Unger Steel Gunners suffered a tough defeat against Traiskirchen Lions in the cup quarter-finals, hampered by injuries to key players. Despite a strong start, the Gunners struggled in the second quarter, allowing the Lions to gain a commanding lead. Although they attempted a comeback in the final quarter, Traiskirchen maintained their advantage, winning 76:62. With the cup behind them, the Gunners are now focusing on their upcoming championship match against UBSC Graz.
Unger Steel Gunners Face Tough Loss in Cup Quarter-Finals
The Unger Steel Gunners, currently leading the championship table, faced a challenging match in the cup quarter-finals against the Traiskirchen Lions. With crucial players like Robert Allen and Jonathan Knessl sidelined, the Oberwart basketball team found it difficult to compete effectively.
Injury Woes and a Rocky Start
OBERWART / TRAISKIRCHEN. The Unger Steel Gunners were not spared from the recent wave of illness that affected their roster. In addition to Allen and Knessl being absent, Daniel Köppel only participated in warm-ups, and captain Sebastian Käferle was also under the weather. The scenario did not bode well for the Gunners as they prepared to face the Lions in Traiskirchen.
The match began with the Lions taking the upper hand, quickly establishing a lead. The Gunners fought back to tie the score at 8:8, but Traiskirchen regained control shortly thereafter. Just under two minutes before the end of the first quarter, the Gunners surged ahead, closing the quarter with a 15:20 advantage.
Complete Turnaround in the Second Quarter
The second quarter proved disastrous for the Oberwart squad. Scoring only nine points in ten minutes, the Gunners struggled as the Lions exploded for 26 points. Traiskirchen took the lead at 23:22 and held on tight, extending their advantage with a flurry of three-point shots. By halftime, the score stood at 41:29 in favor of the Lions.
After the intermission, the Lions maintained their aggressive approach. Although the Gunners managed to limit the scoring to 26:14 in this quarter, it became clear that the match outcome was already determined. Benedikt Güttl and his teammates continued to impress with their long-range shooting, pushing the score to 67:43 after 30 minutes.
Gunners Attempt a Comeback
In the final quarter, the Oberwart team showed signs of improvement. With better shooting accuracy, ‘Ziggy’ Reid contributed with some crucial long-range baskets, narrowing the gap to just ten points (68:58) midway through the quarter. However, a timely three-pointer by Aleksej Kostic thwarted the Gunners’ momentum.
As the clock ticked down, the Otten boys missed several opportunities to score, while Traiskirchen capitalized on their free throws and maintained a higher shooting percentage. Ultimately, the Lower Austrians secured a well-deserved 76:62 victory, earning a spot in the Final Four in Graz.
Top Scorers for the Gunners: Reid 18, Fields 12, Käferle 11, F. Köppel 10, Patekar 9, Diggs 2
Top Scorers for the Lions: Kostic 23, Güttl 14, Moffat 12, Russel 11, Krestinin 5, Lanegger-Rest 3, Oguamalam 3, Hofstädter 3, Haskin 2
Reactions from the Game
“This defeat stings. We had players capable of performing at a high level but squandered the first half. With our full roster, I believe we could have won, but we didn’t take the game seriously enough in the beginning,” said Matthew Otten, Head Coach of the Gunners.
“Traiskirchen played exceptionally well today, especially with their shooting from beyond the arc. We gave it our all and fought hard, but in the end, Traiskirchen earned their victory,” added Florian Köppel, a player for the Gunners.
Looking Ahead: Championship Focus
With the cup competition behind them, the Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart are now concentrating on the championship in Graz. They are set to face UBSC Graz on Monday, January 6, at 7 PM. After being eliminated in the cup quarter-finals by BBC Nord Dragonz, the Graz team will be spectators at the cup Final Four in their own arena.
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