The season for the Frankfurt Skyliners continues to drag on as the days and games become longer with every new loss. The club could easily have 10 wins now, but in the end all that counts is the score at the end of 40 or even 45 minutes. The last 2 games in the Skyliner living room were tough loses that they should of won, but allowed to get away against Rostock in overtime and a buzzer beater against Rasta Vechta sealing their fate. Could 3 be a charm? Well against Wurzburg, they definitely had their work cut out for them as they weren´t only facing one of the massive surprise teams of the season, but one of the top 4 best of the season. They came to Frankfurt seemingly in post season mode as they had a 5 game winning streak and wanted to continue it. They had disposed of ratiopharm Ulm and the ever more improved Alba Berlin. It was the last home game of the season for Frankfurt and they definitely wanted to end it on a positive note for their fans. On a beautiful warm spring day, the living room of the Skyliners was packed and the loudness in the arena was breathtaking, but after 40 minutes, it was Wurzburg that had come out victorious thanks to the explosive and magnificent performance of ex Kentucky (NCAA) wild cat Davion Mintz (191-G-1998, college: Kentucky, agency: Octagon Europe). The ex G-League player scored a BBL career high of 28 points and hit big shot after big shot including in closing time powering his team past the Skyliners 85-70. “Key for us getting the win was just staying locked in the whole time. We limited them getting to the paint area and just trusted our preparation and executing our sets. Being patient and not rushing was a big focus for us going into the game and we executed that well as well”, stressed North Carolina native Davion Mintz. The Skyliners were reeling for a win again in their own living room and after 2 heart breaking loses, but on this warm afternoon, they just couldn´t match the physicality and conditioning of Wurzburg. They had to play catch up basketball and never was able to get over the hump. “They had some really strong players that could make shots off the dribble and just big plays. We fought hard until the end, but it just wasn´t enough”, stressed Skyliner guard Garai Zeeb.

Zac Seljaas at the FT line

The game began with a high intensity on the defensive end as both teams produced stops and turnovers. Ex G-League player Marcus Domask got the Skyliners on the score board first with a trey, but ex BYU (NCAA) forward Zac Seljaas dead locked the game with a trey at 3-3. Wurzburg then got the lead with free throws by ex Skyliner Lukas Wank and a trey by Jhivvan Jackson to give the guests the 11-7 advantage. Wurzburg would never trail again as they managed the lead well and at times were fortunate that Frankfurt couldn´t execute better. They got the bigs involved inside and had open looks, but shots just didn´t want to fall. Luckily for Frankfurt, they had walking 1-1 bucket Malik Parsons who would hit big shots all day long including a 25 footer at this juncture as Frankfurt trailed 11-9. However Wurzburg also had some incredible 1-1 players to match Parsons with not only Davion Mintz and Jackson, but also ex Duquesne (NCAA) guard Mike Lewis who made a runner in traffic as if he was on a Sunday stroll. Another big weapon of Wurzburg on this day was their bench. German Maxi Ugrai stepped up big time in the latter part of the first quarter draining consecutive three´s for the 19-11 lead after 10 minutes. “Our bench helped us 100% today. Ugrai hit a big shot in the second half a few games ago and here he stepped up again. He makes these kind of shots in practice as well”, stated Davion Mintz. The Wurzburg Baskets shot 50% from the field and 57% from outside and had 6 rebounds and 3 turnovers while the Skyliners shot 42% from the field and 14% from outside and had 8 rebounds and 6 turnovers.

Marcus Domask at the FT line

In the second quarter the Wurzburg Baskets continued to control the game and led by as much as 15 points as their 1-1 qualities was too much for the Skyliners as ultimately they trailed by 8 points at half-time. Both clubs began with mini runs as Wurzburg got 5 points as Lewis dropped a trey and German Hannes Steinbach who will play at Washington (NCAA) next season made a lay in as ex Goetingen forward Aubrey Dawkins earned the dime off a nifty touch pass, but Frankfurt punched back with back to back lay in´s by Parsons and ex Euroleague player Jordan Theodore, but Wurzburg still had good control leading 24-16. But Wurzburg never got discouraged by little Frankfurt offensive spurts, but always rebounded on offense as they went on a 11-4 run to lead 35-20. In the run, the guests received vital support from Seljaas and Mintz from down town and Jackson added 4 points. Frankfurt had difficulty keeping the Wurzburg shooters in check and continued to have weak offensive execution. However basketball is a game of runs and the Skyliners closed out the first half strong going on a 15-5 run to trail only 40-32. In the run, the Skyliners were led by Jordan Theodore who remained his aggressive self scoring 6 points with 4 free throws. The Skyliners also found some fortune from the parking lot as Parsons and Canadian David Muenkat hit shots. Wurzburg continued to get great input from Mintz as he was a walking bucket contributing 5 points to keep his team ahead. “We played good defense and just got stops. We hit more shots on the offensive end. We continued to do a good job limiting them getting to the rim”, added Davion Mintz. The Wurzburg Baskets shot 46% from the field and 50% from the three point line and had 15 rebounds and 6 turnovers while the Skyliners shot 43% from the field and 20% from the three point line and had 17 rebounds and 8 turnovers.

