After four league wins in a row, the Baskets Bonn suffered another defeat in the BBL against the Löwen Braunschweig.
Bonn narrowly lost 76:80 (23:19, 23:21, 13:20, 17:20) in their own hall on Wednesday (December 13, 2023). The third-place team missed out on using the early game on matchday 22 to increase their lead over the competition in the BBL top group. The best thrower in Bonn was Noah Kirkwood (16 points). On the visitors’ side, Ahmaad Rorie excelled with 27 points.
Baskets Bonn need time to get going in attack
Bonn initially had a difficult time on the offensive. In the first leg ten days ago on the first day of Advent, both opponents had shone with particularly strong shooting percentages and, with a total of 115 points in the first half alone (60:55), set a current league season record.
Indicative of the rather mixed start: Point guard Harald Frey only managed the first three-pointer in Bonn after four minutes had been played in the first quarter, which meant that the Telekom Baskets made it 9:6. Bonn then entered the game with the most beautiful attack to date: Savion Flagg dunked after a pass from Thomas Kennedy. Christian Sengfelder then made the home fans cheer with two successful three-pointers.
Löwen Braunschweig cannot be shaken off
But the four-point lead at the end of the first quarter was short-lived, the Löwen Braunschweig remained stubborn. Brandon Tischler turned the score to 23:24 from the Baskets perspective.
As a result, the opponents fought more intense duels. Bonn initially scored even better. Also because the Baskets avoided throwing from a distance and instead worked precisely in the zone and on free throws. Braunschweig had a weak phase in which some (too) difficult throws were taken, but it still couldn’t be shaken off.
Peterka hit, Bonn surprised by Lion’s run
Bitter for Bonn: The Baskets had to start the second half without Martin Peterka. Because he had already left the court in the middle of the second quarter and stayed in the Bonn locker room.
The Baskets weren’t particularly deterred at first. And they took advantage of a hair-raising turnover by Tischler – Frey served Flagg, who put the scoreboard at 48:42 with a dunking, and a little later there was a ten-point lead for Bonn on the balance sheet.
But Braunschweig once again demonstrated its willingness to take action and had an answer ready. Braunschweig increased the pace considerably, and in defense the Lions made the baskets, which were going through a critical phase, more effectively. So it actually came to an equalizer – 52:52. Noah Kirkwood ended Braunschweig’s 10-0 run with an important three-pointer, but Bonn still went into the final quarter with a 59:60 lead.
Tight final phase with a worse ending for Baskets
It was clear that the fourth section would be hotly contested. Braunschweig attacked, but Bonn found the answer in the person of Glynn Watson and Kirkwood. Both sank important three-pointers so that the score was 68:68.
It remained a close game until the end. Brian Fobbs led the way at Bonn but was unavailable for Braunschweig. With a minute left, he hit a free throw to give Bonn a 76:75 lead, before top scorer Rorie shocked the Baskets again with a three-pointer. In return, Frey showed nerves and missed the equalizer.
Baskets Bonn have to travel to Würzburg
Next Saturday it’s time for the Baskets Bonn in the BBL already further. Then the Rhinelanders have to play away at the Würzburg Baskets at 6:30 p.m.
