TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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Phantoms Haunt Ulm 83-80!
ratiopharm Ulm gave away a 10 point 4th quarter lead as New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig emerged with an 83-80 comeback win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm Saturday night. Braunschweig was the more aggressive and more physical team on the evening which spoiled an outstanding 29 point 9 rebound effort from Ulm power forward Jeff Gibbs. ratiopharm Ulm was outrebounded for the first time this season (40-35), surrendered a stunning 19 offensive rebounds and turned the ball over 18 times in the loss. Ulm slips to 4-6 for the season and looks to bounce back against Telekom Bonn Friday!
Jeff Gibbs drove Ulm's effort with 29 points and 9 boards!
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Ulm's Captain Emeka Erege finishes 2 of his 10 points strong!
Starting the game with a unique lineup, Braunschweig head coach Emir Mutapcic inserted big man Vladimir Tica into the starting five. Meanwhile, ratiopharm Ulm countered with their regular 5 of "Rowland, Levy, Erege, Gibbs and Lucas. Soon after the opening tip, the teams began to exchange baskets. Back and forth, Ulm and Braunschweig took turns successfully making plays. Immediately, Braunschweig established their big, phyiscal presence, Post players Tica and Greg Morgan pounded their way through resistance in the paint for buckets. ratiopharm Ulm players turned the basketball over and missed early finishes which allowed Braunschweg to get out into transition. Braunschweig sprinted to a small lead early on. As the action unfolded, it became clear that Jeff Gibbs would be the Ulm go-to-guy on the day. Gibbs powered his way down the lane with strong drives and basket cuts. A late first quarter surge helped pull Ulm back into the game and after one quarter Braunschweig held a slim 20-18 advantage.
ratiopharm Ulm's Jonathan Levy slams home a first half give and go from Gibbs!
Unfortunately, ratiopharm Ulm fell into the trap of thinking their effort and ability could be turned on and off like a water faucet. Ulm regained the lead in the second quarter after receiving strong efforts off the bench from PG Martin Thuesen and Jan Sprunken. A beautiful Gibbs to Levy "give and go" finished with an exciting Jono slam dunk highlighting the Ulm run to take the lead. Somehow, after exchanging baskets for 20 minutes, Ulm held a slim 49-47 lead at the half. Inexplicably thinking there would be some decisive run to take command of the game, Ulm provided little defensive resistance to the Braunschweig attack. Braunschweig pounded the ball inside and C Vladimir Tica tallied an impressive 18 points 7 rebounds in the first half. Amazingly, Braunschweig outrebounded Ulm 22-13 in the first twenty minutes including 6 offensive rebounds to Tica. Braunschweig shot 52% from the field in the first half. On the offensive end, Ulm shot 58% and made 10 of 15 free throws compared to Braunschweig's 1-1 attempt in quarters one and two.
Ulm's Martin Thuesen was strong off the bench against Braunschweig!
Before the start of the second half, Ulm focused on their effort and energy especially on the defensive end. Aiming to improve from the first half, Ulm returned to the floor ready to make a run. Gibbs' outstanding evening continued with a solid third quarter. Emeka Erege also elevated his effort and produced points. Unfortunately, two set backs stymied Ulm in the third. First, after hustling hard after a loose ball, Ulm G Jan Sprunken collided with a Braunschweig player head to head. Injured and down, Sprunken eventually left the floor with Ulm medical personnel. Braunschweig continued to hang around. After losing Sprunken to his head injury, Emeka Erege looked to step up. Working hard to finish the 3rd quarter strong, Emeka buried a buzzer beating runner at the end of the third sending Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd into a frenzy. Unfortunately, officials disallowed the basket erasing Emeka's spectacular, momentum building play. Ulm outscored Braunschweig 18-17 in the third to take a 67-64 lead into the final quarter.
Ulm's Konrad Wysocki attacks Braunschweig C Milko Bjelica. Konrad scored 4 points with 5 rebounds in the game.
With a strong five minute run, ratiopharm Ulm built on their slim advantage. Jeff Gibbs and Bryan Lucas sparked the Ulm run and Maksym Shtein sank 4 free throws to extend Ulm's lead. With 5 minutes remaining, Ulm held a 10 point lead and seemed to be in cruise control. But then again, that turned out to be the problem. Braunschweig switched to a simple 2-3 zone and Ulm's attack stalled. Easing back and allowing buckets, Ulm's transition game slowed --- and with it, the tempo. Rather than attack against the zone, Ulm passed the ball around like the Washington Generals. Soon, possession by possession, Ulm's lead had dripped away until a big Braunschweig basket gave them a one point lead with just under one minute to play. Out of a timeout, a penetrating Austen Rowland fed a baseline cutting Emeka Erege for a potential big play, but Braunschweig defenders slapped the ball away as Erege attacked the rim. After free throws extended the Braunschweig advantage, an Austen Rowland midlane runner rimmed out and Braunschweig was poised to steal the comeback win as time was running out.
Discussions over an Ulm disallowed first half basket.
When the final buzzer sounded, Braunschweig celebrated an 83-80 comeback win which was both what Braunschweig did and what Ulm did not do. Give credit to Braunschweig who worked extremely hard and played very physical, but also acknowledge Ulm's less than strong defensive effort. Ulm's young team approached the game like an "Aufsteiger", and learned the hard lesson that there are no easy games in the Bundesliga.
For the game, Ulm shot 45% from the floor (28-61) and 75% from the foul line (20-27). Braunschweig hit 41% from the floor (33-79) and a perfect 12-12 from the foul line. Braunschweig outrebounded Ulm 40-35 including a powerful 19 offensive rebounds. Jeff Gibbs was in outstanding form scoring 29 points with 9 rebounds. Austen Rowland (11), Bryan Lucas (10) and Emeka Erege (10) all reached double figures for Ulm. Braunschweig's Vladimir Tica led their team in scoring with 18 points all scored in the first half! Milko Bjelica added 18 points and 8 rebounds in the win.
At 4-6 ratiopharm Ulm looks ahead to Friday's road game at Telekom Bonn. The injured Jan Sprunken will be evaluated early this week in Ulm.
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GO ULM!
MIKE T
