The Mitteldeutscher BC (MBC) Lions secured a 71-65 victory over the Herner TC on Saturday, solidifying their sixth-place position in the DBBL standings as they approach the playoff phase.
The game, played in Herne, saw a closely contested first half, with the MBC Lions holding a narrow 41-38 lead at the break. The Hallenserinnen then extended their advantage in the third quarter, establishing a 61-52 lead that proved decisive. Makiyah Williams of the Herner TC led all scorers with 31 points.
This win marks a repeat result for the MBC Lions, having previously defeated the Herner TC by the same scoreline – 71-65 – on January 18th, but in Halle. The victory is particularly significant as the MBC Lions aim to secure a favorable position heading into the playoffs, having already achieved their season goal of qualification.
The Herner TC, currently ranked eighth in the DBBL, had been hoping to close the gap on their rivals. A win would have brought them level on points with the MBC Lions, though a significant point differential from their earlier encounter would have remained a hurdle. According to data prior to Saturday’s match, the MBC had a slightly better overall point difference than the Herner TC, with a difference of 15 points compared to the Herner TC’s negative 23.
The Syntainics MBC, as the MBC Lions are also known, previously faced the Herner TC on January 25, 2025, with the Herner TC anticipating a challenging match against the team formerly known as the Halle Lions, who had recently aligned with the Herrenbundesligisten from Weißenfels.