Ulm Improves to 11-0 with win over Bayreuth!!
ratiopharm Ulm improved to 11-0 in 2.Bundesliga South play with a hard earned 82-67 home victory over visiting BBC Bayreuth Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Jonathan Levy topscored with 21 points and Jeff Gibbs added a powerful double double of 17 points and 16 rebounds as Ulm handed the shorthanded Bayreuth team their 4th loss of the season and second at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in two months. Playing with only 7 players due to injuries and player moves, Bayreuth gave outstanding effort despite their less than pefect circumstances. Former Ulm shooting guard Logi Gunnarsson impressed his former fans from the perimeter while big man Brandon Griffin pounded the boards and the paint --- both led Bayreuth scoring with 19 points apiece. Setting the tone early, Ulm jumped out to a 9-0 lead and never looked back. Playing with the lead from tip to buzzer, Ulm established a 10 point (47-37) halftime lead and took control of the game early in the third quarter building a 20 point advantage before Bayreuth fought back. ratiopharm Ulm's team defense and team play added up to the teams 11th win this season and kept the team rolling right along atop the 2.Bundesliga South.
Ulm defense limited Bayreuth to 38% shooting and forced 17 turnovers in the win.
In one of the more exciting matchups of the season, Bayreuth visited Sportszentrum Kuhberg for the second time after the October German Cup meeting between the two teams. Although Bayreuth entered the evening shorthanded dressing only 7 players, this league matchup featured a more together opponent with much improved fighting spirit. Talented players such as Brandon Griffin and Logi Gunnarsson were determined to lead their team to a road win in Kuhberg making up for being bounced from the Cup weeks earlier. The return of a healthy Dominic Zimmermann, the Bayreuth point guard and team captain, was a tremendous boost for their organization and execution. Inspiring his team over the last several weeks, Zimmermann would be a key factor in Bayreuth's improved play.
The game began as expected. With only 7 players, Bayreuth opened in a zone to conserve energy and fouls. Ulm responded right away with a three point bonanza! Point guard Martin Thuesen drilled the first triple and was quickly followed by Jonathan Levy and big man Jeff Gibbs. Ulm jumped out to a 9-0 lead and seemed on their way to a big night. But Bayreuth retaliated immediately as Brandon Griffin and Logi Gunnarsson produced points. Gunnarsson sank a a running shot off glass, snuck free from a screen to hit a tough contested J and drilled a right corner three over the outstretched arm of Gibbs. Meanwhile, Griffin relentlessly rebounded, powerfully penetrated and smoothly sank jumpers in the early going. Ulm transition game earned easy baskets and kept the home team just ahead of their determined opponents. After one quarter, Ulm held a slim 22-19 lead.
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs and Bayreuth's Brandon Griffin were powerful in the paint for their respective teams. Gibbs scored 17pts with 16reb while Griffin went for 19pts 12reb.
In for a battle, between quarters Ulm discussed the need for team rebounding and energized defensive play as the game progressed into quarter two. Powerful inside plays from Jeff Gibbs, smooth perimeter shots from Thuesen, Erege and Levy and solid team defense gave Ulm the chance to add to their lead. In a hot shooting first half, Ulm hit 8 of 16 three pointers breaking the Bayreuth zone and sparking the team to a lead. Bayreuth Head Coach Marco Amelow kept his team close with momentum killing timeouts and big baskets from Griffin, Gunnarsson and Zimmermann helped the visitors stay within striking distance. But a strong finish to the first half allowed Ulm some breathing room. With under one minute remaining in the second quarter, Ulm executed a 2 for 1 situation to perfection. After scoring an initial bucket with just under 40 seconds to play, Ulm defense forced an errant pass on the right sideline resulting in a turnover returning possession of the ball to Ulm for the final shot of the half. Bayreuth called a timeout allowing Ulm to organize themselves even more. Switching defense into a 2-3 zone, Ulm quickly countered into another quickhitter which executed a flare screen high on the right wing. Christian Grosse caught the skip pass and deftly dropped a dime to slipping screener Florian Mobius slicing to the right block. Behind the defense, Mobius pivoted and banked in the basket before helpside defense could arrive just before the final buzzer. With the good game management, Ulm entered the halftime lockreroom up ten 47-37. The 25-18 second quarter was just what they needed.
Current Ulm shooting guard Jonathan Levy went head to head with former Ulmer scoring threat Logi Gunnarsson. Both players played well with Levy topscoring at 21pts while Gunnarsson gave Ulm 19pts in return.
