This basketball game had everything in it – just ultimately no more points for Science City Jena. Despite a great performance, the Thuringians have to leave Würzburg empty-handed after two extra periods.
Science City Jena suffered a very unfortunate 92:97 (41:38, 74:74) defeat at the Würzburg Baskets on matchday 6 of the Basketball Bundesliga. Last season’s playoff semi-finalists, coach Björn Harmsen’s team put in a self-sacrificing performance, but failed to close the bag several times and narrowly lost out after two extra periods. The best Jena thrower was Tavian Dunn-Martin with 20 points, while Marcus Carr excelled at Würzburg with 37 points.
Jena turbo start with threesomes on the assembly line
Jena got off to a better start against the Lower Franconians, who recently lost three competitive games in a row. After four minutes, Harmsen’s team was already 15:6 ahead because Science City let it rip from a distance and sank five three-pointers in a row into the Würzburg basket. The hosts, on the other hand, needed a bit of a start, but then found their way into the game and fought their way to within one point by the first half break (21:22/10th).
Section two began with a quick change of lead in Würzburg’s favor. As a result, more mistakes crept in on both sides, both in the offensive and defensive game, so that an open game developed. The better end was reserved for Jena: Joe Wieskamp met a great pass from Eric Washington with the siren to make it 41:38.
Eric Washington (left) contributed the most assists in Würzburg.
Würzburg is turning up the heat, Science City is coming back
Würzburg then came out of the locker room with a lot of momentum. The home team managed to turn the game to 48:42 in their favor with a 10:1 run within the first 240 seconds – Jena meanwhile had noticeable problems keeping up the pace. Nevertheless, Science City could not be completely shaken off. Only five points behind – thanks to Keith Braxton’s three-pointer to make it 55:60 from the Thuringians’ perspective (30th) – promised an exciting final section.
At the beginning of the last quarter, Harmsen’s team actually managed to heat up the game again. First Braxton stuffed it in to make it 64:64 (35th), then Dunn-Martin hit two three-pointers in a row that put Jena back in the lead two minutes before the end (72:70/39th). Würzburg struck back and made it 74:74 with just under half a minute to go. The final attack, however, belonged to Science City. Braxton, who had been in such a brilliant mood up to this point, was supposed to fix it – but in the last action of all times, the US boy showed nerves and didn’t sink the ball into the basket. Overtime was needed.
Keith Braxton (left) became a tragic hero in Würzburg. (archive image)
Braxton drops the decision again
Jena went ahead again in extra time, but Würzburg continued to keep pace. A thrilling extra time developed in which Dunn-Martin made it 83:81 shortly before the end before Braxton was allowed to go to the line for two free throws. However, he was once again unable to make the decision as only one of his two attempts ended up in the net. So it happened as it had to happen – with five seconds left on the clock, the hosts made it 84:84 through Carr, which meant a further five minutes.
This time Würzburg came in better and immediately went on a 4-0 run. Jena tried to hold on, but ultimately seemed to have to let something break for reasons of strength. Dunn-Martin was able to put two more fabulous three-pointers in the basket, but the home team showed a little more staying power at the back and ultimately took control of the dramatic game with 97:92 after two overtimes.
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MDR AKTUELL – The news radio | SPORT IN THE EAST | November 1, 2025 | 6:40 a.m
