Ludwigsburg. Jordan Hulls was out of the MHP giants Ludwigsburg for more than a month. And coach John Patrick had repeatedly emphasized how much the playmaker is missing from the Bundesliga basketball team. On Wednesday, the American celebrated his return to the Champions League – and with a 84:72 victory over JDA Dijon, he immediately showed why he was sorely missed. After problems against the French team, the offensive of the giants ran like oiled again and then Hulls with two threes in a row shortly before the end made it 78:63 for the decision in the exciting game of the Round of 16. “I’m very proud on my team. It was a tough game,” said Giants coach John Patrick after the game. “We had great input from the bank.”
Strong from a distance
The Giants started the game with returnees Hulls, Jordan Radebaugh, Tekele Cotton, Tremmell Darden and Ethan Happ. It got off to a good start right away. Both teams acted offensively, resulting in an exciting and attractive basketball game for the spectators. With a 9:0 run, the giants opened up a little to 18:11 in the middle of the round. Former Ludwigsburg player Khadeen Carrington broke the series with a three-pointer to make it 14:18. At the end of the quarter, Ludwigsburg led 26:20.
In the second section, the giants were initially taken by surprise. Dijon closed the gap to 25:26. Patrick took a break. After that, the guests came back sorted. A little later Radebaugh scored from long range to make it 33:25 (15th minute). In general, the Ludwigsburg were strong from the line of three. Four minutes before half-time, Johannes Patrick and Darden proved it back to back (42:30). When the score was 47:36 from the Swabian point of view, the sides were switched.
The Giants also had the edge in the second half. In the 24th minute, Jonas Wohlfahrt-Bottermann made it 58:42 with two successful layups. The Giants had the game under control but let themselves be careless just before the end of the third quarter as Dijon closed the gap to 54-62 with five points in a row.
Hulls cool before the end
Even in the final round, Ludwigsburg remained eight points ahead for a long time. Five minutes before the end, however, the hosts managed to make it 62:68. It got exciting again. But only until Hulls two minutes before the end sunk his two threes within a few seconds to 78:63 and thus decided the game.
Ludwigsburg: Cotton (8), Hulls (9/2 threes), Radebaugh (10/2), Simon (6), Woodard (12/2), Bähre, Darden (15/2), Happ (9), Herzog ( 6/1), Johannes Patrick (3/1), Wohlfarth-Bottermann (6).
