Bitter End to the Do-or-Die Game: VIMODROM Baskets Jena Fall 81-86 After a Nail-Biter in Göttingen (Halftime: 43-42)

A Dream Start and Fast Pace in the First Quarter

The first quarter began at a blistering pace, but contrary to the hopes of the boisterous home crowd, the Baskets immediately found their offensive rhythm to make up for the deficit from the first game. Annika Heck (12 pts.) and Taylor Brooke Robertson (10 pts.) hit early shots from beyond the arc, while Marta Miscenko (18 pts.) found openings at the basket. Through focused passing and strong finishes, the Thuringian team built a well-deserved 17–11 lead at one point. Göttingen countered with a fast transition game and fought their way back, but after the first ten minutes, Jena held a narrow 21–20 lead.

A Neck-and-Neck Race Before the Break

The second half developed into a thrilling neck-and-neck race. Neither team gave an inch in the paint. Cianna Gloster (7 points) worked tirelessly under the baskets, grabbing crucial rebounds and making a defensive impact with blocks. On the wing, Laila Walker (20 pts.) remained a constant threat and hit a crucial three-pointer just before halftime off an assist from Laura Thiele (0 pts.). As the final buzzer sounded for the second quarter, the VIMODROM Baskets held on to a razor-thin 43–42 halftime lead after an intense stretch of play.

Annika Schwarz’s Three-Point Barrage

After the break, the crowd initially witnessed a dominant stretch by the visitors. Annika Schwarz (14 points) was now really on fire: With three thunderous three-pointers in a row, she single-handedly shifted the momentum in the Baskets’ favor and gave Jena a promising 60–53 lead—a score that would have been enough to secure a spot in the Final4. But Göttingen countered resolutely. The game increasingly turned into a heated defensive battle, marked by foul trouble on Jena’s side. During this critical phase, players like Inga Ruppe (0 pts.), Jenna Rosanke (0 pts.), Elisaweta Petrukhnova (0 pts.), and Stella Nwaobi (0 pts.) unfortunately did not see any playing time, but they tirelessly and vociferously cheered on their team from the bench. A run by Göttingen just before the buzzer tied the game, sending it into the all-deciding final quarter with the score tied at 62–62.

Virtually in the Final4, but luck eluded them in crunch time

In the fourth quarter, the tension reached its absolute boiling point—the arena was on fire. It turned into the expected nail-biter, with the lead changing hands several times. Then came the magical moment: Robertson drained a three-pointer to put Jena ahead 72–67. Exactly the +5 margin needed to secure a spot in the Final4! A sensation was in the air. But in the absolute crunch time, events unfolded rapidly. Göttingen struck back. When Miscenko secured the 76–75 lead shortly afterward, the Baskets knew: a one-point lead wouldn’t be enough in the end. Forced to take every risk to get back to a +5 lead, they failed to make key defensive stops. Late foul calls against Miscenko, Robertson, and Walker sent the ice-cold home team to the line time and again. A final three-pointer by Miscenko to make it 79–82 offered a glimmer of hope, but their shooting luck and the clock had run out—81–86.

Atmosphere: A cauldron of excitement at Felix-Klein-Gymnasium

The Felix-Klein-Gymnasium was packed with 520 vocal spectators and provided a fantastic setting with a great atmosphere on both sides—exactly as it should be for a true do-or-die game. The deafening atmosphere was like a veritable cauldron, spurring both teams on in the closing minutes. In a thrilling showdown between two teams of absolutely equal strength, tiny nuances ultimately decided who would advance—sporting details that the Thuringian women fought bravely for until the very last second, though ultimately to no avail.

Laila Walker (20 points), Marta Miscenko (18), Annika Schwarz (14), Annika Heck (12), Taylor Brooke Robertson (10), Cianna Gloster (7), Inga Ruppe (0), Jenna Rosanke (0), Laura Thiele (0), Elisaweta Petrukhnova (0), Stella Nwaobi (0).