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ULM SWEEPS WEEKEND ROAD TRIPS WITH WIN IN BREITENGUSSBACH! ratiopharm Ulm overcame an inspired Breitengussbach effort with a strong second half to capture their second road win of the weekend in 2.Bundesliga South basketball action just north of Bamberg, Germany. Unable to shake the young Breitengussbach team, Ulm tightened up their defense in the third quarter and got big baskets from guards Michael Bree and Christian Grosse in a game breaking run boosting Ulm to their 96-87 victory.
MIKE T AND HIS MEN SWEPT 2 ROAD GAMES THIS WEEKEND Always a difficult place to play, Breitengussbach's Hans-Jung-Halle provides a wonderful homecourt advantage for the farm team for Bundesliga team Bamberg. Top young players gain confidence in their small sportshall renowned for their green rubber floor and wooden brown walls. Capitalizing on their home court, Breitengussbach came to play jumping out to an early lead over favorite Ulm behind intense defense and aggressive offense. American forward Paul Haynes hit shots early and the giant-killer mentality pushed Breitengussbach to a 9-2 early lead. Breitengussbach head coach, Derrick Taylor, in his first season as a head coach after a storied Bundesliga career, has helped his young players develop well throughout the season. Against Ulm, prospects like Andreas Saller and Max Weber stepped their game up rising to the occassion with strong performances. Even young point man Felix Ferner made effort plays and knocked down a three and a drive in the strong Breitengussbach start. Slowly working their way back into the game, Ulm tried to pound the ball inside to center Maksym Shtein and forward Antoine Sinclair (starting for Ulm after a great game friday in Crailsheim). Although Ulm got several scores inside, the teams traded baskets with Breitengussbach riding the wave of momentum to a slim lead. Working hard on the offensive boards, Sinclair came up big for Ulm as the first quarter came to a close when he hit a tough turnaround jumpshot off the glass from the left block at the buzzer. Ulm trailed 25-24.
SHAHEEN HOLLOWAY SHOWS GOOD FORM ON THIS 3. During the second quarter, Breitengussbach switched to their 2-3 zone defense trying to take advantage of Kenny Price's absence. Ulm players moved the ball brilliantly from side to side, swinging the ball around the perimeter. However, the team failed to attack the zone vertically and did not establish the ball in the middle of the zone. Without post flashes or perimeter penetrations, Ulm relied on open three point shots that rimmed out (the team hit only 3 of 10 in the first half). Meanwhile, Ulm continued to struggle from the foul line hitting only 7 of 13 free throws in the first twenty minutes. Breitengussbach managed to stay one or two points ahead of Ulm throughout the half. Haynes was clutch for Breitengussbach hitting perimeter shots, pull up J's and stickbacks from offensive boards. The lanky lefty posted an impressive 19 points in the first half sparking Breitengussbach to a 44-42 halftime lead.
ULM MUST BECOME MORE CONSISTENT FROM THE FOUL LINE Ulm allowed Breitengussbach to shoot 52% from the floor and seemed content to trade baskets with the inspired opponent. Addressing the defensive effort and execution, Ulm returned to the floor determined for better performance in the third quarter. Playing exclusively man to man, turning up the intensity, Ulm jumped on Breitengussbach in the third opening up the games first ten point lead late in the quarter. Point guard Michael Bree drilled a big three point shot and Antoine Sinclair scored several important baskets inside during the run. Ulm's improved defensive play made all the difference. Finally getting stops, the team put some breathing room between themselves and Breitengussbach. Emeka Erege controlled the high scoring Haynes holding him to three points in the third quarter as Ulm led 68-58 going into the fourth. The fourth quarter belonged to Ulm's Christian Grosse. Checking into the game early in the quarter, Christian immediately made his presence flet by burying a three from the top of the key off a ballscreen. Next, the young marksman hit a three from the left wing. Finally, in transition, Grosse stuck a deep three from the right corner giving Ulm command of the game at 87-72 with just over 5 minutes remaining. Breitengussbach never gave up and cut into Ulm's advantage, but could not get back into the game. As Breitengussbach randomly trapped all over the court, Ulm went with a 4 guard lineup spreading the floor and moving the ball to tick the clock away.
MICHAEL BREE PLAYED VERY WELL THIS WEEKEND Another balanced team effort propelled Ulm to the win as the team finished with 6 players in double figures. Maksym Shtein and Peter Heizer top scored with 17 points apiece and Emeka Erege added 14 in the win. Grosse, the Taylorhoops.com Player of the Game, drilled his clutch three's on the way to 12 points while Michael Bree and Antoine Sinclair were solid in scoring 11 for Ulm. Shtein paced the team in rebounding with 11 for his second double-double of the weekend. Noteably, point guard Michael Bree grabbed 7 rebounds and Shaheen Holloway led the team in assists with 5. Sweeping the weekends two road games, Ulm improved to 13-2 as they wrap up the first round of league play. Nurnberg was idle this weekend and remains 14-0. ratiopharm Ulm tips off the second half of the season with a road game at local rival Humana Ehingen in their Badem-Wurtenburg derby. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm baketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com! GO ULM! MIKE T
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