ALBA Berlin overcome Hamburg Towers in the last minute / News - Basketnews.com

ALBA Berlin overcame a tough opposition from Hamburg Towers behind Luke Sikma's 16-point effort.

Credit: Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images Credit Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

ALBA Berlin started the season in the German Basketball League (BBL) on a victorious note after beating Hamburg Towers 81-78 (26-25, 19-20, 20-18, 16-15) in the last minutes.

The teams battled back and forth throughout the entire match. After 37 minutes of basketball, the two clubs were tied at 74 with 3 minutes remaining.

Then, Yoeli Childs converted a tough layup to put Towers up by two (76-74). ALBA tried to answer both inside and outside the arc but couldn't hit the shots. However, Tim Schneider answered with an and-one and put the home team up by a single point with a minute to go (77-76).

After a successful defensive possession, Luke Sikma made an alley-opp layup to increase the lead to three (79-76) and forced an opponent timeout. Kendale McCullum answered with two free throws and the difference between the teams was a single point once again (79-78).

Jaleen Smith missed a contested jumper and Towers had the last chance but Childs made an ill-advised pass gifting the ball back to ALBA. Towers did not manage to foul any of their opponents' players until there were just 0.2 seconds left, and the team from Berlin started the BBL season victoriously.

Luke Sikma led ALBA with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists on 7-for-10 shooting. Louis Olinde and Jaleen Smith both added 14 points each.

Yoeli Childs was the top scorer on the Towers team with 18 points and 7 rebounds.

ALBA: Luke Sikma 16 (7/10 2PT, 6 REB, 7 AST), Louis Olinde 14 (4/10 2PT), Jaleen Smith 14 (4/9 2PT, 1/4 3PT, 6 AST), Tim Schneider 12 (3/6 3PT).

Towers: Yoeli Childs 18 (9/15 2PT, 7 REB), Kendale McCullum 12 (4/10 2PT, 7 AST), James Woodart 12, Marvin Clark II 10.

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