Würzburg Baskets finished 2023 on a high note with a strong third quarter leading to an 83-78 home victory over EWE Baskets Oldenburg and extend their winning streak to six games. Würzburg took the third stanza 26-18 and built a 20-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Otis Livingston led the way for the hosts with 19 points as Würzburg improved to 9-4. Oldenburg’s struggles continued with their seventh loss in the last eight games for a 6-9 record. Geno Crandall collected 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in the loss.
Game Summary: Neither team really could take charge of the game early on with four lead changes and three points being the biggest lead in the first 6 minutes. Oldenburg missed all 7 three-point attempts in the first quarter but were still able to take a 17-11 lead. Würzburg were unable to take advantage of their 7 offensive rebounds in the first 10 minutes and trailed 17-14 after 10 minutes.
Würzburg still struggled offensively in the second quarter, failing to score in nearly the first 5 minutes but Oldenburg could only go ahead 19-17. Kenneth Ogbe hit Oldenburg’s first three-pointer after the team missed its first 15 triple attempts for a 22-21 lead. The teams finally started to score with some consistency in the second half of the second quarter and Würzburg scored at the buzzer and led 33-31 at intermission.
Würzburg drained back-to-back three-pointers early in the third quarter and grabbed the biggest lead of the game thus far at 41-32. Würzburg added three more triples and the cushion extended the cushion to 14 points - 53-39. Oldenburg also hit twice from long range to get within 56-47. But the guests were still down 59-49 after 30 minutes.
Würzburg tallied the first 10 points of the fourth quarter and the advantage swelled to 20 points - 69-49. Oldenburg were not ready to hand over the win and scored the next seven points to trim the deficit to 13 points - 69-56 with 6 minutes to go. Oldenburg cut the gap to 10 points at 75-65 with under 3 minutes to play. Darius Perry answered with a three-pointer for the hosts only to have Geno Grandall convert two free throws and a layup and the guests were within 78-69. Grandall added a layup but Javon Bess hit a dagger three-pointer for an 81-71 lead with 50 seconds left.
Numbers Please: Würzburg came into the game with the fifth-most three-pointers made at 10.6 per game and the hosts made 14 triples on 40.0 percent shooting. In addition, Würzburg’s second-best scoring defense in the league held strong, especially limiting the guests to just 25.0 percent three-point shooting. Oldenburg missed their first 15 three-pointers and were 1-of-18 from long range at one point.
Player of the Game: Otis Livingston was Würzburg’s leading weapon with 19 points including 3 three-pointers to go with 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.
The Germans: Würzburg’s Collin Welp continued his strong form with 14 points - the fourth straight game in double figures - and he had 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Max Ugrai added 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. Oldenburg’s Len Schoormann was second on the team in scoring with 13 points to go with 1 rebound, 3 assists and 1 steal and Norris Agbakoko added 6 points and 7 rebounds.
Also Newsworthy: Oldenburg had dominated the all-time series with Würzburg with a 16-6 record. Würzburg were just 3-8 at home against the northern Germans, including just one victory in six games since 2017.
Also Newsworthy Part II: Würzburg announced shortly before the game the addition of Emmanuel Little until the end of the season. The 24-year-old wing arrived from Szolnok in Hungary and will help replace the injured Zac Seljaas.
What's Up Next: Würzburg are done with 2023 and the first game in 2024 will be on the road at Tigers Tübingen on Monday January 8. Oldenburg will open the 2024 calendar year with a home game against Telekom Baskets Bonn on Sunday January 7.
Video: Highlights of this game will be available soon on Dyn's website or here on Dyn's YouTube channel.
Anmerkung: In der Saison 2023/24 werden wie hier auch gelegentlich Nachberichte in englischer Sprache verfasst.
Note: During the 2023-24 season, there will occasionally be game reports published in English.
