kirchheim went into the final quarter with a 71:48 lead.

The Swabians' tenth win in a row was within their grasp. Bayreuth simply lacked the strength and the high foul count did the rest. All of the BBC's remaining vague playoff hopes had now probably finally been dashed. The game ultimately ended 87:67 in Kirchheim's favor. Bayreuth had a clear 19:12 advantage in turnovers, but was not able to capitalize on it. After 29 games, Bayreuth now has 26 points and remains in tenth place in the table.

BBC Bayreuth welcomes Dresden Titans for its next league game on Wednesday, April 3, 2020. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.