TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
87 
72
Bamberg Tops Ulm!
ratiopharm Ulm made their Bundesliga premier on Premiere with an exciting hardfought defeat to powerful brose Baskets Bamberg 87-72 before an energized sold out Sportszentrum Kuhberg Sunday night in Ulm Germany. A poised, disciplined and deep Bamberg team demonstrated their outstanding potential with terrific team defense and exceptional floor shooting hitting 61% for the game. Clutch shots from Adam Harrington, Robert Garret and Vincent Yarbrough complemented an excellent floor game from PG DC Collins who led the Bamberg attack with 18 points 9 assists. Ulm's first half effort earned a 33-29 lead with just over 3 minutes remaining in the second quarter, but costly turnovers and consecutive bad shots gave Bamberg an opportunity which Yarbrough cashd in by sinking consecutive transition threes regaining a Bamberg lead and finishing the half at 41-35. Bamberg's clutch plays and discipline built on the lead and opened the game in the second half. Now 3-4, ratiopharm Ulm draws many positives from their Premiere performance on and off the floor as they look ahead to two road games this week against Baden Wurttemburg rivals BG Karlsruhe (Wednesday) and league leading EnBW Ludwigsburg (Saturday).
Ulm's Konrad Wysocki energized Sportszentrum Kuhberg with this first half dunk!
Click here Photo Gallery Ulm v Bamberg
Premiere TV Highlights
http://ftp.basketball-bundesliga.de/videos/Highlights_7.Spieltag_Ulm_Bamberg.wmv
click here for Ulm v Bamberg Box Score
Sportszentrum Kuhberg welcomed a sellout crowd for ratiopharm Ulm's first television game since returning to the Bundesliga after a five season absence. Renewing a storied rivalry between Ulm and Bamberg, Premiere focused their broadcast on the "Aufsteiger" Ulm against the title candidate Bamberg. Jam packed into the Kuhberg stands, 400 rowdy Bamberg fans made their presence felt with outstanding noise and support for their beloved team. Meanwhile, ratiopharm Ulm fans took pride in the exciting Sunday evening event which gave all of Germany a glimpse into ratiopharm Ulm for a few hours.
Immediately from the tip, the physical Bamberg team asserted themselves. Power forward Ke'Zell Wesson hammered Ulm G Jonathan Levy on a baseline screen freeing Adam Harrington for an open J. Wesson also stone-walled Ulm F Jeff Gibbs on two early post touches. The strong start from Bamberg ignited their fanatic fans who made the trip to Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Whistled for an early foul, Levy was charged with his 2nd foul just 1:38 into the game. Quickly, Ulm inserted shooting guard Jan Sprunken into the game. Opening at a fast tempo both teams attacked end to end. Sprunken was active on the boards and hitting a three from the right win. Ulm C Bryan Lucas nailed two threes in the early action and Ulm kept pace with Bamberg. Rotating the bench into action, ratiopharm Ulm received energy from F Konrad Wysocki and Maksym Shtein to finish the first quarter. Making a run, Ulm charged to a 25-21 lead after one.
Ulm C Bryan Lucas returned to the starting lineup for a solid 12 point 4 rebound effort.
Ulm's excellent run was keyed with quality defense and effort from the team. Emeka Erege and Konrad Wysocki got big baskets for Ulm as the run continued into the second quarter. Playing intelligently with two fouls, Levy returned for a short stint but Ulm's Sprunken, Erege and Wysocki made important contributions on the wing. Capitalizing on the energy in the gym, Ulm led 33-25 with 5 minutes remaining in 1st half. But following a Dirk Bauermann timeout, the experienced Bamberg made a 10-0 run comprised of clutch shots to regain a 35-33 lead. Ulm turnovers and back to back quick threes were the inexperienced-mistakes Bamberg waited for --- when they occurred, Vincent Yarbrough buried two transition threes and Ulm's hardearned lead evaporated in seconds. An Ulm timeout slowed the run but Bamberg took a 41-35 into half.
Ulm's Jonathan Levy dunks over Bamberg's Chris Ensminger in the 3rd quarter Sunday. Levy scored 11 points despite early foul trouble.
