Art titans persistently failing to exorcise ethereal enigma in Dusseldorf
In a closely contested match, the ART Giants suffered a second consecutive narrow defeat in the Basketball Bundesliga Pro A, losing by one point (70-69) to the Jobstairs Gießen 46ers at home on Saturday, 11th March.
The Giants, who have been struggling to avoid the "relegation ghost," were led by center Lennart Boner, who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds. CJ Anderson, Booker Coplin, Chris Rollins, and Ryan Richmond also contributed with 10 points each, while Mark Gebhardt scored 5 points, Jamar Hollowell scored 3 points, and Alexander Möller scored 2 points. Unfortunately, Daniel Mayr did not score for the Giants.
Despite missing opportunities to extend their lead, the Jobstairs Gießen 46ers, who are currently the seventh team in the table, stayed competitive. The visitors' efforts were hindered when Nico Brauner, one of their key players, injured his foot and had to leave the game.
The game developed into a close match, with the Giants showing more fighting spirit. The quarters ended with scores of 22:19, 10:19, 17:15, and 20:17, respectively. The hosts took control in the early minutes, building an eight-point lead (13:5).
Notably, the Giants' top scorers, Coplin and Richmond, struggled in their three-point shooting against the 46ers. Coplin made only one of six attempts, while Richmond failed to score from beyond the arc in three attempts.
The Giants had recovered well from their last-second loss in Tübingen, playing more composed against the 46ers. However, they struggled to convert their second or third chances, contributing to the close score. Andrius Mikutis was not used in the game.
The defeat keeps the ART Giants in the relegation zone, as they continue their struggle to avoid the "relegation ghost." The team, which has faced challenges this season due to the departure of key players and changes in coaching staff, will aim to bounce back in their next game.
The ART Giants, who are determined to evade the "relegation ghost," showcased their passion for sports, particularly basketball, in their narrow 70-69 loss against the Jobstairs Gießen 46ers. Lennart Boner, the team's lead player, demonstrated his skills with a double-double performance, scoring 10 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.
