Play-Off Qualifiers report: MHP RIESEN turn back determined Maccabi Rand Media
LUDWIGSBURG (Basketball Champions League) - MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg had some uncomfortable moments but eventually put away a pesky Maccabi Rand Media, 84-82, on Wednesday night to advance to the Round of 16 in the Basketball Champions League.
After rolling to a 17-point triumph in the first meeting two weeks ago in Israel, John Patrick's team returned home confident but also fully aware that 40 hard minutes awaited them.
.@MHP_Riesen rising to the Round of 16! The 🇩🇪 team add another win over @MaccabiRishon to their 17-pt tally from the 1st leg! #BasketballCL pic.twitter.com/wcAyJ9Jr0t
— #BasketballCL (@BasketballCL) February 22, 2017
Arik Shivek's side sure enough made things interesting, going in front 51-40 with 6:20 left in the third quarter after a 3-pointer from Shawn Dawson to cut their aggregate deficit to just six. Dawson had 21 points on the night, including a 10-of-10 effort at the free-throw line.
Jack Cooley stemmed the tide, however, for MHP RIESEN, reeling off 8 unanswered points. The spell of dominant play from the big man who had 20 points and 8 rebounds put the home side back in command of the tie. They outscored Maccabi Rand Media 27-25 in the third quarter and then 26-22 in the fourth to take a 19-point aggregate triumph.
