Giessen – Dresden 89-88
Ninth-ranked Titans (17-17) were very close to win a game against third ranked 46ers (25-10) in Giessen on Saturday. 46ers managed to secure only one-point victory 89-88. However their fans expected much easier game. Giessen made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. American guard Duane Wilson (190-1994, college: Texas A&M) notched 21 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and the former international forward Robin Benzing (208-1989) supported him with 12 points and 6 assists. Wilson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Even 27 points and 7 rebounds by Canadian Tanner Graham (200-1996, college: Queen’s) did not help to save the game for Dresden. Guard Daniel Kirchner (187-1997) added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for lost side. Titans’ coach tried various players’ combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn’t help to avoid defeat in this game. 46ers have a solid three-game winning streak. Giessen moved-up to second place. Loser Titans keeps the ninth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Bremerhaven.
Bremerhaven – Trier 94-75
The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Gladiators (28-6) on the court of tenth ranked Eisbaeren Bremerhaven on Saturday night. Visitors were rolled over by Eisbaeren Bremerhaven 94-75. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Gladiators. Bremerhaven outrebounded Trier 41-30 including 29 on the defensive glass. Bremerhaven looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of center Hendrik Drescher (204-2000) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 7 rebounds. American forward Nick Hornsby (201-1995, college: Sacramento St.) contributed with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. Four Eisbaeren Bremerhaven players scored in double figures. American point guard Jordan Barnes (178-1997, college: Indiana St.) replied with 12 points and 4 assists and forward Moritz Krimmer (202-2000) added 12 points in the effort for Trier. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bremerhaven (17-17) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Dresden. Trier at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost.
Hagen – Bayreuth 87-63
No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Phoenix Hagen (24-10) crushed at home 11th ranked Bayreuth (15-19) 87-63 on Saturday. Hagen dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Bayreuth’s 30. They outrebounded Bayreuth 48-32 including 17 on the offensive glass. Hagen looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Naturalized Polish Dennis Nawrocki (193-1992) notched 20 points to lead the effort and point guard Bjarne Kraushaar (190-1999) supported him with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Phoenix Hagen players scored in double figures. Even 9 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by Swiss guard Selim Fofana (193-1999) did not help to save the game for Bayreuth. American forward Aaron Carver (201-1996, college: ODU) added 10 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Hagen moved-up to third place, which they share with Frankfurt. Loser Bayreuth keeps the eleventh position with 19 games lost.
Paderborn – Nuernberg 96-98
Very expected game when 18th ranked Uni Baskets (7-27) were edged by thirteenth ranked Falcons (12-22) in Paderborn 98-96 on Saturday. American power forward Courtney Alexander (203-1997, college: Tenn Tech) notched 26 points and 7 rebounds (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and the other American import guard Anthony Gaines (193-1998, college: Siena, agency: VM Hoops Agency) supported him with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Falcons’ coach Virgil Matthews used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Even 28 points by American guard Jake Biss (188-1998, college: Shippensburg) did not help to save the game for Paderborn. Point guard Lucas Mayer (185-1999) added 19 points and 6 assists for lost side. Five Nuernberg and four Paderborn players scored in double figures. Nuernberg moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Vechta 2. Paderborn lost sixth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 27 lost games.
Jena – Bochum 89-84
Very predictable result when fifth ranked Science City Jena (23-11) won against at home 17th ranked SparkassenStars (9-25) 89-84 on Saturday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of the host team counted on more convincing victory. Jena made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game.
