After more than 36 years away, MLP Academic Heidelberg could not have started their first season back in Germany's top flight any better, using an 11-2 run to finish off an 85-74 win over SYNTAINICS MBC - getting a road victory over a direct challenger in the fight to avoid relegation.
Game summary and turning point: Heidelberg opened a 10-point lead in the first quarter but gave it right back up and still did lead 23-21 after the first quarter. MBC nosed ahead briefly early in the second quarter but the guests led by as many as nine points and were up 43-39 at halftime. The Wolves reclaimed the lead briefly early in third quarter only to see Heidelberg move back ahead and take a 62-61 advantage into the final quarter. It remained tight until the final 3 minutes when Robert Lowery took over, collecting an assist and six points in the final 11-2 surge to get the big win.
Numbers please: Heidelberg held MBC to just 42.9 percent shooting for the game, while hitting 51.6 percent from the floor themselves, including a white hot 65.1 percent on 2-pointers. The promoted team also committed only seven turnovers.
Player of the Game: Lowery provided the late-game heroics but Brekkott Chapman led the way with 17 points and also grabbed 6 rebounds to go with 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.
The Germans: Niklas Würzner had a debut to remember as the 27-year-old guard scored 11 points to go with 1 assist and 2 steals in his first game in Germany's top flight. Maxi Ugrai chipped in 5 points and 4 rebounds for the winners. Radii Caisin picked up 7 points and 5 rebounds for MBC and Sergio Kerusch added 4 points and 6 rebounds.
Also newsworthy: It was more than 36 years - more than 13,260 days - that a Heidelberg team played in the German first division. USC Heidelberg were defeated by 1.FC Bamberg in the relegation round in 1985, and no one could have thought it would take the former powerhouse - the city celebrated nine titles with USC and Heidelberger TB - so long to get back to the elite level in the country.
What's up next: MBC head on the road for their next game as they play at Basketball Löwen Braunschweig on Thursday, September 30. Heidelberg will welcome home fans as they host MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg on Wednesday, September 29.
Video: Highlights for this game are available in the upper right under the tab "Video" or here at MAGENTA SPORT.
Anmerkung: In der Saison 2021/22 werden wie hier auch gelegentlich Nachberichte in englischer Sprache verfasst.
Note: During the 2021-22 season, there will occasionally be game reports published in English.
