FC Bayern Basketball has responded strongly in the EuroLeague to its defeat against Partizan. The Munich team deservedly beat Valencia Basket 93-89, keeping its play-in hopes alive.
Just 48 hours after the disappointment against Partizan Belgrade, Bayern presented a significantly changed team. With the return of Andreas Obst (12 points, 1/7 3PM), Munich found structure in their attack early on and countered Valencia’s well-known high tempo with aggressive pressing of their own. Despite good ball movement by the visitors, the game was initially evenly balanced, with Vladimir Lucic (19) taking responsibility early on. After ten minutes, Valencia had a narrow 24-22 lead. Curiously, after about four minutes, one of the referees had to leave the court. As a result, only two referees officiated the game.
In the second quarter, the game increasingly tilted in favor of the home team. Bayern shot at a high percentage from outside (almost 54 percent), defended intensely, and repeatedly put Valencia under pressure. Justinian Jessup (16) and Wenyen Gabriel made quick finishes, while the three-pointers fell reliably. A spectacular alley-oop dunk by Isiaha Mike (14, 6 rebounds) made a statement shortly before the break. With a 53-44 lead and over 50 percent from the three-point line, the team deservedly went into the locker room.
Control maintained, Valencia without late comeback
Bayern remained stable after the break. Lucic and Mike initially kept the lead in double digits before Valencia was able to close the gap once again through former Würzburg and Bamberg player Kameron Taylor (20, 6 rebounds). But every little bit of momentum the visitors gained was immediately countered, including by an important three-pointer from Jessup. The score was 79-70 going into the final quarter. Valencia, normally one of the strongest teams in the fourth quarter, came back to within five points. But Bayern kept their cool. Neno Dimitrijevic (12 points, 7 assists) took control in crunch time, while Oscar da Silva sealed the deal with free throws. In the end, it was a 93-89 victory, which, given that they were still 13 points ahead with one minute to go, was more comfortable than it looks and gave Munich its ninth win of the season.
There will be no long break for FC Bayern: In the BBL, the top match against Würzburg awaits on Sunday, followed by an away game against league leaders Hapoel Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague in a week’s time.