Kapfenberg pull away late to beat Oberwart Gunners

The Oberwart Gunners held reigning champions Kapfenberg close for much of Saturday’s game, but the Styrian visitors were more effective in the closing stages and won 92-80, ORF Burgenland reported.

Kapfenberg led by six points at half-time after edging ahead late in the second quarter. The visitors extended their advantage to 14 points in the third. Darko-Kelly scored 20 points for Kapfenberg, while Wise led Oberwart with 23.

The game also featured the first matchup between Gunners player Florian Köppel and his brother Daniel, who moved to Kapfenberg in the summer. “Of course we talk a little, but each of us keeps the tips and tricks to himself,” Daniel told ORF Burgenland. Florian said he would rather play alongside his brother, “but that’s sport”.

Oberwart head coach Horst Leitner said his team had “run out of mental energy” for the first time this season. He said the players had tried to get back into the game through individual efforts and had also let their defensive work slip.

The defeat was Oberwart’s third in four games. Leitner said the team would bounce back and was making progress through its effort. The Gunners’ next chance comes against Graz next Sunday.