The Heidelberg basketball player waves the leap below the top four teams to return to the playoff stage in the BBL.
The Academics Heidelberg won the second quarter-final duel against the Niners Chemnitz with 74:70 (36:33). The first game on the weekend had already gone to the Ademics.
It was the first playoff home game for the Heidelberger in 46 years, at that time still under the name USC Heidelberg. The hosts started accordingly. A good three minutes were played when the Academics had thrown out a 12: 5 lead.
Niners coach Rodrigo Pastore reacted and took the first break early. The Chemnitzer promptly came into play and acted with more intensity and came back through a 6-0 run. There was a lot of speed on both sides now. The Academics ended the first quarter with a 19:15 lead.
Spectacular Buzzer Beater von Wheather
Chemnitz started strongly in the second section. Led by top scorer Victor Taylor, the guests turned the game and were in the lead with 27:23. Heidelberg countered in the person of Paul Zipser and Michael Wheathers, it was a duel at eye level. Wheathers, which accommodated a buzzer Beater from his own half in the basket – provided the spectacular end of the first half – 36:33.
The third quarter started with a highly concentrated Niners, who directly put on a 6-0 run. None of the two teams could be decisive. At the Academics, Ryan Mikesell came into play better and better, who contributed ten points in this section. At the end of the quarter, the Heidelbergers were 56:51 at the front.
Nerve battle between Academics and Niners
The last ten minutes were pure nervous things. In the first 15 seconds, both teams made a turnover. Shortly thereafter, a moment of shock for the Heidelberger when Mateo Seric stayed on the floor after a duel under the basket and had to leave the court.
Both teams now struggled to raise an orderly offensive. The score remained correspondingly tight. It was 63:63 a good four minutes before the end when Heidelberg’s coach Danny Jansson took a break.
As if the tension were not big enough, the technology briefly went on strike before going. The Niners had an advantage at almost two minutes on the clock. After a challenge, Heidelberg was decided instead of a Chemnitz throw -in. During the subsequent offense, the Academics offered three options for the threesome, the final finally used DJ Horne.
It was now in a blow: Kevin Yebo brought Chemnitz forward with a statement, but Wheather’s countered immediately. 15 seconds before the end, it was Horne again who, with a threesome, ensured a four-point lead of the hosts. Then Mikesell played the throw -in from the side of the chemnitzers into the hands, who could not take advantage of the opportunity. So after the final siren the Heidelbergers cheered.
Tight duel in the first game
The first game of the series went to Heidelberg on Saturday with 93:90. The duel between the main-round chemnitz and the Academics (5th) is one at eye level. Both teams won 18 victories in 14 defeats in the 32 season games. In addition, the opponents were able to win five of the last ten games. The third game of the series takes place again in Chemnitz (Sunday, 4:30 p.m.).
With a win, the Academics could already make it clear to the semi-finals, where the top favorite FC Bayern is expected to be waiting. In the series, the Munich team against the Central German BC leads 2-0.
Broadcast on Wed., September 9th, 2025 6:00 a.m., SWR Currently in the morning, SWR Current