At the half, Ulm emphasized defensive intensity and team rebounding. The team also reviewed their offensive attack and discussed several offensive tactics to turn to in the second half. Out of the halftime talk, the team returned to the floor with a good game plan for the final 20 minutes.
Immediately the starters went to work. Jeff Gibbs powered through for two. Excellent team defense and rebounding recorded stops allowing Ulm to get out into transition. Emeka Erege, Jonathan Levy and Martin Thuesen were all in attack mode and several easy baskets added to the Ulm lead. Fullcourt changing defense forced turnovers including a backcourt 8 second count that frustrated Bayreuth players. After a timeout, Bayreuth worked their way back into the game behind Griffin scoring inside. Letting the starters run with their rhythm, Ulm gained a firm grasp on the action in the third quarter. A beautiful give and go passing play between big men Jeff Gibbs and Maksym Shtein resulted in a right block bank shot from Shtein. The 17-14 Ulm third quarter pushed Ulm ahead to a 64-51 lead after three.
Ulm point guard Martin Thuesen sparked his team early with two first half three pointers and solid on ball defense. Here, lining up for his shot, Thuesen takes a ball reversal pass from Captain Emeka Erege.
Play began to get physical in the fourth quarter. On one possession midway through the final frame, hardworking Johannes Schlamminger was whistled for back to back fouls riding his man on consecutive cuts by Emeka Erege. Erege took exception to Bayreuth big man Lars Grubler bumping cuts with extra contact. Officials allowed both teams to play and physical contact was at a maximum. Jan Sprunken returned to the floor with instant impact drawing a foul from Grubler on a three point attempt from the right wing. Sprunken sank all 3 free throws and sealed the Ulm win. Emptying the bench in the final minute, the young team members took in some game action as Antonis Sivorotka, Benni Gulde, Sebastian Geserick and Marcel Friede all entered the game. The foursome earned a strong win for Ulm farm team Neu Ulm earlier in the afternoon under the direction of Ulm assistant coach Jakob Moeller. As the final buzzer sounded and Ulm fans celebrated to the teams 82-67 win.
Ulm wing Jan Sprunken made his minutes count scoring 10pts in 9 plus minutes of court time. The veteran Sprunken scored an energizing breakaway bucket in the first half and drilled three free throws after being fouled attempting his patented three point shot in the second half.
Jonathan Levy led four Ulm double figure scorers with 21 points on 8 of 15 shooting. Levy hit 3 of 7 threes, grabbed 4 boards and dished out 4 assists. Jeff Gibbs made 5 of 13 shots on his way to a solid 17 points while adding 16 boards and 4 assists. Emeka Erege added a strong 13 points and 6 rebounds while Jan Sprunken contributed 10 points including a perfect 6 for 6 from the charity stripe. Martin Thuesen and Maksym Shtein scored 6 points apiece while Christian Grosse added 5 and Florian Mobius 4 point and 4 boards. For Bayreuth, Gunnarsson and Griffin led the way with 19 points apiece followed by Zimmermann with 10. Christoph Tetzner added 8, Lars Grubler 6 and Johannes Schlamminger 5. Griffin led Bayreuth's effort on the boards with 12 while Grubler added 11 rebounds.
Bayreuth was relentless on the boards and their effort was rewarded with this Brandon Griffin basket.
For the game, Ulm hit 29-66 shots for 44% including 9 of 24 from three point range for 38%. Ulm did hit 8 of 16 threes in the first half before converting only 1 of 8 in the second half. As a team Ulm hit 15 of 20 free throws and distributed 18 assists to 13 turnovers. On the other bench, Bayreuth sank 23 of 60 shots for 38% from the floor and hit 6 of 26 threes (23%). Bayreuth made 15 of 21 foul shots and suffered 17 turnovers to 7 assists. Bayreuth did outrebound Ulm 40-38 in the game.
Ulm's win also marked the 22nd straight 2.Bundesliga South home win for the team which last lost a regular season home game 94-87 to Chemnitz April 8, 2004. Ulm did recently fall at home in the German Cup to Jena November 9th snapping the teams overall home win streak.
Now 11-0 in the league, ratiopharm Ulm remains in first place with a 2 game advantage over second place erdgas Baskets Jena and Chemnitz 99ers who are both 9-2. Looking ahead, next weekend will be an outstanding 2.Bundesliga South basketball weekend as teams play a double header weekend with games on Friday and Sunday. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com
GO ULM!
MIKE T
