Bamberg Baskets remained alive for a seventh German BBL Cup but only after wasting a 21-point fourth quarter lead and coming back to beat RASTA Vechta 88-87 on the road to reach the Semi-Finals. Bamberg trailed by 13 points in the first quarter but took control of the game and led by 21 points with 8 minutes left. Vechta came back to take the lead before Zach Copeland saved Bamberg with a three-pointer with 11 seconds to go. Copeland was otherworldly in scoring 33 points while Tommy Kuhse had 21 points in the loss for Vechta, who were hoping to reach the TOP FOUR for the first time. Bamberg’s opponent for the TOP FOUR on February 17-18 will be drawn Sunday evening.
Game Summary: Bamberg opened the scoring but Vechta unleashed a barrage of three three-pointers among 13 straight points for a 13-2 lead and Vechta surged ahead 20-7. The score after 10 minutes was 23-14 for the hosts. Adrian Nelson took over with six straight points and Bamberg were down 25-20. Vechta answered with the next seven points to re-establish a 12-point lead 32-20. Then it was Zach Copeland time with the Bamberg guard dropping a personal 11-0 run and another Copeland layup and triple to finish a 17-2 Bamberg spurt to go ahead 39-34. The guests went into the intermission up 42-39.
Vechta started the second half hot again from deep with 2 three-pointers for a 47-44 lead. Bamberg were not impressed with Copeland, EJ Onu and Trey Woodbury all draining two three-pointers for a 73-56 advantage, which was the score after 30 minutes. Ryan Schwieger hit a triple to start the fourth quarter for the hosts, but Bamberg remained hot with Copeland knocking down another long ball and Woodbury extended the cushion to 21 points, 80-59 and it was 82-61 with under 8 minutes to play. Vechta was not done just yet thanks to Tommy Kuhse and Joshka Ferner both draining 2 three-pointers and then Schwieger’s triple finished an unthinkable 23-1 surge as Vechta took the lead 84-83 lead with under 2 minutes to go. Bamberg continued to attempt three-pointers - missing 4 straight to let Vechta back into the game. The guests finally went inside and Patrick Heckmann hit the layup with 45 seconds to go and Bamberg were back ahead. This game still had early Christmas gifts though as Ferner and Copeland knocked down three-pointers and Bamberg led 88-87 with 11 seconds to go. For the final possession Vechta went to Kuhse, whose shot was blocked by Onu and Ferner’s three-pointer was off target and Bamberg survived.
Numbers Please: Bamberg shot 51.7 percent from the field including a white-hot 77.3 percent on two-pointers to go with 13 made three-pointers. Vechta knocked down 14 three-pointers but converted just 44.8 percent for the game.
Player of the Game: No surprises here as Zach Copeland did everything for Bamberg. He hit 6 three-pointers in scoring 33 points but also contributed 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals for an efficiency of 33.
The Germans: Those waiting to see the battle of German centers between Johann Grünloh and Filip Stanic were disappointed as Vechta's star talent Grünloh could not play because he was sick. Stanic ended up collecting 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block, and Patrick Heckmann chipped in 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals for the winners. Joschka Ferner just about helped Vechta to the victory with 18 points including 5 three-pointers to go with 5 rebounds and 3 steals. And Joel Aminu added 8 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals.
Also Newsworthy: Kuhse has been Vechta's star leader all season and he almost made history with the team. The guard collected 8 points and 2 assists in the 23-1 run to claim the lead. But Kuhse's shot was blocked in the end. For the game, Kuhse collected 21 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists.
Also Newsworthy Part II: Bamberg are now two wins from their seventh German Cup win following 1992 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017 and 2019.
What's Up Next: Vechta return to the road and take on BG Göttingen on Saturday December 16. Bamberg for their part play their next league game on Monday December 18 at home against HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim.
Video: Highlights of this game will be available soon on Dyn's website or here on Dyn's YouTube channel.
Anmerkung: In der Saison 2023/24 werden wie hier auch gelegentlich Nachberichte in englischer Sprache verfasst.
Note: During the 2023-24 season, there will occasionally be game reports published in English.
