Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart triumphed over the BBC Nord Dragonz in a thrilling Burgenland derby, winning 87-82. The match featured a fast start by the Gunners, who led 29-18 at the end of the first quarter. Despite a strong comeback by the Dragonz, who took the lead in the third quarter, Oberwart secured victory with key free throws. Allen led the Gunners with 26 points, while Hadzifejzovic scored 24 for the Dragonz. Oberwart now tops the Superliga standings.
Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart Triumph in Intense Burgenland Derby
The Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart emerged victorious in a thrilling Burgenland derby, defeating the BBC Nord Dragonz with a close score of 87-82. Both teams took fans on an emotional ride throughout the match.
Fast-Paced Start for the Gunners
On Friday night, the Oberwart sports hall was buzzing as the Gunners, currently second in the standings, faced off against the seventh-placed Dragonz from Eisenstadt. Sponsored by Burgenland Energy, the atmosphere was electric as the Gunners kicked off the game with an explosive start.
Within just three minutes, the scoreboard read 16-3 in favor of Oberwart, thanks to four impressive three-pointers, two of which came from Jonathan Knessl. The Dragonz struggled to find their rhythm, with Lukas Hahn being their only scorer from beyond the arc early on. By the five-minute mark, the Gunners had built a commanding 21-5 lead.
However, the Dragonz showed resilience and began to tighten their defense, slowly gaining control as the first quarter came to a close. Despite their efforts, the Gunners maintained their lead, ending the quarter at 29-18 after Peter Turay sank two free throws.
Intense Back-and-Forth Battle
As the second quarter unfolded, the Dragonz continued to chip away at the Gunners’ lead, prompting coach Matthew Otten to call a timeout at 33-27. Despite the break, Oberwart struggled to regain their momentum. A layup by Hahn brought Eisenstadt within a point at 33-32, leading Otten to call another timeout.
This time, the timeout was effective as Robert Allen and Caleb Fields helped the Gunners stretch their lead to 40-34. The Dragonz, however, remained relentless, with a three-pointer from Allen giving Oberwart a seven-point cushion before Turay closed the half with a dunk, bringing the score to 43-28.
The third quarter saw both teams fighting to score. After a lull, Allen broke the drought with free throws, but turnovers by the Gunners allowed the Dragonz to close in, with Jalen Green making it 47-46. As the game progressed, the once one-sided affair transformed into a nail-biting showdown, with the Dragonz taking their first lead at 52-54.
With the game now hanging in the balance, a series of dramatic plays unfolded, including a buzzer-beater from Hahn that sent the teams into the final stretch with the Dragonz leading 56-59.
In the climactic moments, both teams exchanged leads, and crucial three-pointers kept the fans on edge. Ultimately, it was Oberwart’s ability to execute under pressure that secured their victory, with Siegfried ‘Ziggy’ Reid sealing the deal with two free throws, finalizing the score at 87-82.
Player Highlights and Upcoming Matches
Key contributors for the Gunners included Allen with 26 points and 12 rebounds, followed by Reid with 13 points. The Dragonz saw standout performances from Hadzifejzovic with 24 points and Green with 18.
Following this exciting derby win, Oberwart now sits at the top of the Superliga table, tied on points with the Swans Gmunden and the Flyers Wels. The BBC Nord Dragonz remain in seventh place, four points shy of UBSC Graz in sixth.
Looking ahead, the Gunners will face another derby in Fürstenfeld on Sunday at 5 PM, while the Dragonz will travel to play against the Traiskirchen Lions at 6 PM. Both teams are set to return home for their next matches on Saturday, February 8, with Oberwart hosting the Traiskirchen Lions at 5:30 PM, and the Dragonz welcoming BC Vienna starting at 6 PM.