ESSEN (Interstat) — Crailsheim defeated Essen 81-67 on Saturday at Sportpark Am Hallo in German Pro A play. Crailsheim trailed 24-21 after the first quarter but seized control with a 22-10 second quarter and a 24-13 third quarter. The visitors led 43-34 at halftime and 67-47 through three quarters. Essen won the fourth quarter 20-14, but Crailsheim held on for the road victory. Crailsheim improved to 1-1, while Essen dropped to 0-1. Crailsheim’s strong middle stretch proved decisive, as Essen could not recover from a slow second and third quarter. Crailsheim’s defense limited Essen to 23 points over the second and third quarters. Essen opened with a strong first quarter but struggled to sustain its offense after that. The game was organized by the German Pro A and played at Sportpark Am Hallo in Essen. Crailsheim will seek to build on the win, while Essen looks for its first victory.