TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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BONN TOPS ULM IN OPENER!
ratiopharm Ulm tipped off their 2009-2010 Beko Basketball Bundesliga season with a hardfought 89-81 home loss to Telekom Baskets Bonn Friday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. After a slow start which saw Ulm trail 49-37 at half and by as many as 16 points in the third quarter, the young Ulm team stormed back taking a 66-65 lead into the fourth. But experience and big shots from Vincent Yarbrough and Artur Kolodziejski pushed Bonn to the road win. Robin Benzing and Lee Humphrey scored 15 points apiece to pace the Ulm attack.
ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice (left) and Christian Burns (right) rebound in Friday nights season opener against Telekom Baskets Bonn.
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After an injury-riddled preseason, ratiopharm Ulm was happy to start the 2009-2010 Bundesliga season with a healthy and complete roster. To everyone's surprise, reigning Bundesliga Rookie of the Year Per Gunther was cleared to play for Friday's home opener after rehabilitating his foot injury suffered with the German National team this summer. Without playing a preseason game, Ulm carefully encorprated their talented young playmaker back into active duty. Along with Per, several other Ulm players were happy to put the injuries of the preseason behind them and look forward to the fresh start of the first game.
ratiopharm Ulm post man Coleman Collins finger rolls at the rim in the first half.
At tip off, ratiopharm Ulm started slow allowing several easy baskets from Bonn big man Chris Ensminger. A bit nervous early on, Ulm came up empty through several possessions on the offensive end. Bonn led 11-9 five minutes into the game before they found their rhythm and raced to a 17-10 finish to the first quarter. Veteran Vincent Yarbrough buried two three pointers totaling 10 points 4 rebounds in the first 10 minutes for Bonn. Physical post man Chris Ensminger was a perfect 4 for 4 in the first quarter adding 8 points and Bryce Taylor drained a three as part of 5 first quarter points. Bonn hit 75% of their shots from the floor in the first quarter compared with Ulm's 38% shooting. At the end of one, Bonn had control up 28-19.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Robin Benzing enjoyed a strong performance in his first Bundesliga game.
Quarter two Bonn continued their attack. Bryce Taylor scored on strong drives and added two more triples to finish the first half with 13 points. Point guard Jared Jordan triggered the Bonn offense setting up his teammates in transition or in the halfcourt as he distributed 8 first half assists. Bonn maintained their led through the entire second frame turning a 38-26 mid-quarter advantage into a 49-37 halftime lead. Bonn's physical play inside keyed their strong first half as they outrebounded Bonn 20-15. Another key was Bonn's sizzling outside shooting as the team sank 6 of 8 first half threes (75%).
At the half, Ulm regrouped in the lockerroom reinforcing defensive coaching points and details to improve performance in the second half. If Ulm's slow start was due to inexperience or nerves, the young Ulm team knew they could play much better in the second half. Staying positive and encouraging the team, Ulm staff focused for a run in the second half.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Christian Burns reaches for a rebound but Tim Ohlbrecht (14) takes control for Telekom Baskets Bonn.
As the second half started, Ulm could not capitalize on several early opportunities to cut into the Bonn lead. Immediately, Bonn made Ulm pay and stretched their advantage to 16 points 55-39 three minutes into the third quarter. Huddling in a timeout, Ulm turned the tide. Key in the teams run were subs John Bryant and Robin Benzing. Ulm stormed back through the third. Bryant provided a highlight play blocking a breakaway two-hand dunk attempt from Bonn's Bryce Taylor while Benzing provided the offense with 10 points in the comeback. Kevin Kanaskie drilled a top of the key three pulling Ulm to 57-46. Another Kanaskie three brought Ulm to 58-51. Bonn's Jared Jordan was hit with a technical foul and Ulm captain Lee Humphrey cashed in two foul shots before Robin Benzing faked a handoff, turned the corner and slammed home a baseline drive bringing Ulm within a basket 58-56. Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans energized their team! Per Gunther drove strong and finished at the rim evening the score at 58 and a Christian Burns drive and left wing three pointer at the end of the third gave Ulm a 63-62 lead and plenty of momentum!
Ulm's Rocky Trice and Bonn's Chris Ensminger
In the fourth, the action seemed like a flashback to last springs playoff series between Ulm and Bonn. Ulm had erased their deficit and fought back with tremendous heart in the third. Bonn opened the fourth with a baseline cross which freed Artur Kolodziejski on the right wing. The former Ulm guard buried the big three stabalizing Bonn reclaiming a 65-63 lead. Down the stretch, Ulm's offense fell off pace as Bonn slowly rebuilt their lead. Bonn took a 74-70 lead with five minutes in the game and Vincent Yarbrough sank a clutch left corner three extending their advantage to 79-70 with three minutes to play. Ulm finished the game strong but could not make up the deficit as the final score showed 89-81 at the buzzer.
Per Gunther defends Bonn point guard Jared Jordan in the season opener. After being cleared by the Ulm medical staff, Per returned from his foot injury and gave Ulm 16 solid minutes against Bonn.
Rookie forward Robin Benzing and captain Lee Humphrey led the ratiopharm Ulm with 15 points apiece while Coleman Collins added 13, Christian Burns 12 point 7 boards and Kevin Kanaskie 10 points 4 assists. Rocky Trice produced 8 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals for Ulm. As a team, Ulm shot 41% including 8 for 22 from three (36%) and 17 for 25 from the foul line (68%) compared with Bonn's 52% from the floor, 9 for 15 from three (60%) and 16 for 25 (64%) from the foul line. Bonn outrebounded Ulm 40-33. Chris Ensminger went for 18 points 6 rebounds pacing Bonn followed by 17 points from Vincent Yarbrough, 16 points from Bryce Taylor and 10 points 14 assists from Jared Jordan.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie point guard Kevin Kanaskie and Head Coach Mike Taylor talk strategy during a free throw.
Ulm's first game started slow but saw the young team comeback and finish strong. Friday nights loss to Telekom Baskets Bonn provided ratiopharm Ulm with several areas the young team needs to improve. But Friday's game also produced several positives for the young team to build on. And Ulm has no time to waste as they travel to east Germany Saturday for an afternoon tip off against MittelDeutscher Basketball Club (MBC) Sunday in Weissenfels. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
