Swans Gmunden vs. BK Patrioti Levicki 85:76 (22:21, 43:39, 62:58)
Referees: Salomon, Freudenthaler, Splajt.
Audience: 350
Venue: Volksbank Arena.
Scorers Gmunden: Friedrich 20, Murati, Ogunyemi each 15, Loveridge 14, Blazan 11, Güttl, Linortner each 5.
Scorers Levice: Bachan, Juricek each 13, Perovic 11, Zink, Hill each 9, Bojanovsky 8, Hot 4.
Both teams had a very good start into the game and tried to keep the game-pace on a high level. The five points of Levice were answered by straigt seven from the Swans. However after five minutes the swans could extend their lead to eleven points. Gmunden used the space the offensive space that the Patrioti offered them. But step by step the slovakian team fought back. Especially the intensity in defense improved. The first quarter came to an end with a score of 22:21 for the Gmunden Swans. The second quarter was very similar tot he first. Both teams fought for every possesion and none of the teams could break away. It remained a one possesion game most oft he time through the second quarter. The two highlights of the first half were two hard dunks by Marty Hill. However the deficit of four points (43:39) remained for Levice.
The Patrioti had a better start into the second half because the Austrians made mistakes on the defensive end oft he floor and they wasted no time punishing them. However, after some time in the third quarter both teams struggled to hit the shots from outside and the Swans overcame their weak start, improved their defense and kept attacking the basket. Especially Güttl has made some steals that lead to easy points. The struggle from downtown did not last for a long time. On the contrary, at the oft he third period the Patrioti hit some important shots to keep a constant deficit of 62:58. The game got even closer in the end. While the Swans started off well with a 5:0 run, Levice answered straight back with good shots inside as well as outside. At 1:34 to play in the last quarter the game was tied at 74 points each. Then six points from Murati and Loiveridge lead the way tot he 85:76 victory fort he Gmunden Swans in a absolute high class game.
