FC Bayern sweeps Trier out of the play-offs – Bamberg also reaches the semifinals

FC Bayern Basketball made full use of their first match point in the quarterfinals of the easyCredit BBL and clearly defeated the Vet-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier 99:62 in game three. The defending champion thus advances to the semifinals after three games. There, Munich will face the winner of the series between RASTA Vechta and ALBA Berlin. Bamberg is also through: The Franconians also decided their best-of-five series against ratiopharm Ulm early with a 96:87 win in game three. In the third pairing, however, things remain close – Würzburg forced a fifth game with an 82:70 win over Bonn.

Bayern turns the game clearly before halftime

In Trier, the underdog initially kept the game open. After the first quarter, Bayern led only 23:20, also because Munich did not consistently eliminate every inaccuracy in the early stages. Trier had opportunities but could not capitalize enough on Munich's inaccuracies.

The break in the game came in the second quarter – and it was mainly due to physical and structural reasons. Bayern now controlled the paint and clearly dominated the rebounding (30:9), which denied Trier second chances and at the same time gave Munich additional attacks. By halftime, the game was practically decided at 57:33. Oscar da Silva led Bayern at this point as top scorer with twelve points.

After the break, the game remained one-sided. Trier committed turnovers, Bayern repeatedly ran into open spaces and pulled further ahead early in the third quarter. After three quarters it was 81:46. In the final quarter, Munich managed the lead confidently, narrowly missed the 100-point mark and sealed their spot in the semifinals with the 99:62.

Bamberg follows after a strong third quarter

Bamberg also finished their series without detour and defeated Ulm in the third game 96:87 (27:28, 20:19, 32:19, 17:21). At halftime, with the score at 47:47, no decision had yet been made, but then Bamberg set the decisive phase: The third quarter went 32:19 to the hosts, Ulm found no answer.

Ibi Watson shaped the evening as the offensive focal point: 28 points with six hits from eight three-point attempts gave Bamberg the necessary punch during their runs. Demarcus Demonia added 17 points and six assists. For Ulm, Mark Smith (21 points, five rebounds, three assists) and Christian Sengfelder (18 points, eleven rebounds) were the most notable players, but overall Bamberg remained more stable in the crucial minutes – and secured the sweep.

A rematch of the cup final, which Bamberg won in February after overtime 103:97 against Munich, would thus only be possible in a final series at the earliest.

Würzburg forces the decider

In the series between the Würzburg Baskets and the Telekom Baskets Bonn, the decision will only be made in the fifth game. Würzburg won game four in the tectake ARENA 82:70 (20:12, 16:19, 25:17, 12:22) and thus tied the series.

Würzburg laid the foundation early: The first quarter (20:12) gave them breathing room, in the third quarter the team pulled ahead again with 25:17 – and kept Bonn at a distance when the game could still have turned. Davion Mintz hit four of his five threes and scored 14 points, Marcus Carr contributed 13 points, four rebounds and seven assists.

The decisive fifth game will take place on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. in Bonn. Bayern and Bamberg are already through – in Bonn, the last semifinal ticket will now be awarded.