TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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90
ULM -TIMATE UPSET!
For a team like ratiopharm Ulm, no win is bigger. And after Saturday nights first quarter, no deficit seemed more insurmountable. Somehow, someway, ratiopharm Ulm found a way. In an amazing comeback, Ulm upset German power ALBA Berlin 92-90 beating the 7 time German Champ for only the second time since their rise to power in the 1990's and winning for the first time in history in Ulm.
Jeff Gibbs battles 7 foot C Patrick Femerling for position in Saturdays game, the perfect picture to symbolize ratiopharm Ulm's amazing upset win.
click here for Ulm v ALBA photo gallery!
Every season there are certain showcase games that highlight a teams home schedule. For years, the name ALBA Berlin commands respect not only in Germany, but in basketball circles all over Europe. ALBA is a first class organization and their success speaks for itself. Finishing the last four Bundesliga regular seasons in first place, ALBA reloads year in an year out with Europe's best players and NBA-level talent. For years, a win over such a team has been a dream for Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm fans were a major part in their teams comeback win over German power ALBA Berlin. Sold out Sportszentrum Kuhberg was as loud as ever in the fourth quarter as Ulm beat Berlin for the first time ever in Ulm.
EJ Gallup topscored for Ulm with 19 points in the upset win over ALBA Berlin!
And 10 minutes into Saturdays game, the action was quickly turning into a nightmare. A sold out Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd packed into the tradition-rich gym to cheer on their team dreaming of an upset. But immediately following tip-off, Berlin dominated play bursting to a 13-3 lead. Ulm players struggled to score against ALBA's size in the paint and turned the ball over against their terrific team defense. At the other end, Berlin systematically shredded Ulm's defense for easy scores. And the tide did not turn. After several more misses, Ulm sank further and further into the hole. Despite their best effort, Ulm looked up at the scoreboard and saw the game slipping away as ALBA led 24-7 with 10 seconds remaining in the first quarter. With a fullcourt inbound situation, Ulm's rookie point guard Dru Joyce took the pass and zipped coast to coast slicing through retreating Berlin defenders in a race against the clock. Dru forced his way between ALBA players and finished a running bank shot off glass through contact to beat the buzzer and spark life into the reeling team. Converting the free throw, Dru's three point play trimmed the deficit to 24-10 but more importantly instilled energy into his team.
Ulm's rookie point guard Dru Joyce made several big plays that sparked his team in Saturday's upset win.
Quarter two saw the spark turn to flame as Ulm outscored ALBA 28-18 with a furious team effort to get back into the game. EJ Gallup buried a transition three and followed with another score for 5 consecutive Ulm points. Joyce buried another three. Ulm trailed 30-18. Berlin's experience and talent kept the comeback attempt at arms length. With 5 minutes remaining in the first half, Ulm huddled in a timeout and focused to make a run. Leading his teammates, post man Bryan Lucas finished a strong AND1 three point play in the paint cutting the lead to 42-34. Jeff Gibbs powered in a put back to pull closer at 42-36 and out of nowhere EJ Gallup's 1 man press intercepted the inbound pass and added another bucket within seconds. Like lightning, Ulm cut the ALBA advantage to 42-38 at half.
C Sean Finn scored 4 points with 2 rebounds and strong defense in Ulm's upset win over ALBA Berlin.
Gallup's sneaky school-yard play brought the crowd into the game and gave his team confidence heading into the lockerroom. When the smoke cleared from the first half, Ulm's uphill struggle had challenged the team after bottoming out down 17. Now trailing by four with a chance to make adjustments and 20 minutes to play, the Ulm team aimed to change the game in the second half. In the first half, ALBA shot 51% from the floor and outrebounded Ulm 20-18. Berlin's impressive offensive execution also resulted in 10 team assists in the first half as they broke the Ulm D down for easy baskets. Ulm shot 41% and suffered 7 turnovers in the first ten minutes but only 1 during the second quarter comeback. Ulm struggled in the first quarter playing at the ALBA tempo, slow, deliberate and halfcourt. Berlin's size and screen-roll-spread style was extremely effective as the hosts tried to figure out how to control the tempo. Ulm's pushed the pace better in the second but still struggled to register stops against the talented Berlin players. As Ulm began changing defenses, ALBA continued to milk the clock and break down Ulm defenders off dribble penetration creating opportunities late in possessions. Ulm triggered some open court transition situations on misses, but Berlin's Dijon Thompson and Bobby Brown hit big late-clock shots in the first half. With re-newed life from their first half comeback and strong second quarter finish, ratiopharm Ulm wanted to open up the game in the second half.
