Austria – A Bundesliga Round 5: Furstenfeld Panthers lose to Raiffeisen Wels

DeJuanWright It’s still too early stage of the Regular Season in A Bundesliga, but even now we can clearly see the differece between stronger teams and outsiders. The biggest surprise took place in Wels where host Raiffeisen Wels (4-1) beat league’s leader Furstenfeld Panthers (3-2) 76-68 on Wednesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Furstenfeld Panthers. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The hosts started the game with a very strong first quarter 24-14. But Furstenfeld Panthers won third quarter 18-14. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Furstenfeld Panthers 37-22 including 27 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American guard DeJuan Wright (190-88, college: FIU) who scored 19 points and 6 rebounds. Slovenia forward Dejan Cigoja (205-88) chipped in 20 points. Croatia Marko Car (188-85) produced 25 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Raiffeisen Wels have a solid series of four victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Furstenfeld Panthers at the other side dropped to the fourth place with two games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Wels. Furstenfeld Panthers will play next round against Vienna trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Raiffeisen Wels will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked UBSC Graz on the road. Another exciting game was played in Klosterneuburg between seventh ranked UBSC Graz and 6th ranked Dukes where UBSC Graz (2-2) beat Dukes (1-3) on the road 73-67. Anton Maresch (191-91) orchestrated the victory by scoring 19 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Cameron Naylor contributed with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Center Jozo Rados (208-93) answered with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds for Dukes. UBSC Graz moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Arkadia. Dukes lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with three games lost. UBSC Graz will play against league’s leader Raiffeisen Wels at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Dukes will play against Arkadia Lions (#5) in Traiskirchen and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Vienna can celebrate their first win this season after four consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Kapfenberg Bulls (1-4) 93-58 on Wednesday. Sebastian Koch stepped up and scored 25 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Milan Stegnjaic responded with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Vienna left bottom position moving up to eighth place, which they share with Kapfenberg. It was Kapfenberg Bulls’ fourth loss in a row. Vienna will meet higher ranked Furstenfeld Panthers (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kapfenberg Bulls will have a break next round. The game in Oberwart was also worth to mention about. 4th placed Arkadia Lions (2-2) played at the court of fifth ranked Redwell Gunners Oberwart (3-1). Redwell Gunners Oberwart managed to secure a 8-point victory 81-73. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Arkadia Lions. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Chris McNealy nailed 21 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Redwell Gunners Oberwart’s coach Chris Chougaz allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Redwell Gunners Oberwart have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Gmunden. Arkadia Lions at the other side dropped to the fifth position with two games lost. Redwell Gunners Oberwart’s next round opponent will be league’s second-placed Gmunden Swans in Gmunden and it will be for …

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