Basketball: Alba returns, Ulm expands series

Alba Berlin has returned to BBL. After two last defeats, the former series champion won 88:81 (44:37) at EWE Baskets Oldenburg and climbed to second place in the standings with 16:6 points. Vice champion Oldenburg (12:8) is seventh.

ratiopharm Ulm continued its race to catch up after a false start to the season. The team of coach Thorsten Leibenath, the main round winner of last season’s season, celebrated their fourth consecutive success with a 89:75 (43:40) at the Frankfurt Skyline.

In Oldenburg the duel of the former champions was open for a long time. Only 58 seconds before the end Alba playmaker Peyton Siva with two free throws at 83:75 made everything clear. Top scorer at Berlin was Spencer Butterfield (20 points).

The Ulmers showed a strong final quarter (31:16) in Frankfurt and were able to rely on Trey Lewis (26 points).