Kyle Bailey slices to the rim past Vujadin Subotic of ALBA Berlin. KB was outstanding as a floor general and added 16 points on 3 of 4 three point shooting for his team.
As third quarter action began, Ulm and ALBA exchanged easy baskets. Despite allowing a few scores, the tempo was elevated and Ulm began to find a rhythm. Ulm took their first lead with an EJ Gallup 3 at 51-50 with 6 minutes remaining in the third. Showing their class, ALBA was not phased. During this phase, it was Dijon Thompson who took over. Scoring off dribble drives, pull up jumpers or spot up threes, Thompson was a scoring machine with clutch baskets and big plays. He scored back to back big baskets which matched and neutralized two Kyle Bailey scores. But just as Ulm made their run to pull even, Berlin surged back ahead with a 7-0 spurt. 2 minutes before the end of the third, Ulm saw their deficit resurface at 63-55. Needing to rest some starters, the Ulm bench stepped up. In the critical moments to close the third quarter, Sean Finn and Konrad Wysocki spelled Bryan Lucas and Jeff Gibbs while Dru Joyce and Sebastian Betz gave the backcourt a breather. With the game in the balance, these players came up big. At the low point, Konrad came up empty missing two free throws. But suddenly ALBA head coach Luka Pavicevic was hit with a technical foul for leaving the coaching box. Both benches had been warned specifically at halftime and in this critical moment, Ulm fell into an opportunity to help turn the tide. Joyce cooly collected one of two free throws and Sean Finn added back to back tip in baskets to help Ulm finished the third quarter with a mini-run. Heading into the fourth, Ulm trailed ALBA 66-60. It was still anybody's ball game. As with great players, the Berlin stars shined in the fourth. Guard Julius Jenkins scored 4 straight points. EJ Gallup and Kyle Bailey responded for Ulm. With 8 minutes to play, Ulm still trailed 71-62.
Of the games many big baskets, Ulm's Konrad Wysocki sank the biggest with a clutch corner three ball with under one minute to play. Konrad continued his excellent season with a hardworking 8 point 12 rebound effort.
Berlin seemed in control. Ulm worked relentlessly to climb back into the game. Then, like the end of the first quarter, Ulm's rookie Dru Joyce rose to the occassion. With the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd urging on the comeback, Dru took a ball reversal pass on the right wing and hoisted a three. Seconds later, the swish sent shock waves through the gym as the fans roared. Dru's big shot cut the Berlin lead to three 71-68. Cooly, the professional shooter, Dijon Thompson sank the answer --- a three at the other end, 74-68 Berlin. Again, Ulm seemed unable to get over the hump. But moments later, on the other end of the floor, the momentum would turn. As Ulm defended Berlin's offense, a ballscreen and dive drew extra help. ALBA's intelligent response all game was to swing the ball to wide open shooters as Ulm defenders scrambled. Most of the game they found open shooters. Now, in the fourth quarter and ratiopharm Ulm thirsting for a stop, Berlin swung the basketball to point guard Bobby Brown on the backside left wing. Reading the play, Ulm's Jeff Gibbs scrambled and rotated on the flight of the ball. As Brown eyed the hoop and raised to fire, Ulm's Mr Incredible closed out and challenged the shot --- Ulm's All Star power forward powerfully pounded Brown's shot into the Kuhberg crowd! The monster block was just what the team needed. Ulm exploded to a 10-0 run with fantastic team play as Bryan Lucas, Gibbs, Konrad Wysocki and Kyle Bailey scored to give their team a late lead. A key was the Ulm defense which forced several turnovers including an intense effort 8 second backcourt call.
Trailing 24-6, few believed in a comeback --- but ratiopharm Ulm did.
