TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
72 
62
DRAGONS HEAT UP IN 4TH!
A decisive late fourth quarte run lifted the Artland Dragons to a hardfought 72-62 win over ratiopharm Ulm Friday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. In a back and forth game through the first three quarters, Ulm offense sputtered in the fourth quarter as Artland outscored Ulm 19-11 down the stretch as Ulm shot 39% for the game. The lack of offensive production spoiled a solid team defensive and strong rebounding effort from ratiopharm Ulm. Power forward Christian Burns led Ulm scoring with a 20 point 7 rebound performance in the loss.
ratiopharm Ulm's Lee Humphrey hits a three in Friday's home game against the Artland Dragons.
click here for Box score
click here for photo gallery from Ulm v Artland
click here for regio-tv report
Friday nights game became the return of Austen Rowland to ratiopharm Ulm after the former Ulmer PG was denied his release in last weekends road loss at Giessen. Ulm fans could break out the old #31 jerseys as Rowland was back in action on the court at Sportszentrum Kuhberg against Artland. Also returning to the Ulm roster, captain Lee Humphrey was healthy after missing the Giessen game due to the flu. With a full lineup and focused week of preparation, ratiopharm Ulm took the floor ready for the challenge against the talented, athletic and deep Artland Dragons.
ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice attacks the basket in the first half of Friday's home game against the Artland Dragons.
At tip off, Sportszentrum Kuhberg filled for a Friday matchup against one of the deepest, most athletic teams in the Beko Bundesliga. Ulm's hardwork on their defense during the practice week was on display. Both teams worked extremely hard on the defensive end of the floor limiting offensive opportunities. After the defensive style of game was established, both teams dug in working for stops. Turnovers were part of the first few minutes for both teams as Ulm and Artland worked to establish their offensive rhythm. Artland edged ahead 11-6 after Ali Seggelke drilled a wing three. But Ulm's Robin Benzing answered with a right wing three of his own pulling Ulm even at 11. At the end of the first quarter, Ulm held a slim 12-11 lead.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Austen Rowland sparked a run in his first minutes back on court at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
Quarter two featured the return of Austen Rowland. While Ulm built a 14-11 lead, Artland's Ronald Ross evened the score at 14 with a three. The Dragons took a 17-16 lead after a strong three point play from forward Chad Prewitt. Robin Benzing drilled his second three of the game as the teams exchanged the lead. At the midpoint of the second quarter, Austen Rowland sparked an 8-0 Ulm run by sinking back to back three pointers and floating a perfect lob pass to a baseline cutting Rocky Trice that lifted Ulm to a 29-19 lead. Artland called a timeout. Out of the break, Artland's Folarin Campbell sank a three and the Dragons responded with a run of their own outscoring Ulm 7-0 cutting the halftime score to 29-26 for Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm huddles in the second half against the Artland Dragons Friday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
At the half, Ulm aimed for better offensive execution and stronger plays against the physical defensive pressure from the Dragons. Even though Ulm was able to build a lead, the Dragons capitalized on opportunities cutting into Ulm's lead. With the ups and downs of the first half, despite the teams exchanging runs, Ulm held on to a one point 31-30 halftime lead and that was something to build on. Ulm continued to emphasize their team defense and defensive rebounding effort which were positive parts of the first half performance.
ratiopharm Ulm's Coleman Collins hammers a thunderdunk in the second half against the Artland Dragons Friday night.
As the second half opened, Ulm built a lead as Lee Humphrey hit his first three of the game giving the hosts a 38-32 advantage. Artland picked up their play. An unsportsmanlike foul called against Per Gunther in a transition play helped the Dragons take a 41-38 lead. While the call hurt Ulm, it did bring the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd into the game. Ulm fought back. Lee Humphrey sank his second three pointer of the third quarter and Ulm regained the lead 48-47. With two minutes remaining in the third, Ulm's Coleman Collins hammered home a baseline drive off a pick and pop action from Austen Rowland. But the battle-tested Artland team finished the third quarter strong and took a tight 53-51 lead going into the fourth quarter.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther drives strong to the basket as Artland defenders Ali Seggelke and Darren Fenn (24) step in.
In the fourth, Ulm and Artland were even three minutes in. But the Dragons stepped up raising the level of their intensity and increasing their physical play. Turnovers hurt Ulm and helped Artland. Toby Bailey made a basket cut and finished with authority before Folarin Campbell added a bucket pushing Artland ahead 57-53. Moments later, a turnover led to an Austen Rowland unsportsmanlike foul against Artland's Charles Lee. The 8-0 Artland run broke the game open and gave the guests control of the game down the stretch. Leading 61-53, Ulm missed several opportunities to cut into the deficit. Poor execution and unfinished plays cost Ulm their chance at a comeback. With three minutes to play, Artland's Nathan Peavy was whistled for a fifth foul and Ulm had their final chance for a comeback trailing 67-55. As Ulm worked their special situation transition plays for quick scores in a desparate attempt to narrow the score in the closing minutes, good looks came up empty and the second ticked away on the 72-62 Dragons road win.
ratiopharm Ulm power forward Christian Burns takes Artland forward Nathan Peavy off the dribble in Friday nights game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
At the final buzzer, Ulm could only produce 62 points against the athletic Dragons defense. While Artland picked up their physical play and raised their intensity level for the final quarter, Ulm's mental and physical mistakes prevented them from keeping pace with the determined Dragons.
ratiopharm Ulm post man John Bryant eyes a free throw Friday night against the Artland Dragons.
ratiopharm Ulm was led by Christian Burns who finished with 20 points 7 rebounds on 7 for 10 shooting. Ulm's only other double figure scorer was Rocky Trice who had 11 points 4 boards in the loss. Producing only 62 points, Ulm shot 39% from the floor including 7 of 18 threes (38%) and 15 of 23 from the foul line (65%). Artland shot 47% from the floor but made only 3 of 17 threes (17%) and 17 of 22 free throws (77%). The Dragons outrebounded Ulm 33-28 in the game. Artland was led by Darren Fenn's 15 points 7 rebounds while Ali Seggelke and Ronald Ross chipped in 11 points apice.
After a weekend free, ratiopharm Ulm returns to the practice court Monday night working through the Holiday week in preparations for the Christmas Game Saturday night December 26th against Ewe Baskets Oldenburg 7pm at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
