Basketball: BBC shows character and wins derby in Nuremberg

After a tough battle and two overtimes, BBC Bayreuth won the Franconian derby at Nürnberg Falcons BC by 97:95 in the BARMER 2nd German Basketball League Pro A this afternoon.

Nuremberg got off to a perfect start, opening a 7:0 lead before Esa Ahmad scored Bayreuth's first two points after just over two minutes. After four minutes, the Falcons were 14:4 in front by ten points. Bayreuth then gradually woke up and pulled a little closer again, but after a jump shot by Selim Fofana the score was just 12:16. The home side went into the first quarter break with a 24:18 lead in a very fast-paced game.

Philip Jalalpoor drained the first three for the BBC right at the start of the second quarter to make it 21:24. Esa Ahmad cut the deficit to 25:26 shortly afterwards and Selim Fofana put Bayreuth ahead for the first time with a three to make it 28:26 after just over 13 minutes. The game remained tight, but the Falcons regained the lead and the home side led 31:28 after just under 16 minutes. Nuremberg led 35:30 with two minutes to go before half-time, but Shane Gatling cut the deficit to 35:37 with a three, but Daniel Monteroso scored a lay-up in return to make it 39:35 and Matthew Meredith finally made it 41:35 for the Falcons at half-time.

The Falcons extended their lead to 46:37 at the start of the third period. BBC Head Coach Mladen Drijencic called a timeout after the weak start to the second half. Aaron Carver and Philip Jalalpoor then reduced the deficit to 41:48, after which Marco Rahn cut Bayreuth's lead to 44:50 with a three. Daniel Monteroso also struck back with a bucket from downtown to make it 53:44 for Nuremberg went into the final quarter with a very narrow 59:55 lead.

Selim Fofana cut the deficit to 57:59, but Nuremberg struck back and led 63:57 again with six minutes remaining. Bayreuth then closed the gap to 61:69 with three-and-a-half minutes remaining. Aaron Carver cut the deficit to 65:71 with just under two minutes remaining before the buzzer, after which Philip Jalalpoor hit two free throws to make it 67:71. 54 seconds before the end of the quarter, Esa Ahmad made just one of two free throws. Esa Ahmad also reduced the deficit to 70:72 with 20 seconds left. Daniel Monteroso missed two free throws at the other end. Philip Jalalpoor drained two free throws at the other end to tie the scores at 72:72 with 6.6 seconds remaining. The Falcons now called a timeout but failed to score another basket - five minutes of overtime.

The Falcons initially went 76:72 in front in overtime. Bayreuth then equalized to 76:76. Esa Ahmad was now the dominant BBC player. Philip Jalalpoor then put Bayreuth 78:76 in front, Matthew Meredith equalized for Nuremberg to make it 78:78, after which Selim Fofana put Bayreuth 80:78 in front with 38 seconds left on the clock. Isaiah Sanders then drained a three for the Falcons. Aaron Carver was then fouled, but only scored once for Bayreuth - 81:78 for the BBC. Isaiah Sanders tied the scores at 81:81 with 6.8 seconds remaining. It remained that way and another period of overtime followed.

The 3,151 spectators, including many fans from Bayreuth, were treated to a further five minutes of overtime. The BBC tied the scores at 89:84 with 104 seconds remaining. Shane Gatling then scored two free throws and Isaiah Sanders drained another three to make it 95:93 for the BBC with 19 seconds left on the clock. Nuremberg fouled and Shane Gatling again made two free throws - 97:93 for Bayreuth. The BBC won by 97:95, the team showed character and made impressive amends for last Friday's humiliation in Bochum.

A home game against FRAPORT SKYLINERS is scheduled for Sunday, March 10. Tip-off is at 3 p.m.