GIANTS suffer second defeat in a row – TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen eV

There was a lot going on in the Ostermann Arena: around 1,364 spectators gathered on Bismarckstrasse, to attend the game between BAYER and the Iserlohn Kangaroos. The Leverkusen basket hunters were behind the They wanted to make amends for the 71:83 defeat at the Berlin Braves in 2000 and really wanted to win against the guests from South Westphalia. Coach Hansi Gnad was able to rely on his entire squad, while Samuel Mpacko, who was suffering from a shoulder injury, was missing from the away team.

The course of the game: Mortgage of the first quarter is too high for LEV

The opening phase belonged to the home team and LEV quickly led 5-0 (2nd minute of the game). But as the game went on, Iserlohn became stronger and stronger. The one in section number eThe outstanding Johannes Konradt, who scored three three-pointers in the first ten minutes, completed a 13-0 “run” for his team to take a 15-7 lead. The Kangaroos put in an impressive attacking performance in the first half. The home team didn’t make it, to restrict the Sauerlanders in their offensive efforts. They repeatedly used the gaps in the defense of the “Giants of the Rhine” to their advantage. The guests led 28:19 after the first quarter.

The second section was much more balanced. Iserlohn had lost the offensive ease from the first quarter, which was also due to the now clearly aggressive BAYER defense. However, the GIANTS still couldn’t find the desired access to the game. Although the Leverkusen team was always able to keep the deficit to their opponents within reasonable limits, they were unable to bring about a major turnaround. The game just didn’t want to tip in the Gnad team’s favor. A few ball losses and interruptions in the game meant that the second period dragged on for a long time. When the score was 38:45 we went into the dressing room.

After the break, the Farbenstadt team tried to use the crowbar, but Marius Stoll, Latrell Großkopf & Co. simply failed to make up any decisive ground. The Iserlohn team immediately countered a successful throw by the GIANTS. That was incredibly frustrating for the home side, as the effort they put in cost the Leverkusen team a lot of money. The gap was always between five and nine points. At the end of the quarter, the Kangaroos’ lead was still seven points (61:68).

At this point it can be revealed that from the record champions’ point of view, the big turning point did not happen. BAYER really wanted to win, but the hosts simply didn’t have the resources on this Sunday evening, to leave the playing field as a winner at the end. The mortgage from the first section was too high, to beat people from Iserlohn who are in a good mood. The Leverkusen team deservedly lost a long encounter, which ultimately lasted an impressive 2:15 hours, 87:93.

With 27 points, Trey McBride was the best point collector for his “giants”. In addition to his scoring, the US guard also had three assists and also grabbed four rebounds. Marko Boksic (15 points) and Sören-Eyke Urbansky (11) also scored in double figures.

Gnad: “We have to be more focused!”

GIANTS head coach Hansi Gnad appeared to be a fair loser at the subsequent press conference: “First of all, I would like to congratulate coach Dennis Shirvan and the Iserlohn Kangaroos on this victory, which is completely fine. Unfortunately we missed it, to bring about the turnaround in front of their own audience as quickly as possible after the first quarter. That’s because we simply lack rhythm and stability on offense at the moment. We have to work intensively on this in the coming weeks. The setting is also a little lacking, which we do over 40 minutes a day. In this very balanced league, with a lot of good teams, you just have to be able to be consistent, to play your best basketball.”

The BAYER GIANTS continue next Saturday, December 3rd, 2023, at 4 p.m., at the BSW Sixers.

Christopher Kwiotek