RSV Lahn Dill defeats Alba Berlin 105:35
Approximately 900 Wetzlar fans were in the August-Bebel-gym on Saturday to witness another home victory by the RSV Lahn-Dill. They defeated ALBA Berlin 105:35 (25:6/50:16/80:24). American Michael Paye was spectacular leading all scorers with a 37 point performance. The RSV is on a roll with this big win and has set the stage for their match this weekend against their closest rival in the RBBL, Zwickau.
While Paye’s performance was outstanding, RSV Captain Joey Johnson managed to achieve an unbelievable “quadruple double” by scoring ten points, grabbing ten rebounds, passing for eleven assists and snatching an incredible twelve steals. His Canadian countryman, Richard Peter also impacted the outcome with his own “double double” scoring 20 points and logging twelve assists.
RSV met Alba Berlin three weeks ago in the first round of this season’s DRS Cup competition winning that game 96:32, at that time they were hoping to crack the 100 point mark. It was clear that goal was still in mind on Saturday. Their lead was narrow in the first three minutes with the score only 7-5. Then National team player Annika Zeyen exploded chipping in six points in less than two minutes. By the end of the first quarter the RSV held a commanding lead 26:6. The second quarter saw much of the same as the RSV continued to build their lead, they allowed only two baskets to the Berlin offense. The half ended with the score 29:10.
Centre Dirk Koehler was back on the roster for this game, just coming off any injury that kept him out for several weeks. He played approximately 14 minutes and looked sharp. This was great news for the big game versus Zwickau on Sunday. With the scoring by Koehler in addition to a three pointer from Michael Paye, the RSV ended the quarter with the score at 66:18.
As they entered the fourth quarter the fans became more and more enthusiastic as the team got closer to the 100 point mark. The RSV used the energy from their fantastic home crowd to control the pace of the game, they stole the ball and created turnovers (Zwickau had 43 turnovers), then capitalized on these opportunities by scoring. Michael Paye hit his second triple of the night putting the score at 98:28. With just under two minutes remaining young Kai Gerlach hit a lay-up to hit the 100 point mark, this was a repeat of his performance in Trier (102:35) in the season opener when he scored the 100th point. The fans went wild, almost breaking the sound barrier with the drumming and cheering.
The RSV supporters were in good spirits and were delighted with the offensive performance of their team. They are confident that the team will carry this offensive trend into their dual against Zwickau on Sunday. Coach Nicolai Zeltinger is also pleased with his team and will have his full squad in action for the upcoming game. Felix Schell will be back after having to forgo Saturday’s game due to his university commitments.
Lahn-Dill: Michael Paye (37/2 Dreier), Richard Peter (20), Kai Gerlach (12), Joey Johnson (10), Dirk Köhler (8), Annika Zeyen (8), Marco Zwerger (6), Gesche Schünemann (4), Thomas Gundert, Jan Kampmann.
Berlin: Michael Bayer (17), Alexander Dellheim (5), Oliver Herrmann (4), Kahlid Ramouni-Alami (4), Jan-Bruno Rittner (3), Jan Suckow (2), Bernhard Hesse.