After a tough defensive battle and bitter loss in Bamberg, the Frankfurt Skyliners returned back home sprouting a 1-1 record. Frankfurt is a relatively young team and are still finding themselves while showcasing a explosive guard duo with Try Calvin and Malik Parsons. They welcomed 0-3 team MBC, but they had to be ready as this club was reeling for that first win. The club from Weissenfels was still searching for their defensive identity and rhythm as in the last 2 games had allowed an average of more than a 100 points. Ex Skyliner Akeem Vargas was back in his old living room while John Bryant was also on the floor which is always a delight to observe since you never know how much longer a 37 old can play. MBC needed a big reaction in Frankfurt and had it really buckling down on defense having a night and day reaction in comparison to the last game against Rostock winning 79-69. It also didn´t hurt getting a precision shooting day from sniper Spencer Reaves (191-SG-1995, college: Central Mo.) and a great game from veteran 36 year old Tyren Johnson who filled the stat sheet like a young buck. “We knew that we needed a reaction. We came into the game as the most efficient offensive team, but also gave up the most points in the league. It was really important for us to hold Frankfurt to 69 points. We defended very well and were very physical in the paint area”, stressed MBC guard Spencer Reaves. The Frankfurt Skyliners had good stretches in the game, but for the most part had to play catch up basketball. They were in it in crunch-time, but a costly turnover and an offensive rebound and put back from MBC paved the road for the guests to the win. “We didn´t play with enough energy and they played harder. Our communication wasn´t good on defense. We have to move the ball better so we can find better ways to execute and find better shots”, stressed Garai Zeeb.

Ed Croswell at the FT line

On a cool Sunday afternoon only 3,500 fans came out to support the Frankfurt Skyliners. Frankfurt got on the board first with a bucket from American Ed Croswell in the paint and gave Frankfurt the 3-0 advantage. But that didn’t phase the guests as they raced on a lethal 7-0 run as Tyren Johnson added 5 points with a three pointer and American Ty Brewer who played at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (NCAA) made a big dunk after getting a steal. Sniper Spencer Reaves showed that he can do a lot more than just shoot to make an impact as he made an offensive rebound and steal in the run. “We wanted to crash the boards and play tough defense”, stated Spencer Reaves. Frankfurt came back getting 2 baskets inside from ex Alba Berlin center Lorenz Brenneke and Lithuanian big man Einaras Tubutis as Frankfurt opted to attack inside with the bigs and were successful as Frankfurt led 10-8. But the guests got the lead back and held it after one quarter with 15-14. Weissenfels also attacked the paint getting baskets from American Charles Callison who played at Washington State University (NCAA) and German Aleksa Kovacevic who got a quick back door pass from Big man and 2 time BBL MVP John Bryant who continues to be a very underrated passer.”Bryant is a legend. It is always cool to paly against him. He still does little things that helps a team”, stressed Garai Zeeb. Ivan Tkachenko who last played with SC Prometey Kamianske (Lat-Est BL) showed his athleticism making a thunderous dunk. “Both teams didn´t shoot well. We couldn´t find a flow on offense, so we tried to reward ourselves on the defensive end”, stated Spencer Reaves.

David Muenkat fro 3

In the second quarter the Syntainics MBC took control of the game executing better on offense and tightening up better on defense to lead 39-28 at half-time. The guests raced out on a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 23-15. In the lead it was Spencer Reaves doing what he does best which is shooting out the lights as he made a trey, lay in and free throw while John Bryant also made a lay in. Frankfurt weren´t moving well without the ball which didn´t allow good ball movement. Frankfurt opted for 1-1 play and were shut down well by the physical MBC defense. Ex Augsburg (NCAA3) guard Booker Coplin stopped the run with a timely three pointer, but MBC still led 23-18. Reaves continued to be super aggressive and scored 5 unanswered points all scored on free throws as Frankfurt trailed 29-18. Frankfurt then got some energy with Tubutis free throws and a clutch trey from Canadian David Muentkat as Frankfurt continued to chip away, but still trailed 29-23. But on this day, Frankfurt would have little opportunities to show their consistency as up and down could have been their middle name. The Syntainics MBC closed out the second quarter in a potent manner going on a 10-5 run to have the comfortable lead at the break. MBC showed that they could get suitable support from many guys as Ivan Tkachenko supplied 5 points from the bench with a trey and easy lay in as Frankfurt couldn´t stop his speed as their 1-1 defense continued to be non existent. Reaves sunk a catch and pop three pointer and Johnson chugged to the rim and scored a lay in as his big body gave Frankfurt problems all day to contain. “Frankfurt is very good at starting their possessions. We did a good job exploiting the switches to get the defense moving. That makes it tougher to generate ball movement. We tried to throw extra wrinkles when they switched”, stated Spencer Reaves. The Syntainics MBC shot 46% from the field and 24% from outside and had 16 rebounds and 7 turnovers while the Frankfurt Skyliners shot 32% from the field and 36% from outside and had 17 rebounds and 10 turnovers.

