NINERS Chemnitz nearly wasted a 15-point lead but fended off MLP Academics Heidelberg 72-65 at home for an important victory in the battle for the playoffs. Olivier Nkamhoua came up with three big plays down the stretch for Chemnitz, who had lost three of the last four games but improved to 11-8. Nkamhoua finished with a team-high 16 points and Jeff Garrett added a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds. Heidelberg have dropped four of the last five and fell to 10-8. Osun Osunniyi paced the guests with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Game Summary: Heidelberg held Chemnitz scoreless for nearly 2 minutes early on and jumped ahead 10-2 and the gap was 13-4 midway through the first period. Chemnitz knocked down 3 three-pointers in a 12-2 run over nearly 4 minutes to take an 18-16 lead. NINERS were leading 23-19 after 10 minutes. Chemnitz’s defense held strong to start the second quarter and the hosts scored the first 11 points to lead 34-19. Heidelberg finally scored after more than 3 minutes and mounted a 12-2 run over 6 minutes to close the gap to 36-33. And the score was 38-33 at intermission.
Heidelberg would not let Chemnitz pull away with the difference going between three and five points for most of the third quarter. The guests trimmed it to 47-46 only to allow the next nine points as Chemnitz led again in double figures 56-46. And it was 58-48 after three quarters. Both teams struggled to score early in the final frame, needing nearly 2 minutes. Chemnitz extended the cushion to 65-51 with 6 minutes to go. Heidelberg made things interesting with a 12-2 surge to pull within 67-63. But Olivier Nkamhoua had a three-pointer, layup and blocked shot in the final 2 minutes to decide the game for the winners.
Numbers Please: Heidelberg shot just 35 percent for the game including 18 percent from long range.
Player of the Game: Olivier Nkamhoua led the winners in scoring with 16 points while also chipping in 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks. The Finnish international also had the two big scores and blocked shot in the closing moments.
The Germans: Nicholas Tischler tallied 8 points, 1 rebound and 2 blocks for Chemnitz, Eddy Edigin had 4 points and 3 rebounds and Jonas Richter contributed 2 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. At the other end, Mateo Seric had 4 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist for Heidelberg and Marcel Keßen added 3 points and 3 rebounds.
Also Newsworthy: Chemitz’s new addition Jacob Gilyard shined in his debut as the guard collected 6 points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists in 33 minutes. Gilyard stands just 1.75 meters and is currently the shortest player in the easyCredit BBL and the shortest in NINERS’ club history.
What's Up Next: Chemnitz’s next game will be on Sunday March 2 at home against FC Bayern Munich. Heidelberg also head into the FIBA break and they next return to the court on Sunday March 2 at home verse EWE Baskets Oldenburg.
Video: Highlights of this game will be available soon on Dyn's website or here on Dyn's YouTube channel.
Anmerkung: In der Saison 2024/25 werden wie hier auch gelegentlich Nachberichte in englischer Sprache verfasst.
Note: During the 2024-25 season, there will occasionally be game reports published in English.
