It was the top game on Boxing Day: second in the table against third in the table. The Würzburg Baskets retain the upper hand against the Gladiators Trier.
It was the expected intense top game in the Basketball Bundesliga. The first quarter was competitive and balanced. Thanks to a strong Marcus Carr, Würzburg pulled away with 58:44. The Gladiators got into the game better in the second half, especially on defense, but were unable to compensate for the departure of their point guard Eli Brooks. Würzburg took second place in the table from Trier with a 102:83 win.
The Baskets from Würzburg had recently really picked up the pace with three wins in a row in the league. For the Trier team it was their first game without them Star point guard Eli Brookswho had his contract bought out by Spanish first division club Manresa twelve days ago. Since no successor has yet been signed, Clayton Guillozet took over the position of playmaker.
Eli Brooks is not missing from the Gladiators Trier initially
The big question: How would the absence of Eli Brooks make an impact on the Gladiators? Not at all at first. The Trier team got into the game well and won 10-2. Bayern’s plan to force the guests from the Mosel into half-court basketball didn’t work in the first five minutes.
Then Damion Mintz turned things up on the Würzburg side with two three-pointers and initiated his team’s comeback. To the delight of the fans in the sold-out Tectake Arena, the rest of the first quarter saw the expected intense game between two top teams. The result after the first quarter reflects the balanced offensive spectacle well with 27:28.
Würzburg’s Marcus Carr was the guarantee of success with his good hit rate.
Würzburger Marcus Carr makes the difference
Würzburg started the second quarter better and pulled away with nine points. Trier switched to zone defense in order to contain Würzburg’s offensive urge. Coach Jacques Schneider demanded pride and intensity from his Gladiators at the first timeout. The latter was implemented immediately. The still highly intense game can also be seen in the 20 fouls after just 14 minutes of play.
On the Baskets side, Marcus Carr made the difference with his accuracy and enthusiasm and put his team in the lead with 14 goals. Trier, on the other hand, did not find an adequate means and allowed 22 turnovers. The halftime score was 58:44.
Trier defended better in the second half
Trier allowed 58 points in one half – you didn’t have to be a prophet to imagine the content of Trier’s coach Jacques Schneider’s half-time speech. Without more access in defense, the points would remain in Lower Franconia as a late Christmas present.
The Gladiators Trier tried to get more access under the baskets against the Basketbs Würzburg.
The Gladiators appeared much more aggressive in the second half. The Würzburg offensive engine stalled because the Trier team allowed less and less. Trier had the opportunity to pass the ball, but lacked its usual coolness under the basket. The Baskets were able to keep Trier at bay with 14 points after the third quarter.
Trier Final offensive stays out
Over the course of the season so far, the Gladiators have proven time and again that they can really turn things up in the final quarter. But the 100 fans who traveled with them waited in vain for their team’s final offensive. Six minutes before the end, Trier center Maik Zirbes was sent off after a disqualifying foul.
We didn’t find our way into the game.
Marten Linßen, Gladiators Trier
Symptomatic of the disjointed final quarter. On the Würzburg side, Brae Ivey had a run and put his team in the lead with 26 points three minutes before the end. In the end, Würzburg celebrated a 102:83 victory and swapped place in the table with Trier. Trier crowd favorite Marten Linßen sums it up: “We couldn’t find our way into the game.”