ALBA's Dijon Thompson got their big basket again, 78-76 Ulm. Bryan Lucas finished a tough post move in the lane regaining Ulm's 4 point lead, 80-76. But ball reversal found Goran Nikolic open and he calmly buried a big Berlin basket. Ulm lead 79-78. Jeff Gibbs was fouled sending him to the line where he sank two putting Ulm up 81-78. On the ensuing possession, Bobby Brown buried a game-tying three with just over 1 minute to play. 81-81, Sportszentrum Kuhberg's crowd went crazy. Ulm's next offensive possession found Konrad Wysocki open in the right corner where he stepped up and knocked down a huge three pointer that nearly blew the roof off! As both benches strategically managed the end of game situations, the final minute stretched on and on.
Ulm post man Bryan Lucas scores a clutch basket over ALBA's Patrick Femerling. The underrated blue-collar Lucas was a major factor in Ulm success scoring 17 points with 6 rebounds in the memorable win.
Another big Julius Jenkins basket trimmed Ulm's lead to 86-84 and ALBA played the fouling game. An immediate foul sent EJ Gallup to the foul line where he cooly sank back to back free throws putting Ulm up 88-84. Again, Jenkins fired back sinking a left wing three leaving Ulm up 1, 88-87. Gallup was fouled again and EJ made both count. Ulm led 90-87 with 8 seconds to play. Taking a purpose foul Ulm sent Bobby Brown to the foul line giving up the two free throws rather than allow the three point shot. Brown sank both foul shots and Berlin was back within one 90-89. Using the final timeout, Ulm moved the ball to halfcourt with 4 seconds remaining. Kyle Bailey took the sideline inbound pass and was fouled immediately. Showing the Alaskan Ice Water in his blood, KB sank both foul shots giving Ulm their 92-89 three point margin. Once again using a purpose foul, Ulm sent Jenking to the line with 2 seconds. Jenkins made the first pulling Berlin to 92-90. Attempting to miss the second intentionally Julius zinged the ball hard off the backboard without hitting the rim. A violation (the ball must hit the rim), Ulm took over with a sideline inbound 3/4 court in front of their bench. Konrad Wysocki tossed the ball down toward the ALBA basket and as Bryan Lucas touched the pass the buzzer sounded sealing ratiopharm Ulm's amazing upset win over ALBA Berlin.
EJ Gallup sank a perfect 4 of 4 crunch time free throws!
The fantastic second half helped Ulm finished with 49% floor shooting, outrebound ALBA 35-27 and hit clutch shots including 10 of 21 threes in the game. Ulm suffered only 6 turnovers in the second half and made 20 of 30 free throws. Berlin also produced outstanding numbers including a sizzling 58% from the field and 10 of 22 from three. EJ Gallup paced the balanced Ulm attack with 19 points while Bryan Lucas added 17 points 6 rebounds, Jeff Gibbs a strong 16 point 7 board effort and Kyle Bailey chipped in 16 points of his own. Dru Joyce was excellent adding 12 points 3 assists and Konrad Wysocki made big plays in producing 8 points 12 rebounds for Ulm. Dijon Thompson led Berlin with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and Bobby Brown contributed 16 points 5 rebounds 4 assists. Goran Nikolic buried three 3's to finish with 13 points while Julius Jenkins scored 12 points with 6 boards and Patrick Femerling produced 12 points for Berlin.
Ulm celebrates the upset win!
Ulm players react to their amazing comeback! Here, Florian Mobius embraces Kyle Bailey as Sebastian Betz moves in.
A happy Thomas Stoll, Ulm GM, celebrates the big win with his youngest son Linus!
A historically significant win for ratiopharm Ulm, Saturday's amazing comeback was even more special because of the heart, teamwork and relentlessness demonstrated by the players. Taking on the Bundesliga's best like ALBA Berlin is a big challenge. For an organization like Ulm, no win is bigger. On this special night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, Ulm's dream finally came true.
ratiopharm Ulm returns to action Thursday evening in Koln when they tip off against the Koln 99ers in a game that can be viewed online all over the world on www.BBL.tv Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
