Following elimination from the EuroCup and BBL-Pokal, RheinEnergie Köln can now focus all of their efforts on their Bundesliga title challenge.

Köln were eliminated from the EuroCup last week after losing their quarter-final play-off series with BC Kyiv 2-1, but director of sport Stephan Baeck insists it is not all bad news.

"The EuroCup has formed our team and given us a lot of experience and we want to take that with us into the Bundesliga," he said.

A 67-65 win over the Deutsche Bank Skyliners at the weekend was the perfect way for the club to bounce back and kick-start their assault on the domestic crown.

"That was an important win for us," added Baeck on the club's website, www.rheinenergie-koeln.de.

The win coincided with the return of Glen McGowan, back in the side after a six-game injury absence.

Although his nine points helped Sasa Obradovic's side to victory, it was Immanuel McElroy's 21 points which proved the difference between the two sides.

The Frankfurt-based club overturned a 10-point deficit in the third quarter to lead by five going into the final period, but McElroy hauled Koln back level and converted two free throws to give his side victory at the buzzer.

The win lifts Köln to fifth, but they can move into third by winning a rearranged fixture against Karlsruhe on Tuesday.

Still leading the way at the top of the standings are GHP Bamberg and ALBA Berlin.

Both were again in dominant form at the weekend, Bamberg crushing fourth-placed Eisbaren Bremerhaven 78-46 on Sunday evening, while Berlin were merciless in a 103-89 triumph over third-placed EWE Baskets Oldenburg.

Telekom Baskets Bonn sneaked into the top eight with a 98-91 success at the Artland Dragons, who had occupied the final play-off position prior to the game.

Meanwhile, the sellbytel Baskets Nürnberg claimed a crucial 87-82 win in Braunschweig to all but condemn BS|Energy to relegation.