By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
On the verge of mishandling a double-digit lead for the second time, FC Bayern held on.
The Munich team defeated ratiopharm Ulm, 87-80, in Audi Dome Saturday night.
Newcomer Cassius Winston scored 25 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists in the easyCredit BBL Regular Season Round 1 contest. Shooting 8/12 from the field, including 3/4 threes, an impressive introduction for the former point guard of the Washington Wizards moving his talents to Germany.
Another American import, Freddie Gillespie put up ten points and eight rebounds. Coming in from 2022 EuroBasket action and winning a bronze medal with Germany, Nick Weiler-Babb added 18 points.
The early double-digit cushion was met with a massive response as the visitors got right back in the thick of it before halftime. Pressing the gas pedal once more upped the lead to 16 points but from there reduced to five points down the stretch.
Isaac Bonga (foot) was ruled out along with new captain Vladimir Lucic. Elias Harris and Zan Mark Sisko were sidelined as well.
After visiting the Fraport Skyliners Monday, the team guided by Andrea Trinchieri will jump into the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season and welcome Fenerbahce Beko in Munich Thursday.
The Skyliners were on the receiving end of an overtime loss, 83-82, to medi Bayreuth Friday. In the 2022-23 season opener, Alba Berlin took down the Towers, 81-78, Wednesday.
Elsewhere in the top-flight division of Germany, the Veolia Towers Hamburg and Telekom Baskets Bonn rolled Syntainics MBC and Wurzburg, respectively, 91-74 and 96-71, Saturday.
Round 1 – BBL
Merlins Crailsheim – EWE Baskets Oldenburg 82-95
Brose Bamberg – ALBA BERLIN 80-90
MLP Academics Heidelberg – MHP RIESEN 86-100
Würzburg Baskets -Telekom Baskets Bonn 71-96
Veolia Towers Hamburg -SYNTAINICS MBC 91-74
FC Bayern – Ratiopharm Ulm 87-80
Medi bayreuth -FRAPORT SKYLINERS 83-82
Round 2
ALBA BERLIN – Veolia Towers Hamburg 81-78
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net