EWE Baskets - Telekom Bonn 71:70
EWE Baskets Oldenburg have been crowned the new Bundesliga champions! They narrowly defeated Bonn in a nail-biting thriller today to celebrate a 3-2 win in the BBL Finals. Rickey Paulding (196-G-82, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Missouri) knocked down 20 points to propel EWE Baskets to the triumph. Bonn led throughout the major part of the game but it all came down to the final seconds when EWE Baskets turned the tables and eked out the victory. Down by 3 points with 43 seconds remaining the hosts relied on Jason Gardner (178-G-80, agency: Interperformances, college: Arizona) and did not let his team down. Gardner converted a three-point play to draw things level in the game. Johannes Strasser lost the ball and Je'Kel Foster (191-G-83, agency: Court Side, college: Ohio St.) punished the visitors hitting one free throw and pulling Oldenburg in front with 4 seconds to go. Bonn had the chance to save the game but Earl Rowland (188-G-83, college: St.Mary's, CA) lost the ball and EWE Basket claimed the title.
It was a close battle in the early minutes. Bonn however used a 6:0 run to earn an 18:12 lead late in the first quarter. The hosts answered with a 10:0 surge bridging the quarters to regain the lead. The advantage changed hands for several times before Bonn took a 36:35 lead into the major break. Earl Rowland, Bowmann and Flomo helped the visitors to build a 10-point buffer midway through the third stanza however Rickey Paulding and Jekel Foster did not allow Bonn to run away. They denied the deficit setting up the dramatic denouement.
Je'Kel Foster tallied 18 points, 7 boards and 4 assists for Oldenburg. Jason Gardner added 14 points for the winners. Earl Rowland had 22 points for Bonn. Patrick Flomo (203-F-80, college: Ohio) finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds in defeat.

EWE Baskets: Rickey Paulding 20, Je'Kel Foster 18, Jason Gardner 14
Telekom Bonn: Earl Rowland 22, Patrick Flomo 18+10 boards