Tübingen. The Hagen basketball players had a weak offensive day against the BBL relegated side and suffered a deserved defeat.
The winning streak is broken: after four wins in a row, they lost Phoenix Hagen on the 6th matchday of the 2. Basketball-Bundesliga ProA both Tigers Tübingen. The BBL relegated team defeated coach Chris Harris‘ team, which was weak offensively that day, 83:71 (41:37) in the Paul Horn Arena. Tübingen remains a tough place for Phoenix.
1st half: Game at eye level
An even game initially developed between Tübingen and Hagen. Two top teams on equal terms. Phoenix got going with a lot of quick attacks, which Devonte McCall in particular knew how to use (8 points in the 1st half). In the second quarter, however, Hagen’s attack faltered more and more, Tübingen made Phoenix look old with a patient pick-and-roll and took a 39:30 lead in the 18th minute with a layup by Marvin Heckel.
Phoenix coach Chris Harris talks to his team during a timeout. © Jörg Laube | Jörg Laube
Hagen stayed in the action during this difficult phase thanks to Tim Uhlemann: The winger first took advantage of the fantastic pass from his long-time teammate Bjarne Kraushaar – a pass behind the back – before Uhlemann sank a jump shot in the next attack (39:34/19th). At halftime, Uhlemann and Co. remained within striking distance of 41:37 against the Tigers, who played fluently and hit better, and benefited from 12 Tübingen turnovers.
Tübingen moves away
After the half-time break, however, the fiercely defending Tigers continued to pull ahead and took a double-digit lead for the first time thanks to a long-range throw from Samuel Idowu, making it 55:45 (27th). The game became more disjointed. The Hagen team repeatedly came up with promising throws, but rarely used them. Hardly any Phoenix player in Baden-Württemberg found their normal offensive form, let alone their best form. The Tigers took the lead 70:59 (36th) thanks to a three-pointer from cleverly directed Miles Tention – it was the preliminary decision.
Hagen took a time out, but was no longer within striking distance. Ultimately, a 39 percent hit rate from the field wasn’t enough, and Hagen’s attack hardly got rolling through fast breaks after the first quarter. An average performance was enough for the Tigers to win the top game on matchday 6.
On the next match day, Phoenix will again face a title candidate away from home: On November 2nd, Coach Harris and his team will play against them Gladiators Trier.
Distribution of points
Phoenix: Boner, Hounnou (4), Carry (18), Nawrocki (5), Kraushaar (14), McCall (8), Stephenson-Moore (7, 3 Steals), Uhlemann (4, 3 Steals), Bohannon (11).
Top scorer Tübingen: Niedermanner (14), Moreaux (13), Jönke (12), Tention (11), Heckel (10).
