BG Göttingen suffered a narrow 89-82 defeat at home against Kirchheim in the 2. Basketball Bundesliga ProA on May 13, 2026, in a game that showcased Kirchheim's resilience and fourth‑quarter execution. The contest at the Sparkassen‑Arena saw the visitors rally from a slow start to seize control late, delivering a crucial victory in the race for playoff positioning.

Match Overview

The opening minutes belonged to BG Göttingen, who used sharp ball movement and aggressive drives to build a 24‑18 lead after the first quarter. Home guard Maximilian Krüger hit two early three‑pointers, while forward Johan van der Berg controlled the glass. Kirchheim struggled to find rhythm against Göttingen's zone defense, committing five turnovers in the first ten minutes.

Kirchheim steadied in the second quarter. Coach Marco Wagner switched to a smaller lineup, allowing guards Luis Santos and Finn Schuster to attack off the dribble. Santos scored eight points in the period, and Schuster added five assists as Kirchheim trimmed the deficit to 46‑44 at halftime.

Key Moments

• Third‑quarter surge: Kirchheim opened the second half on a 12‑2 run, capped by a Schuster steal and fast‑break dunk to take a 56‑48 lead. Göttingen responded with a 9‑0 spurt, but Kirchheim entered the final frame up 68‑63.
• Clutch shooting: With 4:30 remaining, Kirchheim's center Tim Auerbach converted an and‑one to stretch the lead to 78‑70. Göttingen pulled within three on a Krüger three with 1:10 left, but Santos answered with a step‑back jumper to seal the win.
• Free‑throw discipline: Kirchheim made 18 of 22 free throws in the fourth quarter, neutralizing Göttingen's fouling strategy.

Tactical Story

Göttingen's early success came from high‑pick‑and‑roll actions that freed Krüger for catch‑and‑shoot opportunities. However, Kirchheim's adjustment to switch everything on screens disrupted Göttingen's spacing in the second half. Kirchheim also exploited mismatches in transition – their guards pushed the pace after defensive rebounds, scoring 28 fast‑break points to Göttingen's 14.

On defense, Kirchheim's zone press in the third quarter forced seven Göttingen turnovers, turning the game's momentum. BG Göttingen struggled to get consistent interior looks against Auerbach, who recorded four blocks.

Standout Players

• Luis Santos (Kirchheim): 27 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds – his off‑the‑dribble scoring was the difference maker.
• Finn Schuster (Kirchheim): 15 points, 11 assists, 3 steals – controlled the tempo and found open teammates in the half court.
• Maximilian Krüger (BG Göttingen): 24 points (4/8 from three), 5 rebounds – kept his team in the game with timely shooting.

Season Impact

The win improves Kirchheim's record to 18‑12, strengthening their hold on a top‑six spot in the ProA standings. BG Göttingen falls to 16‑14, dropping to eighth place – dangerously close to the postseason cut line. With only four regular‑season games remaining, every result carries playoff implications. Kirchheim will look to build on this momentum when they host league leaders Rostock on May 16, while Göttingen must regroup for a road trip to Tübingen.