TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
75 
72
ULM TAKES CHARGE!
ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice hit a mid-lane leaner with 29 seconds to play and Per Gunther took a charge in the closing seconds lifiting Ulm to a thrilling 75-72 home win over NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Christian Burns topscored for Ulm with 20 points 7 rebounds while Rocky Trice added 18 points and Lee Humphrey hit 3 of 5 threes adding 15 points to the win. A first half of runs, Ulm opened a 28-12 lead after one quarter before Braunschweig battled back to take a 42-41 lead at half. The exciting second half saw both teams make big plays on both ends of the floor. But the game's biggest plays belonged to Ulm as their team effort was highlighted by Rocky Trice's game-deciding basket and Per Gunther's tough D. Saturday night against Braunschweig, with the game on the line, Ulm took charge!
ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice drives the lane for his game-deciding basket Saturday night against Braunschweig.
click here for Box score
click here for Regio tv report
click here for Sudwest Presse Photo Gallery from Ulm v Braunschweig
click here for Neu-Ulm Zeitung Photo Gallery from Ulm v Braunschweig
ratiopharm Ulm's Coleman Collins hammers home a lob pass in the first half against Braunschweig!
Ulm entered Saturday's game against Braunschweig looking to bounce back from back to back road losses in Ludwigsburg and Bamberg. After Bamberg shot the lights out hitting 18 of 24 threes in their midweek matchup, Ulm refocused their energy on their defensive performance as they awaited the 6-1 Phantoms, arguably the hottest team in the BEKO Bundesliga.
ratiopharm Ulm's Per Gunther attacks the Phantoms defense.
ratiopharm Ulm adjusted their starting lineup for the first time this season as defensive specialist John Bryant was inserted into the starting five. Emphasizing team defense and looking for improved defensive play, the hardworking Bryant would not be expected to stuff the stat sheet with points or production. Instead, Ulm looked to John Bryant for energy, effort and hardwork on the defensive end.
ratiopharm Ulm's Christian Burns topscored with 20 points 7 rebounds in the win over Braunschweig.
At tip off, Ulm's new-look starting lineup featured defensive specialist John Bryant at the five spot. With the former St Joe's Hawk post man doing the dirty work under the boards, Ulm's defense started the game strong. Lee Humphrey drilled his first three pointer of the night putting Ulm on the scoreboard. Ulm power forward Christian Burns sparked an early Ulm run with exciting plays in transition and accurate outside shooting. The Philadelphia University product hit 4 of 5 first quarter shots producing 9 points for Ulm. Opening with a 9-3 lead, Ulm found their rhythm early adding three unanswered buckets capped by Per Gunther's driving layup that pushed the advantage to 15-3. Ulm's strong first quarter continued as the team dished out 8 assists and powered to a 28-12 lead at the end of one.
ratiopharm Ulm's Kevin Kanaskie defends a Phantoms sideline inbound play.
If the first quarter was Ulm's, quarter two belonged to Braunschweig. After Ulm found their rhythm early running to the 16 point advantage after one, the Phantoms slowly chipped away at their deficit and worked their way back into the game. Key to the Phantoms second quarter success, national team point guard Heiko Schaffartzik energized his team with scrappy play and big shots. Easy baskets for former Ulmer Nils Mittmann and post men Jason Cain and Nate Fox helped Braunschweig trim the gap. Lee Humphrey hit a tough pullup J for his 8th point of the first half giving Ulm a 35-22 lead with 5 minutes remaining in the second quarter. But Braunschweig would demonstrate how they earned a 6-1 record responding with a late first half run. The scrappy Phantoms mixed it up with Ulm and with 3 minutes remaining in the first half, Ulm's big lead was cut to seven 37-30. After opening the first half 0 for 11 from three point range, Heiko Schaffartzik buried two late second quarter threes giving the Phantoms instant energy and momentum. With 49 seconds remaining in the first half, a Kevin Hamilton basket evened the scoreboard at 39-39. Ulm answered taking a 41-39 advantage before Heiko Schaffarzik's second big three of the second quarter. After falling behind 28-12, Braunschweig had battled back to take a 42-41 lead into the half.
ratiopharm Ulm's Lee Humphrey fires a ball-ahead pass to a fast breaking Rocky Trice Saturday night against Braunschweig.
At the half, Ulm regrouped in the lockerroom reflecting upon their rollercoaster ride in the first twenty minutes. After exploding to a 28-12 lead after the first quarter, Ulm was outscored 30-13 in the second giving the guest Phantoms a tight 42-41 lead. Walking off the floor, Braunschweig held the momentum and energy while Ulm was frustrated at losing their lead.
ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice and John Bryant compete on the glass Saturday night against Braunschweig.
But as the second half opened, Ulm aimed to regain the momentum. As both teams battled for control of the action, the third quarter developed into an outstanding basketball game. John Bryant scored on a tip in and Lee Humphrey sank another J lifting Ulm to a 48-44 early third quarter lead. But another three from Schaffartzik and a physical inside finish from center Yassin Idbihi gave Braunschweig back to back three point plays helping the Phantoms retake the lead 50-48. Ulm's defense stepped up stopping Braunschweig on three consective possessions and when Christian Burns finished a fast break layup, Ulm had regained the lead 54-50. Officials whistled a technical foul on Schaffartzik and Robin Benzing sank one of two from the foul line. On Ulm's possession, Coleman Collins scored pushing Ulm to a 57-50 lead with two minutes remaining in the third. Moments later, it was Coleman Collins again, working hard on the offensive boards to tip in a basket that gave Ulm a 59-52 lead. But Heiko Schaffartzik cooly sank two free throws pulling the Phantoms within five at the end of the third, 59-54.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Robin Benzing at the foul line in Saturday's win over the Phantoms.