John Bryant with the tap in

In the third quarter the Frankfurt Skyliners showed a reaction early, but couldn´t get over the hump as Weissenfels led by 7 points after 30 minutes despite it being Frankfurt´s best scoring quarter with 25 points. Frankfurt began with a lightening 8-0 run as ex Wright State (NCAA) guard Trey Calvin and ex Ulm big Christoph Philipps made back to back three´s and Coplin made a lay in as Frankfurt trailed 39-36. Johnson and Coplin then traded three´s and Calvin made a pull up jumper to dead lock the game at 42-42. Coplin continued to be hot stroking home another three pointer as Frankfurt led 45-44. But Frankfurt couldn´t play more consistent defense as they allowed a brutal 10-2 run by Weissenfels as they led 54-47. In the run it was the Bryant and Reaves show as their veteran leadership and production sparkled. You just can´t go wrong with Reaves shooting ability and Bryant´s high IQ. In the run, Reaves nailed 2 three´s while Bryant made a tap in off a pretty Reaves lob pass and Brewer made a lay in. “MBC does a good job to find Reaves. He moves very well without the ball. One second he has the ball and then it´s in the basket again”, expressed Garai Zeeb. Frankfurt kept fighting and got some vital baskets from ex Schwenningen center Jacob Knauf who scored with his left hand inside and Parsons made a lay in to cut MBC´s advantage to 59-53. Frankfurt turnovers down the stretch didn´t help their come back attempt trailing 60-53. “We came out sloppy and let our offense effect our defense in a negative way. If you give Frankfurt the chance to execute their offense, then they will. We have to limit them more in their offense. But we did a good job fighting back and keeping the lead”, added Spencer Reaves. “We had a good start, but couldn´t hold the energy. We weren´t consistent enough”, said Garai Zeeb. The Syntainics shot 51% from the field and 40% from the three point line and had 19 rebounds and 11 turnovers while the Frankfurt Skyliners shot 44% from the field and 47% from outside and had 24 rebounds and 5 turnovers.

Ty Brewer at the FT line

The Syntainics MBC continued to keep the lead in the fourth quarter and just did a good job managing their lead and executing well at both ends. Coplin began the fourth quarter with a thunderous dunk from the wing and Johnson made a lay in as Weissenfels led 62-55. Ed Croswell then scored on transition as Frankfurt trailed 62-57. Frankfurt then made 2 big stops packing the zone well, but couldn´t execute on offense. Ex Georgia Institute of Technology (NCAA) guard Michael Devoe then made a clutch three pointer for the 65-58 lead. But Frankfurt never gave up but continued to fight and defended aggressively and got 2 key baskets from Tubutis as Frankfurt trailed 67-62. After free throws from German Martin Breunig, Frankfurt connected with a Croswell lay in and Tubutis free throw to trail only 69-65. After a clutch 20 footer from Johnson, Frankfurt gót key input from Try Calvin as he scored twice inside to trail only 72-69 with 1,52 to play. Frankfurt was ready to make their move, but instead the turning point of the game came from the guests and not from Frankfurt. Breunig stole the ball from Coplin and Coplin made a flagrant foul at the 1,19 minute mark. Breunig made the free throw and then made a vital offensive rebound and put back for the 75-69 lead with 1,05 to play. “I was so tired at that point. Frankfurt always found ways to get close again. I was quick on the steal and anticipated well”, said Martin Breunig. That turn of events had totally paralyzed Frankfurt as the guests closed out the game with a 4-0 run as Callison made a lay in and Breunig scored again on transition to seal the win. “The turnover and offensive rebound and score was the turning point. We couldn´t make plays on offense or defense against Rostock, but today we could. You have to be able to play defense on the road and didn´t let the crowd get to us”, stated Spencer Reaves. “You can´t blame Booker on that play. It was just bitter that it happened at the end”, said Garai Zeeb. The Syntainics MBC were led by Spencer Reaves with 20 points while Tyren Johnson added 18 points while the Frankfurt Skyliners were led by Malik Parsons and Booker Coplin who had 13 points a piece. The Syntainics MBC shot 46% from the field and 36% from outside and had 27 rebounds and 12 turnovers while the Frankfurt Skyliners shot 48% from the field and 38% from outside and had 33 rebounds and 21 turnovers.