Jhivvan Jackson from outside

In the third quarter the Wurzburg Baskets continued to manage the lead very well as they never allowed the Skyliners to get under 8 points as the Bavarian team led 62-50 after 30 minutes. This would be the quarter of Mintz as he steered 11 points home and began with a step back jumper that looked so effortlessly while Lithuanian forward Einaras Tubutis made a lay in as Domask made the nice flick to him. Frankfurt didn´t get many easy lay in´s, but usually were contested shots. Wurzburg was always on the prowl for the next run and struck gold going on a 11-1 run to break open the game leading 53-35. In the run, it was Mintz who hit 2 three pointers, Zeljaas also connected from outside and Jackson made an off balance shot. Frankfurt had problems finding an offensive rhythm while the Wurzburg Baskets truly looked like a well oiled offensive machine. However Frankfurt continued to get chances and use them as they went on a 9-0 run to trail 53-44. In the run, the Skyliners did a fine job getting into the paint as Tubutis and Muenkat made lay in´s and Theodore reached the free throw line. The Skyliners also heightened their defensive pressure and got 2 blocks by Parsons on Steinbach. However Wurzburg found their offensive rhythm again and began to hit three´s again as Lewis made one in Tubuti´s face while Mintz hit one over Knauf for the 59-46 lead. Frankfurt struck back with a Kamaka Hepa trey to trail 59-49. But Frankfurt just couldn´t get stops and continued to have problems guarding their shooters better. Hannes Steinbach closed out the quarter with a lay in for the 12 point lead. The Wurzburg Baskets shot 50% from the field and 57% from the parking lot and had 22 rebounds and 9 turnovers while the Skyliners shot 46% from the field and 19% from the parking lot and had 23 rebounds and 12 turnovers. “I was able to carry my team. I have a lot of trust in my game as I have put a lot of time working on my game. I knew I would play well when I saw a few go in. But I also have to thank my coaches and players that have a lot of trust in me. When Jackson is Harassed with the ball, it ´s my time to step up”, smiled Davion Mintz. “We wanted to force Mintz to get to the hoop, but instead he found ways to hit the three”, commented Garai Zeeb.

Malik Parson with the jumper

In the fourth quarter the Skyliners made one more push with a run cutting the guests lead down to 6 points, but the Wurzburg Baskets retaliated going on the last run of the game to decide the game. Frankfurt began the fourth quarter motivated and went on a lethal 11-5 run to cut the Wurzburg lead down to 67-61. In the run, the Skyliners got massive production from Parsons who put his fine 1-1 play on display scoring on 2 drives while Muenkat was efficient scoring 5 points including a trey and Theodore made a lay with only 5,23 to play in the contest. “They went on a run. Parsons got loose and Theodore got to the free throw line. That hurt us. We let up a bit. This run almost changed the momentum”, said Davion Mintz. Frankfurt had a little momentum, but couldn´t keep it as the Wurzburg Baskets slapped back going on a 11-5 run to lead 78-66 and decide the game. In the run, it was Mintz and Seljaas that nailed cold blooded three´s while Jackson saw some daylight making a lay in. Wurzburg was helped with a few offensive rebounds that kept the plays alive leading to the three´s. Tubutis was aggressive for Frankfurt adding 4 points. Time was running out and Theodore made a lay to cut Wurzburg´s lead down to 78-68. But Wurzburg didn´t have any more lapses as they closed out the game with a 7-2 run. Steinbach made a lay in, Wank free throws and Mintz a step back jumper as he finished with 28 points. “It was closing time and it was time to make shots. That is what we get paid for”, warned Davion Mintz. “He made good shots off the dribble. We gave him too much room”, said Garai Zeeb-. Frankfurt closed out the game with a nice Lorenz Brenneke dunk from the back door pass from Marcus Domask, but it was too little too late. “We came back well. Mintz decided the game. He made the right decisions and plays”, said Garai Zeeb. The Wurzburg Baskets were led by Davion Mintz with 28 points while Jhivvan Jackson added 14 points and Zac Seljaas 13 points while the Skyliners were led by Malik Parsons with 17 points while Jordan Theodore added 16 points and Einaras Tubutis 15 points. The Wurzburg Baskets shot 47% from the field and 60% from outside and had 33 rebounds and 14 turnovers while the Skyliners shot 49% from the field and 21% from outside and had 29 rebounds and 17 turnovers.