Würzburg suffered a heartbreaking 74-73 defeat at home to Manchester Basketball in the Basketball Champions League on September 15, 2026, with the game decided in the final seconds. In a contest that swung back and forth through all four quarters, the visitors found just enough composure at the free-throw line and one final defensive stop to leave with a one-point road win.

A one-point thriller in the BCL

Würzburg entered the game looking to impose themselves on home floor, but Manchester Basketball set an early tone with aggressive perimeter defense and quick transition attacks. The first quarter was tightly contested, with neither side able to build a lead larger than four points. Würzburg’s half-court offense found some success inside, while Manchester relied on dribble penetration and kick-out three-pointers to stay level.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern. Würzburg briefly moved ahead after a 7-0 run, but Manchester answered before halftime to keep the deficit within a single possession. The game remained a chess match into the third quarter, with both coaches rotating their benches and searching for a matchup advantage.

How the game unfolded

Würzburg appeared to take control early in the fourth quarter, building a five-point cushion behind strong offensive rebounding and a pair of baskets in the paint. But Manchester’s defense tightened when it mattered most. The visitors switched between man-to-man and a compact zone, forcing Würzburg into contested jump shots and late-clock turnovers.

With under a minute remaining, Manchester converted a crucial and-one opportunity to take the lead. Würzburg had a final possession to win it, but a well-defended three-pointer from the wing rimmed out, and the rebound was secured by the visitors as the buzzer sounded.

Key moments

• Late third-quarter surge: Würzburg used a 9-2 run to briefly seize momentum before Manchester steadied with back-to-back defensive stops.
• Fourth-quarter comeback: Manchester erased a five-point deficit in the final four minutes, leaning on free throws and a timely steal.
• The final possession: Würzburg got a clean look from deep, but the shot missed, sealing a 74-73 result for Manchester Basketball.

Tactical breakdown

Manchester’s ability to change defensive looks proved decisive. By mixing in zone possessions, they disrupted Würzburg’s pick-and-roll rhythm and forced the home side to settle for perimeter shots. Würzburg won the battle on the glass for much of the night, but their half-court execution stalled in the closing minutes. Manchester also did a better job of getting to the charity stripe in the fourth quarter, turning fouls into points while Würzburg struggled to generate clean free-throw attempts.

Standout performers

Manchester’s backcourt leader Jalen Crawford was instrumental, scoring a team-high 17 points and adding five rebounds and four assists. His poise in the final minutes helped settle the offense. Würzburg’s Lukas Herzog kept the home side in front for long stretches, finishing with 16 points, while center Felix Neumann controlled the paint with 12 points and nine rebounds. Manchester’s bench also provided a spark, outscoring Würzburg’s reserves in the second half.

What the result means

The one-point loss leaves Würzburg with a frustrating early-season setback in the Basketball Champions League, especially given how close they came to closing it out at home. For Manchester Basketball, the road win is a significant confidence boost and a valuable result in the competition’s standings. It also underlines the margin for error in BCL play: a single possession, a missed free throw, or a late defensive rotation can decide the outcome.

Würzburg will need to regroup quickly and improve their late-game execution, while Manchester will look to build on a disciplined, resilient performance that showed they can win in difficult environments.