Crailsheim (dpa/lsw) - The Hakro Merlins Crailsheim have continued their winning streak in the Europe Cup. The Bundesliga basketball club won the start of the second group phase on Wednesday against Heroes Den Bosch with 89:84 (41:38). For Crailsheim it was the fourth success in a row in this competition. Edon Maxhuni was the best thrower. The point guard was on the floor for almost 29 minutes and scored 28 points.
It was a tight game at the beginning. The home side could not develop a decisive advantage. That changed in the middle of the second period when a small run of seven points led to a 30:23 lead. This could later be expanded further. But the Dutch record champions didn't let themselves be shaken off and caught up again by half-time.
At the end of the third quarter, the home side were even chasing a deficit. Crailsheim were seven points behind at the start of the final quarter. Until shortly before the end it looked like the guests could take the points with them.
But then, with 42 seconds to go, Maxhuni put Crailsheim back in the lead for the first time. The Bundesliga side scored the last eight points of the game and won the feat. Other opponents in Group K are BC Kalev/Cramo from Estonia and the Turkish team Gaziantep.
