GER – Machowski’s men take upper hand against Artland

ARTLAND (Beko BBL) - The race to the title is well underway in Germany’s Beko BBL and the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig will be thinking they have as good a chance as any team to win it all after taking a 2-1 series lead against the Artland Dragons.

The New Yorker Phantoms won Game 3 at Artland, 79-64, after getting 21 points from Brandon Thomas, 14 from Kyle Visser and 11 from Uros Dvunjak.

“I am delighted with the victory in this enormously important third game,” said New Yorker Phantoms coach Sebastian Machowski.

“My praise for the victory in itself and also the way in which it was fought, goes to the team.

“I hope we keep our newfound aggression and decisive victory on Tuesday before a home crowd.”

Artland coach Stefan Koch said: “The game started strong for us but then our intensity dropped and Braunschweig’s rose.

“I'm sorry for the fans here that created a great atmosphere.”

Artland were led by Bryan Bailey’s 20 points while Tyrese Rice contributed 17 and Nathan Peavy weighed in with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

EWE Baskets Oldenburg had a do-or-die game against eight-time Beko BBL champions Alba Berlin and stayed alive with a 99-86 triumph in Game 3.

Oldenburg scored 32 points in the fourth quarter of that clash.

EWE Baskets were led by former NBA player Eddie Gill, who had 27 points, while Ricky Paulding poured in 24 and Mindaugas Lukauskis 19.

Alba got 19 from Julius Jenkins.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners completed a 3-0 sweep of BG Göttingen, winning Game 3, 82-59.

DaShaun Wood had 19 points in the triumph and Roger Powell added 15 and Pascal Roller 14.

Brose Baskets Bamberg also swept Eisbären Bremerhaven, wrapping up that first-round series with an 86-58 victory.

Rising Germany national team star Tibor Pleiss led six Bamberg players in double-figures scoring with 16 points.

FIBA