Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart secured their second derby victory in two days, defeating the Panthers Fürstenfeld 84-70 and maintaining their lead in the Superliga. The Gunners established an early lead and held off the Panthers’ attempts to catch up. Key performances came from Allen (26 points), Fields (22 points), and Reid (21 points). The Gunners will face the Traiskirchen Lions next, with fans eagerly anticipating their final regular-season game against the Swans Gmunden.
Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart Triumph in Derby Showdown
The Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart have showcased their dominance by clinching their second derby victory in just two days, solidifying their position at the pinnacle of the Superliga standings. After a thrilling win against the BBC Nord Dragonz on Friday night, the Gunners were eager to maintain their momentum as they faced off against their local rivals, the Panthers Fürstenfeld, on Sunday evening. With the Panthers sitting at the bottom of the standings, expectations were high for a strong performance from Oberwart.
The Gunners wasted no time in asserting their control, launching into a remarkable 0:7 run that quickly expanded their lead to ten points (2:12). Although Fürstenfeld attempted to close the gap, a timely three-pointer from Robert Allen stopped their momentum (8:15). The Gunners continued their three-point barrage, with Siegfried ‘Ziggy’ Reid contributing to the scoring. However, a brief lapse in focus allowed the Panthers to narrow the gap to just one point (17:18), prompting a strategic timeout. In the closing moments of the first quarter, Ziggy Reid scored five points, ending the period at 19:25 in favor of the Gunners.
Decisive Halftime Lead
The second quarter kicked off with Caleb Fields making two successful free throws, followed by a three-pointer that pushed the score to 19:30. Armin Hrstic responded with a three-pointer of his own, but Jonathan Knessl quickly added a layup, bringing the score to 23:32. The Gunners worked hard to maintain a double-digit lead, which eventually settled at nine points. Reid continued his impressive performance, matching Hristic’s three-pointer with one of his own.
With reliable shooting from the line and a layup from Fields, Oberwart extended their lead to thirteen points (32:45). As the first half came to a close, the Gunners increased their advantage, heading into halftime with a commanding 32:50 lead—an early indicator of the match’s outcome.
Following the intermission, Allen resumed scoring for the Gunners, while former player Georg Wolf made his mark for the Panthers with a jump shot. At 36:55, the Panthers made a push, with Wolf’s three-pointer reducing the deficit to fourteen points (41:55). Nevertheless, the Gunners remained composed and stepped up their scoring. Knessl’s jump shot led to a timeout for the Panthers as they sought to regroup.
Head Coach Matthew Otten commented on the match, saying, “It was a tough game. Fürstenfeld played really well. We didn’t show our best game. In the end, we did what we had to do for the away win. There are many things to improve.”
The third quarter showcased a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging points and keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Despite the Panthers’ spirited efforts, Oberwart maintained control, entering the final quarter with a score of 51:69. The Gunners closed out the game effectively, with Allen sealing the victory with two free throws, concluding the match at 70:84.
Upcoming Challenges for the Gunners
With this victory, the Gunners remain at the top of the Superliga standings. The Flyers Wels recently defeated the Swans Gmunden, leaving them tied with Oberwart on points but in second place. The Gunners are set to host the Traiskirchen Lions this Saturday, with the game starting at 5:30 PM. Fans are also looking forward to the Gunners’ final regular-season match against the Swans Gmunden on February 15, which begins at 7 PM.
Gunners Scorers: Allen 26, Fields 22, Reid 21, Knessl 7, Diggs 5, F. Köppel 2, D. Köppel 1
Panthers Scorers: Hrstic 18, Rickets 15, Spaleta 12, Wolf 8, Coffi 7, Schott 5, Dokmanovic 5
Stay tuned for more updates on sports events in the Oberwart district!