ALBA hold off Bakken Bears thanks to second-half surge / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Alba Berlin Credit Alba Berlin

Almost three weeks before the German BBL start, reigning champs ALBA Berlin downed the Bakken Bears 84-75 (27-13, 14-28, 21-17, 22-17) in a pre-season friendly game held in Oranienburg.

The newly-formed team of coach Israel Gonzalez, who took the reins from his legendary countryman Aito Garcia Reneses, had a tough time against the 19-time Danish champions who will play in the 2021-22 Basketball Champions League qualifiers later this month.

Luka Sikma led the way with 19 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals, Thiemann added 16 points and dished 4 assists, Zoosman had 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, while Schneider put up 13. Koumadje, Lammers, and Nikic didn't play due to injury, Olinde was out on the coach's decision.

ALBA got off on the right foot, building a double-digit lead early on, up until the end of the first quarter which found the German team with a 14-point advantage (27-13). Things changed drastically from that point forward, as Bakken Bears responded with a 14-28 scoring run and tied the game at 41 points at half-time.

Sikma kept leading ALBA offensively, Zoosman and Thiemann provided some extra firepower and the Germans gained total control of the game in the second half to get the win.

ALBA Berlin: Sikma 19, Thiemann 16, Zoosman, Schneider 13, Blatt 8, Delow 6, Erikkson 4, Smith 3, Lo 2.

Bakken Bears: Bartley 23, Taylor 14, Jackson 10, Diouf 8, Evans, Jukic 6, Ongwae 5, Darboe 3.

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