By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Packing a comfortable advantage for most of the 40 minutes, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg marched to the win, 99-58, versus the Bakken Bears Tuesday night.
Basketball Champions League veteran and defensive specialist Yorman Polas Bartolo launched his fifth season in FIBA’s top European club competition in style. The Cuban-German forward tallied 15 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists. The 22 efficiency rating was the highest in the Regular Season Round 1 Group E.
With long-time head coach John Patrick working elsewhere after being in charge for nine years, Josh King took over for the fifth BCL campaign of the Germany outfit. The stint produced a couple of appearances in the Champions League Final Four, including the 2022 season-ending tournament with Ludwigsburg settling in third place at Bilbao.
Plenty of new players as well, among them Prentiss Hubb. The rookie coming out of Notre Dame went for 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Jonathan Baehre and Justin Johnson added 13 points each. Isaiah Whitehead did not play.
Coming in with a weekend loss in Denmark’s Basketligaen, it was not a pleasant visit to MHPArena for the team guided by Anders Sommer. It fell way behind in the first half and was not competitive shaping a one-sided affair. Elijah Childs and Michel Diouf shared a team-high 10 points in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
Already at 1-0, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem got a roommate on top of the group standings. The Denmark champions instead met Darussafaka at 0-1.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League