Malik Riddle (193-G-1999, college: HSU) is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Tennessee playing his second professional season and first in Germany with Pro B team RheinStars Cologne. Last season he played with Gzira Athleta Birkirkara (Malta-BOV League D1) averaging 28.8ppg, 9.4rpg, 3.9apg, Steals-3 (2.6spg), FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 33.1%, FT: 75.5%. He began his basketball career at Rossville Christian Academy. He then played 2 seasons at Morehead State University (NCAA) and then played 3 seasons at Henderson State University (NCAA2). He teams up withgermanhoops.com every week to talk basketball.

Congrats on the big 84-81 win over Ehingen. It was the third win in a row and third win in row where you won with a few points. How much longer are these consecutive crunch time wins go?

Big win for us for sure, and I don’t know just glad we are figuring out a way to win in these crunch time games. Shows that we can lock in as a team and finish strong.

You have won 5 close games and lost only once. How do you explain this incredible knack of being able to win at the end?

We try not to panic and just stay calm and try to focus on what we want to execute during those moments.

The RheinStars Cologne had the comfortable 45-37 lead at the break. What was key for having the solid lead?

I think in the first half we did a good job of getting stops on the other end which led to some good transition baskets.

Stephan Baeck took a time out at the 6,48 minute mark of the fourth quarter stopping Ehingen´s lightening start to the fourth quarter as they tied the game 70-70. What advice did he give the team?

Stephan told us to pick it up on the defensive end his biggest focus is for us to be aggressive on defense and get some stops.

Talk about the last seconds and Jannis Von Seckendorf´s dunk. You guys had the lead, but how thrilling was that dunk?

It was great to see him get that dunk. Felt like we solidified that win with that dunk.

You didn´t have a good shooting night and had only 2 points. How do you recover from a game like this?

No I didn’t some nights be like that even for the best players in the world. I just have to move on and lock in for the next game. And focus on my effort being better.

You next play Oberaching who you beat 90-86 a few weeks ago. What will the team have to be more aware of this time?

I think we just have to be better at boxing out as well as no easy baskets or paint touches.

Thanks Malik for the chat.