AND ONE!

Weekly roundup for our English-speaking fans by David Hein.

Week 15 - December 31st 2013

Bamberg bounced from Euroleague, grab two BBL wins

The dream of getting the first Turkish Airlines Euroleague Top 16 victory will have to wait another season as Brose Baskets Bamberg were bounced from the Regular Season with a tough 84-80 loss at home to Zalgiris Kaunas. Bamberg rebounded from their Euroleague exit with two wins in the Beko BBL while seeing a strong debut from Elias Harris, the departure on loan of Philipp Neumann and addition of a second general manager in Marko Beens.

Brose were hoping to reach the expanded Euroleague Last 16 for a second straight season and would have done so with a home victory over Zalgiris on Thursday December 19. But a 22-2 Kaunas second half surge KO’d Bamberg, who gave up an 11-point third quarter lead in losing the game to fall to 3-7 in the group – behind Anadolu Efes Istanbul (4-6) and Kaunas (5-5).

“It is disappointing to lose a game we had under control. A lack of discipline in the fourth quarter cost us the Top 16,” said Bamberg head coach Chris Fleming.

Kaunas opened the first mini-lead, 12-7, and would push the margin to 19-13. But Rakim Sanders nailed two three-pointers to spark a 13-0 run for a 26-19 lead. The Brose cushion was 28-21 after 10 minutes.

Bamberg increased the margin to nine points to start the second quarter. Zalgiris worked their way back into the game and pulled ahead 39-38. And Brose trailed 44-43 at the break.

Fleming’s men got back ahead early in the third and continued to build the lead, increasing it to 11 points – 69-58 – in the final seconds of the period, which ended as a nine-point game.

Bamberg could not stop Ksistof Lavrinovic and Justin Dentmon, who led Kaunas on two 10-0 runs on either side of an Anton Gavel layup in pushing ahead 80-71. Jamar Smith cut it to 82-80 with a three-ball with 4.2 seconds left before Sarunas Jasikevicius iced the game with two free throws.

“We had the game in the third quarter and just gave it away in the fourth when they turned it around and we couldn’t stop it,” said Gavel, who led Bamberg with 16 points.

Sanders had 14, D’Or Fischer scored 12 and Maik Zirbes added 10 in the loss.

With a format change this season, Bamberg at least will remain in European competition, dropping down to the Eurocup where they will play in the four-team Group J in the Last 32 against Banco Sardegna Sassari, BCM Gravelines and Aykon TED Ankara.

Bamberg didn’t have much time to wallow in disappointment as they faced a tough challenge in the Beko BBL against Phoenix Hagen. Brose fell behind 13-5 early but used an 11-0 run to pull ahead 16-13. The lead was 24-21 after one quarter.

Bamberg increased the margin to double digits at 31-21 but Hagen answered with nine straight points to cut the gap to 31-30. Brose were up 51-48 at intermission.

Bamberg again pulled away in the third quarter, going ahead by 12 points. The margin was 79-70 after three quarters.

In the fourth, Phoenix Hagen got to within four points, but Bamberg finished strong in winning 104-93. 

Elias Harris had a great debut with 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting while adding four rebounds and a steal. Zirbes had 16 points, Fischer 15, Smith 13 and Gavel 11.

“Of course the conditions were hard after being eliminated from the Euroleague. That wasn’t easy for us to deal with,” said Fleming.

“In the end, it was important that we kept control of the game in the second half. We led the entire way and defended our lead well. We managed the final three minutes very well.”

About the debutant Harris, Fleming added: “He gives us quality. He only had one practice with us, but he possesses a high basketball IQ. He’s a very mobile player with a lot of athleticism. We can expect a lot from him.”

Before the game, Bamberg sent Philipp Neumann on loan to Oldenburg until the end of the season since the 21-year-old likely would not receive any playing time with the arrivals of Fischer and Harris in the last couple of weeks.

“I was always a big proponent of Philipp and I think highly of his talent. But we got into a situation in which we needed more experience under the basket,” said Fleming of the decision involving Neumann.

“It’s important for Philipp to play and he’s moving to a good club in which he will get his chances.”

About the departure, GM Wolfgang Heyder said: “It’s too bad that our plan of playing this season with two young German centers didn’t work. Philipp came into our program seven years ago and really developed well since then. We hope he continues that development in Oldenburg.”

Oldenburg have an option on Neumann for the 2014-15 season.

Bamberg also announced the addition of a second general manager in Marko Beens. The 43-year-old Beens, who was the GM of the Artland Dragons for years, will take over from Wolfgang Heyder the duties of finances, organization and marketing. Beens will start his new position on January 15.

Bamberg returned to the court on Saturday December 28 to face off s.Oliver Baskets Würzburg. Brose allowed just 18 points in the second half in grabbing a 61-49 road victory, improving their record to 12-3 for second place in the Beko BBL – two games behind Bayern Munich.

Würzburg jumped ahead 8-2 and led 17-10 after one quarter despite Fischer scoring eight points. Bamberg’s deficit increased to double digits at 20-10 early in the second quarter. The margin was 30-21 before Bamberg pulled to within 31-25 at the break.

Würzburg increased the advantage to 37-31 before Bamberg used an 8-1 run to take their first lead of the game, 39-38. And Brose were up 41-40 after three quarters.

Bamberg started the fourth with a 6-1 surge after which Würzburg pulled to within 46-44. Brose did not let up and used an 8-2 run to grab an eight-point lead 54-46. Bamberg remained in control the rest of the way.

Fischer paced Bamberg with 14 points and eight rebounds while Smith and Harris both scored 11 points and Sanders had 10.

“We are in stage where we are trying to figure out roles on the court. That’s why we have problems moving the ball,” said Fleming.

“In the final three quarters, we defended really well and tough. My players must learn to play as a unit and have more trust in making the pass. But the guys played with a lot of heart.”

Bamberg next take the court on Sunday January 5 when they host Fraport Skyliners, who have won six of their last seven games to improve to 9-6

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