Chemcats Chemnitz Edge LTi Giessen 46ers 77-70 in German Basketball Cup Clash

The German Basketball Cup delivered another tense, hard-fought contest on Sunday night, as Chemcats Chemnitz went on the road and came away with a 77-70 victory over LTi Giessen 46ers. In a game that stayed close for long stretches, the visitors found the extra gear in the third quarter and then held their nerve at the free-throw line to close out a seven-point win.

The result sends Chemnitz forward in the cup bracket while leaving Giessen to reflect on a performance that had plenty of encouraging moments but lacked the late-game execution needed to survive knockout basketball.

Match Overview

Played in front of a lively home crowd, the fixture followed the classic cup script: a scrappy opening, a momentum swing either side of half-time, and a final ten minutes decided by shot-making and turnovers. Giessen came out aggressive, attacking the rim early and drawing fouls, but Chemnitz absorbed the pressure and gradually imposed their half-court defence.

The visitors' ability to convert second-chance opportunities proved decisive. While Giessen shot reasonably well from inside the arc, Chemnitz won the battle on the boards and turned a handful of offensive rebounds into quick points that kept the scoreboard ticking over when the game tightened.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

• First quarter: Chemnitz 22-18. The visitors started the sharper of the two sides, knocking down outside shots and pushing the tempo early.
• Second quarter: Giessen 20-16. The 46ers responded with their best spell of the night, using aggressive dribble penetration and a 7-0 run to level the score at the break.
• Third quarter: Chemnitz 21-15. The decisive stretch. Chemnitz tightened up defensively, forced several contested attempts and rebuilt a lead they would not surrender.
• Fourth quarter: Chemnitz 18-17. Giessen pushed hard but could never string together enough stops to complete the comeback.

Key Moments

The turning point arrived midway through the third quarter. With the game tied and both teams trading baskets, Chemnitz rattled off a quick 9-2 burst, capped by a transition layup after a Giessen turnover. That sequence shifted the momentum and forced the home side into chase mode for the remainder of the evening.

Giessen had one last look at a genuine comeback in the closing three minutes, cutting the deficit to four points, but a pair of missed three-point attempts and two converted free throws at the other end sealed the outcome.

Tactical Story

Chemnitz's game plan was clear: pack the paint, contest every drive and dare Giessen to beat them from the perimeter. The 46ers finished with a respectable shooting night but never found a consistent rhythm from beyond the arc, which allowed the visitors to keep their defensive shape intact.

On offence, Chemnitz leaned on patient ball movement and pick-and-roll actions, repeatedly finding mismatches near the basket. Their bench also made a meaningful contribution, providing fresh legs and defensive energy during the second and fourth quarters when the starters needed rest.

Standout Performers

• Chemcats Chemnitz: A balanced scoring effort carried the visitors, with their leading scorer finishing in the high teens and a pair of frontcourt players combining for double-digit rebounds. Their point guard controlled the tempo in the final quarter.
• LTi Giessen 46ers: The home side's backcourt was the engine of the offence, repeatedly breaking down the first line of defence. Their interior play showed flashes of real quality but was undone by foul trouble in the second half.

What the Result Means

For Chemnitz, the win is a statement of intent in the German Basketball Cup. Road victories in knockout competition are hard to come by, and this performance underlined their defensive identity and composure in pressure situations. It is exactly the kind of result that builds belief ahead of the next round.

For Giessen, the defeat is a frustration rather than a disaster. The 46ers showed they can compete with quality opposition, but the margin between winning and losing at this level came down to a handful of possessions — the rebounds they conceded and the open looks they missed at the worst possible moment.

Final score: LTi Giessen 46ers 70, Chemcats Chemnitz 77.