One strong third Quarter (27:10) was enough for Frankfurt to win it's Playoff Opener at home on Saturday against visiting Brandt Hagen by a score of 97:78 (41:47). The hosts had a very good start, leading 20:7 after 5 minutes into the game. But the guests were not impressed and got back due to good outside Shooting and securing some offensive rebounds. Frankfurt led 21:15 after ten minutes.
The second quarter was a real letdown by the Opel Skyliners and the game itself was not nice to watch. Both teams exchanged hard fouls and the only baskets during a 4 minute stretch came from the freethrowline. As Frankfurt missed from the charity line, Hagen got closer and tied the game with a threepointer by 37-year old Center Hansi Gnad. The guests now pushed the ball and even took a 41:47 lead into the lockers.
Headcoach Gordon Herbert must have found the right words in the break, cause Frankfurt stormed out of the lockers to outran Hagen 19:5 in the first five minutes of the third period. Marcus Goree now showed why he is a strong candidate for the MVP-Trophy in the german league. The US-Power Forward took control of the boards, dunked over his opponents and scored some threepointers to make the score 68:57 in favor of the hosts.
As Hagen was shorthanded and missed both it's US-Players in Center Ryan Fletscher and Guard Mike Doyle, the guests had big foul problems and no alternatives coming from the bench. Frankfurt had no problems by securing a big lead untill the final buzzer. Marcus Goree led all players with 30 points and 12 Rebounds. Alexander Lokhmanchuck scored 14 on 86% shooting and Virgil Stanescu pulled in 12 points and grabbed 8 boards. The second game of the best-of-five Series will be played on wednesday at Hagen.
