Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart secured the top position in the preliminary round of the Basketball Super League after a thrilling match against the Swans Gmunden, winning 80-77. The game featured intense back-and-forth action, with key performances from Robert Allen, who scored 31 points, and Siegfried ‘Ziggy’ Reid, who contributed 23. Gunners’ coach Matthew Otten praised the team’s strong first half, while captain Sebastian Käferle acknowledged Gmunden’s comeback efforts. Oberwart will face the Swans again on March 1.
Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart Clinch Top Spot in Preliminary Round
The Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart triumphed in a thrilling final match of the preliminary round against the Swans Gmunden, securing their position at the top of the standings.
Intense Matchup in the Basketball Super League
In the concluding round of the Basketball Super League’s preliminary stage, the Gunners faced off against the Swans Gmunden, who were vying for a higher playoff seed. The Swans kicked off the game with a three-pointer from Joseph Reece, but Oberwart quickly responded as Jonathan Knessl netted a long-range shot to take an early lead (3:4). The Gunners managed to extend their advantage to 6:13 midway through the first quarter.
Despite their initial struggles, the Swans fought back with two three-pointers from Siegfried ‘Ziggy’ Reid, who brought the score to 12:18. However, Oberwart continued to match their scoring efforts, showcasing a significant improvement in their shooting performance compared to the previous week. The quarter concluded with Daniel Friedrich of Gmunden hitting a buzzer-beater to tie the game at 21:21.
As the second quarter unfolded, Robert Allen reignited Oberwart’s momentum, and Reece quickly countered with another three-pointer. Quincy Diggs tied the game at 24:24, but Allen’s back-to-back three-pointers propelled the Gunners back into the lead. His impressive performance thrilled the traveling fans, bringing the score to 32:36. As the Gunners dominated the quarter, Ziggy Reid’s layup put them ahead at halftime with a score of 40:49, marking a pivotal moment in the match.
Thrilling Finish and Gunners’ Victory
The third quarter maintained a competitive atmosphere, with the Gunners initially extending their lead to double digits. The Swans, however, made crucial shots to narrow the gap, with the quarter ending at 58:68 in favor of Oberwart.
The final quarter proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions, as both teams encountered errors and the Swans began to close the gap. A three-pointer from Lukas Schartmüller brought the Swans within one point (69:70). Reid’s free throws provided the Gunners with some breathing room, but the tension remained high. With only a minute left, Khalil Miller equalized for Gmunden (77:77), but Caleb Fields responded with a decisive three-pointer, sealing the victory for Oberwart at 77:80.
Top scorers for the Gunners included Allen with 31 points, followed by Reid with 23. For the Swans, Friedrich led with 23 points, while Miller contributed 14.
Post-Game Reflections
Matthew Otten, head coach of the Gunners, expressed pride in his team’s performance: “We maintained control for three quarters. The fourth quarter was challenging as the crowd energized the Swans. Despite this, our strong first half helped secure the win, boosting our confidence.”
Team captain Sebastian Käferle added, “Congratulations to Gmunden for their comeback. The first half was crucial for our victory, and although we felt fatigued in the fourth quarter, we managed to clinch the win.”
With this victory, the Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart finished the preliminary round in first place, setting the stage for their upcoming matchup against the Swans again on Saturday, March 1, at 5:30 PM in Oberwart.