By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Overcoming a double-digit deficit twice was not enough for FC Bayern Munich.
Veolia Towers Hamburg got the win over Andrea Trinchieri’s side in overtime, 81-78, Saturday.
Kendale McCullum logged a career-high 31 points for the team coached by Austrian tactician Raoul Korner. Banking in 11/21 field goals went with seven steals, four rebounds, and four assists in Germany’s easyCredit BBL Regular Season Round 4.
Playing at home, the Towers jumped to an early 13-point lead. Losing the advantage, they rallied to a 10-point lead late in the third quarter. With the second double-digit cushion gone, Alba Berlin loanee Ziga Samar forced five extra minutes on his way to a 12-point showing. BYU product Yoeli Childs posted a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double.
On the losing end, Cassius Winston matched his season-high 25 points but missed the chance to wrap up the game with a midrange jumper at the end of regulation. From 69-69 at the end of the fourth quarter and a brief lead in overtime, his side played catchup the rest of the way. Both teams now stand at 3-1 in the German league.
In a crowded injury list for the team based in Munich, Isaac Bonga, Jason George, Elias Harris, Othello Hunter, Augustine Rubit, and Zan Mark Sisko all sat out.
Recovering from the domestic thriller, Bayern will be seeking to finally clinch a win in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Sitting at 0-4 before Regular Season Round 5, the next game is against Crvena Zvezda mts in Belgrade Friday.
Opening Round 4 of the BBL Friday, EWE Baskets Oldenburg extended the winless run of ratiopharm Ulm with an 81-73 victory at home. DeWayne Russell posted an 18-point, 10-assist double-double.
Elsewhere, Leon Kratzer scored 24 points and Telekom Baskets Bonn jumped to 3-0 with an away win, 79-72, versus Basketball Lowen Braunschweig.
Contrary to Bayern, ALBA Berlin extended its unscathed streak in all competitions to 8 – 0 by defeating Academics Heildeberg 78 – 70. Yovel Zoosman provided the winning side with 18 points plus nine rebounds.
BBL Round 4 results:
EWE Baskets Oldenburg – ratiopharm Ulm 81-73
Syntainics MBC – Fraport Skyliners 77-79
Basketball Lowen Braunschweig – Telekom Baskets Bonn 72-79
Veolia Towers Hamburg – FC Bayern Munich 81-78 OT (69-69)
Niners Chemnitz – Wurzburg Baskets 81-86
BG Gottingen – Rostock Seawolves 92-95
medi Bayreuth – Hakro Merlins Crailsheim 99-77
Alba Berlin – MLP Academics Heidelberg 78-70
MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg – Brose Bamberg 92-78
STANDINGS: Rostock Seawolves 4-0, Alba Berlin 4-0, Telekom Baskets Bonn 3-0…
3-0…
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net