Oberwart Gunners Edge Basket Club Vienna in Thrilling 84-83 Victory

The Austrian Basketball Superliga served up a classic on May 20, 2026, as the Oberwart Gunners held off a fierce second-half comeback by Basket Club Vienna to claim an 84-83 victory at home. The one-point margin reflected a contest that swung back and forth, with the Gunners ultimately surviving a last-second three-point attempt from Vienna to secure the win.

From the opening tip, Oberwart took control of the pace, using aggressive transition offense to build a 10-point lead midway through the second quarter. However, Basket Club Vienna responded with a 15-2 run before halftime, powered by hot shooting from beyond the arc. The teams traded leads throughout the third and fourth quarters, setting up a frantic final minute.

Key Moments Down the Stretch

With the score tied at 81-81 and under 40 seconds remaining, Oberwart guard Markus Steiner drove the lane and drew a foul, sinking both free throws to put the Gunners ahead 83-81. Vienna quickly pushed the ball up the floor and found forward Luka Petrović for a contested mid-range jumper that tied the game at 83 with 12 seconds left. On the ensuing inbound, Oberwart's point guard Thomas Horvath raced up the court and dished to Steiner, who pump-faked and drew a foul on a three-point attempt with 1.2 seconds on the clock. Steiner calmly sank two of three free throws (the last intentionally missed by Vienna to stop the clock), giving the Gunners an 84-83 lead. Vienna’s desperation heave from half-court as time expired clanged off the rim, sealing the dramatic outcome.

Standout Performers

• Markus Steiner (Oberwart): Led all scorers with 28 points, including 9-of-10 from the free-throw line, and added 5 rebounds and 4 assists. His composure in the clutch was decisive.
• Luka Petrović (Vienna): Dominated the paint with 24 points and 13 rebounds, also recording 2 blocks. His jumper to tie the game showcased his all-around ability.
• Thomas Horvath (Oberwart): Contributed 15 points and 8 assists, running the offense effectively and setting up Steiner’s game-winning free throws.

Impact on the Superliga Standings

The victory improved Oberwart’s record to 18-10, keeping them firmly in the top four of the Austrian Basketball Superliga as the regular season enters its final weeks. For Basket Club Vienna, the narrow loss dropped them to 15-13, but they remain in playoff contention. With both teams vying for seeding advantage, this head-to-head result could prove pivotal in the final standings.

The Gunners’ ability to execute under pressure, especially from the free-throw line, was the difference in a game that featured 10 lead changes and 6 ties. Oberwart coach David Wagner praised his team’s resilience: “Vienna never stopped fighting, but we showed real character to close it out. Every possession mattered, and our guys stepped up when it counted.”

For Basket Club Vienna, the narrow defeat will sting, but they can draw confidence from their ability to go toe-to-toe with one of the league’s top sides on the road. The Superliga continues to deliver high-stakes basketball, and this thriller will be remembered as one of the season’s most entertaining contests.