FC Bayern Basketball has started its anniversary season in the BBL with a victory. The champions initially struggled in their 93-77 win against promoted side Science City Jena, but turned up the heat after the break and won the opening game by a clear margin.
The reigning champions had to cope with several absences at the start of the season, including Andi Obst, Joe Voigtmann, Justus Hollatz, and Rokas Jokubaitis. The game got off to a slow start as a result, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm in attack. New signing Xavier Rathan-Mayes (17 points, 11 rebounds) made his mark early on, but promoted Jena kept up with a lot of energy. Tavian Dunn-Martin (20, 6/10 3PM) was particularly impressive with two quick three-pointers. After ten minutes, the underdogs were surprisingly ahead 23-21.
Jena remained aggressive in the second quarter, thanks in part to Eric Washington (15). Dunn-Martin scored again from outside, while the Thuringians impressed defensively with their high level of aggression. Bayern now found their way into the game better, led by Vladimir Lucic (19, 7 rebounds) and Kamar Baldwin (10), but Jena did not let themselves be shaken off. Big man Great Osobor (13) even tied the score again before Rathan-Mayes saved the narrow halftime lead for the favorites with a spectacular buzzer beater to make it 48-47.
Jovic and Lucic initiate turnaround
After the break, FC Bayern increasingly took control. New signing Stefan Jovic (12) turned the game around with six points in a row, Lucic followed up with a three-pointer. Munich built up an eight-point lead and converted their better ball movement into points. With 16 assists by the end of the third quarter, the champions were well ahead of Jena (8), who went into the final quarter with the score at 70-62.
Bayern made short work of the final quarter. Baldwin made a statement with a powerful dunk, European champion Oscar da Silva (9) and Niels Giffey (13) increased the lead, before Justinian Jessup (11) sealed the deal with a three-pointer. Jena was unable to keep up and had to let the game slip away. In the end, the favorites won comfortably 93-77, celebrating a successful start to the 60th BBL season.
Bayern will continue on Tuesday (8:15 p.m.) with the start of the new EuroLeague season. They will face Panathinaikos Athens, one of the top favorites for the title, in their opening game. The newly promoted team from Jena will not be back in action until Thursday, when they play their second BBL game in Heidelberg.
