By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Retaining the lead through the second half, FC Bayern Munich prevailed, 80-73, against ALBA Berlin Sunday.
Nick Weiler-Babb upped his game after the break to reset his season-high at 18 points. Vladimir Lucic packed 17 points and Ognjen Jaramaz threw in 14 more points in the easyCredit BBL Regular Season Round 10 meeting of the two Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams based in Germany.
Deshaun Thomas did not dress, nor did newcomer K.C. Rivers. Also sidelined, Darrun Hilliard, Leon Radosevic, and Paul Zipser are still on the injury list for the team coached by Andrea Trinchieri. However, Bayern dug its way out of a nine-point deficit in the second quarter and retained control for the remainder of the 40 minutes.
Former Bayern guard, Maodo Lo was the top performer for the hosts scoring 17 points in the German classic. With Luke Sikma remaining out along with Christ Koumadje, the offense for the team coached by Israel Gonzalez struggled in large stretches of the contest.
The winning side went up to 9-2 earning a slim lead over Telekom Baskets Bonn currently second in the German League at 8-2. The Berlin club fell to 6-4 and into a six-way tie in fifth place. BG Gottingen ranks third thanks to a 6-3 W-L tally.
Earlier, ratiopharm Ulm beat the Hamburg Towers, 78-74. Thomas Klepeisz connected six three-pointers en route for the game-high 19 points. Both sides joined the pack of teams with a 6-4 record.
German guard David Kramer sank the game-winning free throw with one second left handing Lowen Braunschweig the away win, 87-86, against s.Oliver Wurzburg.
Sunday results:
s.Oliver Wurzburg – Lowen Braunschweig 86-87
ratiopharm Ulm – Hamburg Towers 78-74
ALBA Berlin – FC Bayern Munich 73-80