In the fourth, Ulm's home crowd at Sportszentrum Kuhberg became a factor. With loud support and energy for their team, the Ulm fans helped their young team make an early fourth quarter run highlighted by a Christian Burns steal and Rocky Trice layup. Leading 63-56, Ulm worked to build their lead. But the Phantoms were not finished. Two Nate Fox threes and another clutch Schaffartzik triple evened the score at 65-65 with five minutes to play. Down the stretch, both teams made big plays in what developed into a thrilling finish. With the score tied at 70, Braunschweig had a sideline inbound situation with 4 seconds remaining on the shot clock and 2:16 to play. Yassin Idbihi's post move miss was defensive rebounded by Ulm's Coleman Collins. Ulm held possession and probed the Phantoms defense for an opportunity. After the initial action of their set was well-defended, Ulm players moved the ball as the shot clock ticked down. Per Gunther regained possession and was forced to make a play. The young Ulm point guard sliced to the basket breaking through the Braunschweig defense for an uncontested layup with 1:46 to play. The big basket in the clutch was a solid answer from Per as he matched up head to head with the confident Schaffartzik. Phantoms head coach Sebastian Machowski entered two subsitutions into the game.
ratiopharm Ulm's Per Gunther extends to finish a key basket giving his team a 72-70 lead with 1:46 to play against Braunschweig.
There was little surprise when Braunschweig put the ball in Heiko's hands for money possessions late in the game. Working for a defensive stop, Ulm's team handled the top of the key ballscreen for Schaffartzik well. Braunschweig attempted to utilize a mismatch as Per Gunther defended Jason Cain in the post, but Cain's off balance leaner was off and rebounded by Ulm. With a chance to add to the lead, Ulm's Christian Burns drove strong to the baseline from the left wing. Braunschweig's Nate Fox and Jason Cain defended Christian well forcing a tough shot miss with 1:14 to play. Braunschweig raced up the floor. Kevin Hamilton cooly found Heiko Schaffartzik who settled in for a top of the key ballscreen from Nate Fox. Defended well once again, Ulm's Coleman Collins switched onto the scoring point guard and forced Heiko to use his dribble off the three point line. Pullup midlane, Heiko's shot rimmed out, but the rebound became a physical battle under the boards. Veteran Nate Fox positioned himself well and tipped in the game-tying basket. Ulm used their final timeout with 49.9 seconds to play.
On a run, ratiopharm Ulm comes to the bench after a first half Braunschweig timeout.
Even at 72-72, Ulm set their strategy as the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd stood and cheered with loud support. Inbounding the ball to Per Gunther in the backcourt, Ulm executed their play. Running off screens, Ulm's Rocky Trice took a pass from Lee Humphrey on the right wing. Attacking the middle, Trice penetrated and passed to a spotting up Humphrey. Without a clean look, Lee continued the play penetrating again. The former Florida Gator skipped the ball back to the former South Carolina Gamecock and Trice drove strong to the basket as the shot clock and game clock ticked down. Under control, Rocky used an effective shot fake to get Braunschweig defenders off their feet and out of rhythm before cleverly stepping through to create space for a controlled leaner in the lane. Rocky's clutch shot swished through putting Ulm up by two with 29 seconds to play. Kevin Hamilton pushed the ball up the floor and found Jason Cain open under the basket after a dive cut. Alertly, Ulm's John Bryant used his fifth and final foul preventing the easy score. Braunschweig had an endline inbound situation. The Phantoms entered the ball in play and Heiko Schaffartzik set the ball at the top of the key. The game clock ticked down as anticipation rose. With the floor spread and Braunschweig players along the baseline, Schaffartzik milked the clock preparing for the game deciding shot. Ulm was prepared for a ballscreen situation at the top of the key. Heiko waved off Nate Fox and called for Jason Cain to come from the block, but the Phantoms scoring point guard quickly waved Cain off too choosing an isolation against Per Gunther for the game-deciding scene. Heiko set up Per and drove strong with his left hand to the top of the key. Per intelligently played Heiko's left hand and waited for the contact. With two seconds to play, Per Gunther took the contact squarely in the chest and fell to the floor sliding across the Sportszentrum Kuhberg hardwood after drawing a charge. Giving up his body for his team, Gunther stepped up to the challenge when the game was on the line --- Per took charge.
Working to finish the game, Ulm's Rocky Trice inbounded the ball to Coleman Collins who drew a Phantoms foul. As players aligned themselves for the foul shots, Braunschweig's Nate Fox was hit with a technical foul after discussions with officials. After taking the charge seconds before, Per Gunther now stepped up to the foul line and made one of two foul shots pushing Ulm to a 75-72 lead. With 0.2 seconds on the clock, Ulm inbounded the ball midcourt to Lee Humphrey and the captain dribbled out the clock sealing Ulm's fourth win of the season.
ratiopharm Ulm salutes their fans at Sportszentrum Kuhberg after Saturday nights exciting home win over Braunschweig!
ratiopharm Ulm was led by power forward Christian Burns who topscored with 20 points 7 rebounds while Rocky Trice added 18 points including the game-winning basket. Lee Humphrey was Ulm's only other double-digit scorer hitting 3 of 5 threes for 13 points in the win. As a team, Ulm shot 47% from the floor making 6 of 18 threes (33%) and 9 of 12 free throws (75%) in the win. The Phantoms converted 43% hitting 7 of 21 threes (33%) and 15 of 17 free throws (88%) while outrebounding Ulm 34-32. Heiko Schaffartzik led the Braunschweig offense with 16 points on 4 of 6 three point shooting while Michael Hicks added 15 points and Nate Fox chipped in 14 points 8 boards in the loss.
ratiopharm Ulm looks ahead to a road trip to Paderborn for their next game Saturday November 28th. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
