TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
ALBA Tops Ulm!
87 
66
ratiopharm Ulm's Bundesliga home debut, played before a record-setting Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd, provided an exciting evening of action before powerful ALBA Berlin secured their 87-66 victory Saturday evening in Ulm. An inspired effort empowered by an energetic crowd helped Ulm surge to a first quarter lead and hang with the Berliners to the half, before ALBA turned up the heat cooling underdog Ulm's upset attempt in a game-breaking third quarter. Former Minnesota T-Wolves and Duke G William Avery led the Berlin attack with a solid 17 point, 7 rebound, 6 assist night while exciting Sharrod Ford added 16 points 6 boards to ALBA's win despite playing through illness. After being upset opening day by Telekom Bonn, ALBA bounced back improving to 2-1 with consecutive road victories this week over Leverkusen and Ulm.
photo from Thomas Fritsche
HE GIBBS EVERYTHING!
Ulm F Jeff Gibbs played an inspired game againt ALBA Berlin finishing with 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.
A decided underdog, Ulm started strong behind big man Bryan Lucas who brought the sold-out Sportszentrum crowd to their feet hitting the games opening three pointer at Ulm's first shot clock buzzer. Jonathan Levy re-charged the noise in Kuhberg by finishing a fast break and-1 over ALBA's Chris Owens on the very next possession. Bundesliga was back in Ulm and it brought the fans to their feet! Lucas continued his hot shooting first quarter with a pick and pop J followed by a smooth stroke as a recipient of teammate Levy's penetrate and pitch. While Lucas lit it up from outside, Jeff Gibbs powered his way through the paint bullying his way to rebounds among the bigger Berlin athletes. The inside tandem sparked Ulm to a 16-12 lead before ALBA's head coach Henrik Rodl rallied his troops with a timeout.
Ulm G Jonathan Levy operates against ALBA's Koko Archibong.
ALBA G Demond Greene entered the game and made an immediate impact sinking his first three point look. Pro-shots from C Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje, Owens and PG William Avery brought ALBA back and an Avery bucket gave the guests a 26-24 lead after one quarter. Ulm executed their game plan well and surprised most fans by outrebounding their talented opponents. Lucas, Gibbs and Levy triggered the fast start but key contributions came from the bench as well. Konrad Wysocki entered the action with excellent energy and Martin Thuesen effectively spelled Austen Rowland early on.
Quarter two was extremely competitive as Ulm hustled for every opportunity available. ALBA's Koko Archibong finished a strong drive to the basket and stepped into a passing lane for a steal and breakaway bucket. Nenad Canak drilled a three from the left wing and Sharrod Ford finished in the lane. Wysocki flipped in a flying finish through a congested lane and Gibbs double-pumped before banking a pick and roll finish off glass over Berlin defenders. Ulm changed defenses effectively and hustled for rebounds in the exciting first half. By the final buzzer, ALBA settled for a six point advantage 46-40 over the energized hosts.
Captain Emeka Erege protects the ball from German National team and ALBA Berlin guard Demond Greene.
An extremely professional and winning organization, ALBA re-grouped at halftime making quality adjustments. As action opened up in the second half, the Blue and yellow Albatross would not be denied. Methodically, ALBA capitalized on opportunities to add to their lead. Archibong drilled a three to kick off second half scoring before big men Ford and Boumtje-Boumtje retrieved extra possessions with hustle for offensive rebounds. ALBA also turned up the defensive heat.
Opening the game, finished in the lane and grabbed offensive boards. After the halftime break, ALBA made life in the lane difficult. Ulm suffered through several empty possessions putting pressure on their defense. Outscoring Ulm 19-12 in the 3rd, ALBA cracked open their first double-digit lead as Sharrod Ford hammered home a two hand slam over Bryan Lucas. Instantly, calling time, Ulm hoped to regroup and refocus with plenty of time remaining. But on this night, it would be ALBA Berlin players making plays. Ulm simply did not shoot the ball well enough to pull off this remarkable upset bid.
Ulms Bryan Lucas finished his strong performance with 14 points and 8 boards.
As fans enjoyed the execution and high-level play of the opponent, they hoped to rally the home team for a run at the mighty ALBA team. Jan Sprunken sank a three and Ulm searched for their chance. But when ALBA needed a play, they got it. Soon, officials whistled an open-court foul on Bryan Lucas to be intentional. ALBA built their lead and with just over three minutes remaining, Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor was awarded two technical fouls only moments apart --- an entertaining "exit, stage left."
ALBA Berlin turned up their defensive pressure in the second half helping them open a double-digit lead. Here, ALBA big men Sharrod Ford (25) and Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje double team Ulm's Konrad Wysocki (13) as ALBA's Demond Greene (10), William Avery (21) and Julius Jenkins (11) look on.
Finishing the game, ALBA stretched their lead with late buckets from bench players Philip Zwiener. Levy hit two three pointers and Erege sliced down the lane for an athletic leaning oldfashioned and-1 three point play. As the clock ran out on the opening night, ALBA Berlin had earned their 87-66 road win.
Must be in the Front row! Cameras capture the view from atop the new tribune in Sportszentrum Kuhberg. A city attendance record for basketball was set Saturday as Bundesliga returned to Ulm.
Ulm was led by Jonathan Levy's 15 point 4 rebound effort while Bryan Lucas added 14 points and 8 boards. Jeff Gibbs powered his way to 11 points 9 rebounds and both Emeka Erege and Konrad Wysocki chipped in 7 points apiece. As a team Ulm shot 36% (22-61) from the field and 62% (17-27) from the foul line. Ulm did outrebound ALBA 37-36. Berlin was led by William Avery's 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the win while Sharrod Ford added 16 points 6 boards. Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje went for 14 points 4 rebounds and Demond Greene sank 3 of 4 threes on his way to 10 points. As a team, ALBA hit 31 of 62 (50%) shots and 17 of 23 free throws (73%). In an impressive display of ballhandling and teamwork, ALBA distributed 15 assists and only 8 turnovers against Ulm's multiple defenses.
"Exit Stage Left"
BOX SCORE: ratiopharm Ulm v ALBA Berlin
Looking ahead, ratiopharm Ulm returns to action Wednesday for a mid-week home game against Ewe Baskets Oldenburg. Tip time is set for 8pm at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
Click this link for an excellent photo gallery of Ulm vs ALBA game
*photos in this Gallery from Ulm's Thomas Fritsche!
Click here for photo gallery of Ulm v ALBA from NeuUlm newspaper
Follow all the fastbreaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
