After the international break, Telekom Baskets Bonn picked up where they left off.
In an early game of the 29th matchday, Bonn defeated the Merlins Crailsheim on Thursday evening thanks to another gala performance with 101:83 (62:42). It was the second blowout win in a row after the 91:57 against Mitteldeutscher BC.
Before the game there was a minute’s silence for those who were involved in a car accident this week basketball pro Mubarak Salami who died in an accident from the Bonn cooperation partner Dragons Rhöndorf.
Shorts with an early double-double, baskets dominate
The Baskets had to do without returning Javontae Hawkins against Crailsheim, who had returned to France for personal reasons but is due to join the team on Friday. Both teams started with a lot of offense and less defense. After three minutes it was already 11:11. Shortly thereafter, the Baskets were able to break away with a 7:0 run to 18:11.
Especially on the board, the baskets were clearly superior to their opponents and collected almost all rebounds in front and behind. There was no lack of spectacle either: Deane Williams and Leon Kratzer dunk. In the end, the first quarter clearly went to Bonn with a score of 32:21.
Williams makes a spectacle
In the second half of the game, too, the people of Bonn impressed with their good team basketball. Sebastian Herrera was the tenth Baskets player to score points that night with a three pointer in the middle of the quarter. TJ Shorts already had a double-double (14 points, 10 assists) under his belt at this point. Even though Bonn’s shooting rate and rebound dominance decreased, the Baskets had the game well under control and were clearly leading 62:42 at the break.
After the change of sides, the guests fought their way up to 13 points until the Bonn team hit back after a time-out with an 11-0 run and also won this section of the game. Bonn’s Williams contributed more spectacular dunks to the delight of the home fans.
Falkenstein marks the end
Before the final quarter, the game was decided long ago. However, Bonn lost so much in the final minutes that coach Tuomas Iisalo gave his players an angry and loud sermon during a break. In the final minutes, Jonas Falkenstein, a homegrown player, was also allowed to play a part and complete Bonn’s three-digit victory with a three-pointer.
The Baskets’ top scorer was Shorts, who in addition to his 17 points and 15 assists set a new personal best. Four players from Bonn scored in double figures, and all eleven players entered the points list. At Crailsheim, Edon Maxhuni scored 19 points.
On Sunday (6 p.m.) the Baskets are guests at the Fraport Skyliners in Frankfurt.
