TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
84 
69
ALBA CONTROLS ULM!
ALBA BERLIN REMAINS UNBEATEN AT HOME!
With excellent focus and physical defense, German champion ALBA Berlin controlled the game and cruised to an 84-69 home win over ratiopharm Ulm Wednesday night at O2 World in Berlin. Ulm's 1 for 13 three point shooting in the first half helped ALBA build a 41-26 halftime lead before Berlin maintained control throughout the second half. A focused ALBA team shot 54% from the floor as Immanuel McElroy celebrated his birthday with a 13 point 10 rebound performance while Ansu Sesay and Steffen Hamann contributed 13 points of their own. ratiopharm Ulm All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs produced a 15 point 11 rebound double double, Sebastian Betz added 12 points and Sean Finn 10.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs powers his way to the basket as ALBA Berlin's Adam Chubb and Casey Jacobsen defend.
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With tremendous motivation heading into their first appearance at beautiful new O2 World Arena and positive feeling from their recent five-win-in-six game run including Sunday's big home win over Telekom Baskets Bonn, ratiopharm Ulm tipped off their two game road trip this week in the historic city of Berlin with a challenging road game against reigning Bundesliga champion ALBA Berlin. After upsetting ALBA Berlin in two regular season Bundesliga games and falling short in a double overtime German Cup thriller last year, ratiopharm Ulm eagerly anticipated their first appearance at O2 World.
As teams went through pre-game warmups, ALBA Berlin was forced to play without two key players as Bundesliga MVP Julius Jenkins (flu) joined talented guard Rashad Wright (ankle injury) on the scratch list. Berlin head coach Luka Pavicevic turned to his bench including popular German guards Steffan Hamann and ALBA captain Johannes Herbert for key roles in the game against Ulm. Most important, the entire ALBA team rallied around their missing key players and were focused.
ratiopharm Ulm wing Sebastian Betz enjoyed a terrific game against ALBA Berlin scoring 12 points with tremendous energy off the bench.
At tip off, ALBA Berlin focused their defense immediately. Ulm attempted to establish the post but ALBA's physical, pressure defense forced tough Ulm shots. Ulm competed well early in the action as both teams worked to find their rhythm and gain control of the tempo. Five minutes into the game, Berlin held a 9-8 lead. But ALBA's strong defense forced Ulm to settle for perimeter shots. Ulm came up empty on several possessions and quickly fell off Berlin's pace. On the offensive end, ALBA hit shots to edge ahead and at the end of the first quarter, Berlin led 24-15.
Ulm floor general Dru Joyce glides to the basket for an uncontested layup against ALBA Berlin Wednesday night at O2 World in Berlin.
As quarter two began, Ulm's ice-cold shooting continued. ALBA's excellent team defensive effort contested Ulm's offense with pressure and forced Ulm out of their rhythm. Trying to find a spark, Ulm trailed 29-22 with five minutes remaining in the first half. But ALBA Berlin would make their run. As Ulm's perimeter shots rimmed out, the teams energy level dropped on the defensive end. The experienced ALBA team which advanced to the Top 16 of the Euroleague, immediately took control. ALBA's accurate perimeter shooting combined perfectly with the strong defensive effort. Trailing 41-26 at the half, Ulm had been well-defended by Berlin and simply missed the few open looks and opportunities that presented themselves in the first twenty minutes.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn works inside against ALBA defenders Casey Jacobsen and Adam Chubb Wednesday night at O2 World in Berlin.
At the half, Ulm regrouped in the beautiful O2 World lockerroom specifically addressing their lower defensive energy level and details within their offensive execution. Adjusting the ball-screen defense and reinforcing need to work for good shots with offensive balance, Ulm returned to the floor aiming to cut into the deficit and dig out of their 15 point hole.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie point guard Per Gunther finished a floater Wednesday night at O2 World in Berlin.
As the second half started, it became clear it was not Ulm's day. Despite their best efforts to execute better and defend with more energy, ALBA Berlin's experience allowed them to maintain control. Berlin powered to a 13-8 run through the first five minutes of the third quarter building a commanding 50-34 advantage. Point guard Steffen Hamann and guard Immanuel McElroy triggered the run with their intense defensive work and intelligent playmaking. ALBA's focused defensive effort and sharp offensive performance stretched the margin to 66-45 after three.
ratiopharm Ulm sharpshooter Lee Humphrey extends to finish as Adam Chubb challenges in Wednesday nights action.
In the fourth, Ulm's changing defense and bench players helped them narrow the gap. Sebastian Betz was extremely active during this stretch and sparked Ulm with 12 second half points. Small runs helped Ulm make the game more respectable as the team worked to finish strong and take momentum into Saturday nights road game at Koeln. At the final buzzer, ALBA Berlin had earned a clear 84-69 home win over ratiopharm Ulm. Consistent with the early season meeting which saw ALBA win 85-69 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm, Wednesday nights win kept ALBA unbeaten at home against Bundesliga competition and gave Berlin a season sweep over ratiopharm Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Romeo Travis hammers a dunk Wednesday night at O2 World Arena in Berlin.
Jeff Gibbs led the Ulm attack with a 15 point 11 rebound double double, Sebastian Betz contributed 12 points off the bench in an excellent effort and Sean Finn reached double digits with 10. For the game ratiopharm Ulm hit 41% of their shots but only 4 of 25 threes (18%) well below their season average. Ulm made 13 of 18 free throws (72%) and outrebounded ALBA 36-31. Berlin shot 54% from the floor making 8 of 21 threes (38%) and 18 of 28 free throws (64%) in their win.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Keith Triplett shoots as ALBA's Immanuel McElroy looks on.
With the loss, ratiopharm Ulm slips to 17-9 on the season and evens at 7-7 on the road. Staying in Berlin Thursday, Ulm practiced at historic MaxSchmellinghalle in the afternoon before enjoying the city at night. Flying to Koln Friday morning, ratiopharm Ulm will practice at Rheinenergie Dome in the afternoon in preparation for Saturday's road game against the Koln 99ers which will complete their two game road trip.
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GO ULM!
MIKE T
