In their debut S. Oliver Baskets beat BC Azovmash 81-77, in Germany.
The 2012-13 Eurocup season started with a thriller between S. Oliver Baskets and Ukrainians BC Azovmash where the home trailed the entire game just to take the lead in the final 6 minutes to grab a first ever win by 4 points (81-77), in group D.
American player Dwayne Anderson led the way for the Germans with 19 points and 10 boards plus some crucial plays in the defensive end. John Little and Jimmy McKinney were the other players in double digits, crucial for the hosts to get the win.
For Azovmash, veteran Lynn Greer finished the game with 25 points well seconded by Miroslav Raduljica 20 points and ex NBA player Many Harris with 10 and a couple of boards.
BC Azovmash began this game in great style taking a 5 point lead in the early minutes because of a great oriented offense and dominating the defensive boards. The Ukrainians had the lead for most of the first half always in single digits, but near the end of the second quarter Anderson scored a three pointer to get the first lead of the game for Wurzburg’s (34-33).
In the second half, S. Oliver Baskets were supposed to come strong and create a gap with their fantastic home crowd cheering but Greer silenced the arena with 10 straight points to give his team the biggest lead of the game (52-41).
The Germans never got away, and made an amazing last 15 minutes of the game outscoring Azovmash (39-26) clinched with a free throw by Alex King to give a two possession game and a deserved win for the hosts, 81-77.
In the other game of this group D, Valencia Basket won easily their first game at Fuente De San Luis against Banvit BK Bandirma, 88-78.
Pau Ribas was the main man for the Spanish with 23 points and 4 assists followed by Rafa Martinez with 16 and big man Lishchuk with 14. For Bavit, Chuck Davis was the top scorer with 16 points and Sammy Mejia had a 14 and 8 game.
The key to this home victory was the early 12-0 run in the third quarter and a great percentage from 3 point, with 11 made.