Aiming to make a strong third quarter run, ratiopharm Ulm attempted cut into the lead. But several turnovers and missed shots allowed Bamberg to get out into transition. Opening the 3rd quarter with an 11-4 run, Bamberg burst to a 52-39. After a timeout to make adjustments, Ulm mounted a comeback. Inspired by a powerful two hand tipdunk from Jonathan Levy, Ulm brought the crowd back into the game. Strong post play from Maksym Shtein and Jeff Gibbs chipped away at the deficit and after three, Ulm had worked their way back into the game trailing by only 7 at 57-50.
ratiopharm Ulm captain Emeka Erege drills a pull up J over German National team wing Robert Garrett in Sunday's game. Erege gave exceptional effort in the loss and added 8 points 4 rebounds.
Both teams gave excellent effort throughout the evening, but it soon became apparent who the experienced squad was. The Bamberg depth was demonstrated when C Chris Ensminger made several excellent post moves for big baskets in the fourth quarter. Playing major minutes for under-the-weather topscoring big man Darren Fenn, Ensminger made strong post moves with both the right and left hand for bank in buckets when Bamberg need them most. German National team sharpshooter, Robert Garrett sank two big threes at the 6 minute and 4 minute mark keeping Ulm's comeback attempt at bay. When Ulm tried to make a run, basketballs bounced the Bamberg way and floor general DC Collins made plays. Collins left a slick transition drop pass leading to a Wesson three point play, buried a triple of his own and nailed a crafty step back jumper from the right wing. He also penetrated hard along the baseline drawing defenders before sliding a smooth bounce pass to the right corner for a spot up Adam Harrington three. As Ulm's comeback attempt lost steam, an intentional foul was whistled on Bryan Lucas for a hard foul. Bamberg was positioned for the win building on their 10 point lead. A late technical foul on Jeff Gibbs for touching the ball after dunking hard basically sealed the deal. Ulm G Christian Grosse kept the fight going until the final buzzer by sinking a right wing three. At the final buzzer, Bamberg showed their class with a 30-22 4th quarter finish to earn a well-deserved 87-72 victory.
Ulm PG Austen Rowland splits between Bamberg defenders Tim Begley and Chris Ensminger (4) in the first half Sunday. Rowland finished with 7 points 6 assists and 5 steals.
Bamberg improved to 3-1 on the season with a strong team win. DeJuan Collins led the way with 18 points and 9 assists while big man Chris Ensminger added 15 points and 9 boards. Shooters Adam Harrington (16 points), Vincent Yarbrough (5 for 5 for 13 points) and Robert Garrett (two clutch threes), gave Bamberg a big spark and helped the team hit an impressive 61% from the floor for the game. ratiopharm Ulm was led by Jeff Gibbs' strong 14 point 9 rebound effort despite excellent defense from Bamberg and forward Ke'zell Wesson. Ulm was effective getting to the foul line and hitting 22 of 28 free throws (78%). They also outrebounded Bamberg 33-29. In the end, the deeper, more experienced, more developed Bamberg team earned the victory with quality play.
Bamberg leader DeJuan "DC" Collins was in top form Sunday leading his team with 18 points 9 assists in the win.
Premiere TV presented the enthusiastic Ulm environment with pleasure and ratiopharm Ulm is eager for future television coverage including a December 17th road game at Bremerhaven and a potential second Live home telecast after Christmas. The tremendous fan support in Sportszentrum Kuhberg added to the excitement of the evening and showcased the Bundesliga on TV. Despite the loss on the scoreboard, the ratiopharm Ulm organization won on Sunday with a respectful performance on Premiere!
Jeff Gibbs led Ulm with 14 points 9 rebounds despite an outstanding defensive effort from Bamberg F Ke'Zell Wesson.
For ratiopharm Ulm, the week ahead is just as exciting as the bright lights from Sunday's home game. This week is "RIVALRY WEEK" as Ulm travels to BG Karlsruhe Wednesday for a 6pm tip before heading to league leading EnBW Ludwigsburg Saturday. Both teams are within 2 hours distance of the others within the German state of Baden Wurtemburg. To be sure these classic games are extra special for basketball fans in the region.
Ulm GM Thomas Stoll with expert analysis during his Halftime interview live on Premiere!
Follow all the fastbreaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
