MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg advance to last eight despite home defeat

LUDWIGSBURG (Basketball Champions League) - MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg booked their spot in the Quarter-Finals despite falling to a 74-86 second leg home defeat to EWE Baskets Oldenburg.

The home side were unable to back up last week's dominant victory on the road, but advance with a 162-149 aggregate victory.

"I am proud of the guys," declared Ludwigsburg head coach John Patrick. "An 80-minute game every possession is important.

"I think the last 3 minutes of the first game was the key - that’s where we blew it open.

"Today we had a 'playing not to lose attitude' but credit to Oldenburg - they made a lot of outside shots and were a lot more aggressive."

On facing medi Bayreuth in the last eight, he added:

"It’s a credit to the German league to have two teams in the final eight - everybody knows each other and we’ll look forward to it."

Mickey McConnell top scored for Oldenburg with 18 points with three other players in double figures, while Frantz Massenat contributed 8 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

Ludwigsburg started strong and led by as many as 12 points at 37-25 in the second period. However, the visitors began to hit their stride and a deep three at the buzzer from McConnell cut the deficit to 48-46 at the half.

Rickey Paulding put Oldenburg ahead at the start of the third and they would open up a slender 62-65 advantage ahead of the final quarter.

The game was tied at 69-69 with less than six minutes remaining before an 8-2 burst saw Oldenburg gain control down the stretch and they quickly established a double-digit lead to see out the victory.