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TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
ULM BEATS BAYERN MUNICH 104-60; SETS SIGHTS ON HEIDELBERG Focused, fresh and finding their rhythm, ratiopharm Ulm cruised to a commanding 104-60 win Saturday night in 2.Bundesliga basketball action at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm, Germany. Ulm used brilliant ballmovement and a tenacious trapping press to put six players in double figures on the evening. Taylorhoops.com Player of the Game, Emeka Erege, lead Ulm scorers with 18 points on 7 of 10 floor shooting while adding 5 boards and 3 steals to the win. Niki Arinze (17 points and team high 8 rebounds), Christian Grosse (16 points including 4 for 7 from three point range), Kenny Price (14 points6 assists 5 steals), Antoine Sinclair (12 points 5 boards) and Maksym Shtein (12 points 5 rebounds), were all strong in Ulm's well balanced attack on the evening.
Emeka Erege drives baseline by Munich's Jay Thomas in the 1st half Starting a ballskilled backcourt of Michael Bree and Christian Grosse, Ulm used the double point guard lineup because of injuries to shooting guards Kenny Price and Peter Heizer --- while Heizer was rested with an eye on big games ahead, Price played through minor hand pain. Unfortunately for the visitors, it was Bayern Munich who struggled with injuries. Missing key point guard Mario Probst and important power forward Henning Gutt (both added from Jena in the offseason), Bayern Munich fielded a young, inexperienced 2.Bundesliga team. Still in search of their first win on the 2.Bundesliga level, Munich head coach Andreas Wagner worked with a depleted roster before the opening tip.
Ulm's Kenny Price drills this three from the left wing in the 2nd Quarter From the first possession Ulm took control. Exploding for an 8-0 lead, Wagner took a timeout after 2 minutes of action. Ulm's full court pressure created turnovers leading to easy scores. Pushing the tempo, ratiopharm Ulm simply ran the court resulting in energizing baskets. Christian Grosse drilled early jump shots and Niki Arinze cleaned up Ulm misses with tip ins helping build the lead. At 20-10, Munich held close behind Mario Knezevic three point shooting and the attacking play of Jay Thomas. However, the spark in the visitors was shortlived as turnovers lead to easy Ulm baskets and three point shooting from Christian Grosse broke the game open. Steals from Kenny Price and Emeka Erege ignited the Ulm attack. Rotating and scrambling lead to running and scoring and by the first quarter buzzer the Ulmer fans were on their feet cheering a 33-16 lead.
Christian Grosse continued his excellent play hitting 4 of 7 threes for 16 points in the game The second quarter was just as uneasy for the world famous guests. More inspiring play from Christian Grosse sparked the Ulm team. Three three point shots in the first four minutes of the second quarter broke the flood gates in the game. A beautiful Niki Arinze MJ fadeaway from the left baseline kept it coming. Dominating the defensive boards and controlling tempo, Ulm players poured it on. Kenny Price stepped in the passing lane at three quarter court for a steal that lead to a crowd pleasing reverse two hand slam. Then, Antoine Sinclair entered the action and made an immediate difference. Scoring 1 on 1 in the post with a smooth turnaround J and crashing the offensive boards to score on a stickback, Sinclair also came up with a tremendous steal in the press. At halfcourt, playing the passing lane, Antoine poked loose the ball and ran it down for a breakaway layup. Chased by a Bayern Munich defender, Sinclair took a strong giant step to finish. Hit from behind, the Ulm forward scored as he tumbled the baseline floor. Whistled as an intentional foul, Sinclair sank the free throw to complete the play. Maintaining the intensity for the entire half, Ulm held a 59-26 lead at halftime. Bayern Munich had no answer in sight. Out of the locker room, Christian Grosse set the second half tone on Ulm's first possession --- the hot young guard drilled his fourth three of the game from the top of the key. Maksym Shtein established Ulm's inside game and the press continued to create turnovers. Munich battled to stay close, keeping the deficit steady, but soon the Ulm depth forced another run. The 26-12 third quarter set the scoreboard at 85-40 heading into the fourth.
Michael Bree controlled the tempo well and delivered 7 assists Tobi Waitzinger and Dennis Woolfolk made early appearances for Mike T's team as he worked everyone into the action. Play became up and down in a run and gun type setting. Fans enjoyed the uptempo action as Emeka Erege finished his night with several strong finishes and a three pointer. Sinclair finished plays with strength in the paint and Michael Bree drilled two threes. Bayern Munich showed their character fighting hard in the final quarter despite the deficit. Young Munich players gained game experience as the clock ticked down. Finally, the horn sounded leaving Ulm to salute their fans after a convincing 104-60 win. Several key stats told the tale: Ulm forced 28 Munich turnovers and took 84 field goals compared with Munich's 55. Free throw attempts were almost even. Ulm compiled 22 assists and 19 steals. At 5-0 and atop the league, Ulm hosts USC Heidelberg in a much anticipated matchup. Heidelberg, also 5-0, is one of the top teams in the 2.Bundesliga South this season. The two teams split games last year with each team winning on their home floor. Certainly Saturday's game will be a BIG GAME for both teams! Be sure to follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com. GO ULM! MIKE T |
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