TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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A SPECIAL SATURDAY!
ULM BEATS PHANTOMS AND HONORS CHRISTIAN GROSSE!
ratiopharm Ulm All Star forward Robin Benzing scored 14 of his 17 points in a key fourth quarter run and center John Bryant powered his way to an impressive 18 point 15 rebound double double leading their team to a hardfought 85-71 home win over streaking NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Along with the win, ratiopharm Ulm honored hardworking reserve guard Christian Grosse who retired from the Bundesliga after the game. Combining the hardfought team win and the special moment for a fan favorite, Saturday night was certainly special at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star forward Robin Benzing sparked his team with 14 points in the fourth quarter of Saturday nights 85-71 home win over a red-hot NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig.
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Playing for the first time in two weeks, ratiopharm and NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig were both focused to play although they expected to shake the rust away from their time off for the All Star Break. Despite the break, the Phantoms were on fire winning 10 of their last 12 games entering Saturday nights matchup. For ratiopharm Ulm, Saturday's return to action was also a tremendous challenge at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice attacks the Phantoms defense in Saturday nights action at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Tipping off, Ulm and Braunschweig took time to find their rhythm. With both teams searching for their offense, the game quickly turned into a defensive duel. A full three minutes of action transpired before Braunschweig's Nick Schneiders sank one of two free throws to finally get someone on the scoreboard. Although both teams rimmed out several good opportunities and came up empty on offense, both Ulm and Braunschweig established their defenses early in the game. The Phantoms edged ahead 5-2 five minutes into the game behind Brandon Thomas and Marcus Goree. ratiopharm Ulm responded as center John Bryant scored six straight points to spark an Ulm run. At the end of the first quarter, Ulm held a 13-12 lead.
ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant posted his Bundesliga leading 9th double double with 18 points 15 rebounds.
Following the All Star break, both teams clearly took time to find their offensive game but throughout Saturday's first ten minutes, both ratiopharm Ulm and NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig competed defensively and battled on the boards. With both teams huddling between quarters, Ulm and Braunschweig concentrated to jumpstart their offensive attacks and reestablish their rhythm after their midseason pause.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther reads the Braunschweig defense as teammate Robin Benzing sets a ballscreen Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
As quarter two began, Ulm and Braunschweig continued to fight for control. A fast 5-0 run pushed Ulm's advantage to 17-12 two minutes into the second. Five minutes into the quarter, Marcus Goree sank two free throws pulling the Phantoms even 22-22. The Phantoms Nick Schneiders slammed home two points to give Braunschweig a 30-27 lead before a strong driving three point play from Ulm's Lee Humphrey trimmed Ulm's deficit to 33-31 in the last minute of the first half. A steal triggered an Ulm fastbreak which was finished by Coleman Collins who evened the score at 33. After another forced turnover, Ulm used a timeout to set up the final possession of the first half.
ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey finishes a strong drive for a three point play in the first half of Saturday's 85-71 home win over NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig. Lee finished the game with 13 points for ratiopharm Ulm.
Out of the timeout, the Phantoms came out in a 2-3 zone changing defenses to surprise Ulm, but Ulm's Robin Benzing still got a good look from the top of the key in the final seconds. Robin's shot rimmed out and officials warned the Ulm All Star forward for flopping. Teams exited the floor exactly where they began --- with an even score, 33-33.
ratiopharm Ulm's Coleman Collins finishes strong in the first half against the NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig.
At the half, Ulm huddled in their halftime lockerroom and was extremely positive about the game. Despite their slow offensive production, the teams defense and rebounding was strong in the first twenty minutes. Encouraging the team, Ulm expected a slow offensive performance in the first half after the All Star Break. Focused to find their rhythm in the second half, Ulm aimed for a strong third quarter.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star forward Robin Benzing drives strong against NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig All Star post man Marcus Goree in the first half of Saturday nights game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Ulm coaches discuss strategy in the final timeout of the first half Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
Opening the second half, Ulm burst to a 14-2 start to the third quarter. Sean Sonderleiter finished in the lane off a perfect pass from Rocky Trice before John Bryant collected a lob pass from Rocky Trice to finish through a foul for an AND1 three point play. By the midpoint of the third, Ulm held a strong 47-35 lead. Playing through a heavy sickness, Per Gunther showed tremendous toughness as he contributed several important plays to the Ulm run. Moments later, captain Lee Humphrey buried his second three of the game giving Ulm their biggest lead of the evening 50-37 with two minutes remaining in the quarter.
ratiopharm Ulm post man Sean Sonderleiter scores in the lane to spark a strong start to the third quarter Saturday night against the NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig.
Ulm's hardearned lead gave the team tremendous confidence. Throughout the slow offensive first half, ratiopharm Ulm kept working and eventually found their rhythm in the third. Subbing to use the rotation and rest several players, ratiopharm Ulm turned to their bench to finish the third quarter strong and maintain their hardearned cushion. Unfortunately for Ulm, Braunschweig fought back for a 7-0 close to the quarter cutting Ulm's advantage to 50-45 at the end of the third. Ulm's offense suffered turnovers and did not produce good shots during the Phantoms run. Entering the fourth, it was still anybody's ball game.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice drives past Braunschweig big man Kyle Visser in Saturday nights action.
In the fourth quarter, the Phantoms run continued. Brandon Thomas and Jason Cain drilled clutch three point shots pulling the Phantoms within one. Ulm held a 52-51 lead. Needing a big basket to answer the Braunschweig run, ratiopharm Ulm All Star forward Robin Benzing stepped up. Robin's fourth quarter explosion started with a right wing three giving Ulm a 55-51 lead. Moments later Robin finished a strong drive off glass through contact and buried a left wing three in a 10 point outburst that rebuilt a 64-55 lead for Ulm. Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans were energized by the teams bluecollar defensive work and Robin's offensive production.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star point guard Per Gunther slices down the lane through the Braunschweig defense in the second half of Saturday nights game.
In the next possessions, both teams found their offensive game. After a defensive-minded first quarter and slow offensive first half for both teams, Ulm and Braunschweig caught fire in the final ten minutes. Ulm and Braunschweig combined for 25 points in the first quarter and totaled 61 in the final ten minutes. After both teams exchanged baskets through a furious two minute stretch, Ulm got a big three point play from Lee Humphrey and another basket from John Bryant pushing the Ulm lead to 76-65 before Robin Benzing drilled his third three pointer of the fourth quarter extending Ulm's advantage to 79-65.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Travis Walton drives to the basket in Saturday nights game against NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig.
Ulm's defense had kept the team locked in a tie game throughout the first half, but it was their offense which built the lead and maintained the margin down the stretch. Forced into the fouling game, Braunschweig put ratiopharm Ulm players on the free throw line but the Ulm team was up to the task and consistently sank their important free throws.
ratiopharm Ulm post man Sean Sonderleiter goes strong to the basket as Braunschweig's Marcus Goree and Brandon Thomas contest.
All that remained on the evening was Ulm reserve guard Christian Grosse to make an appearance. Accepting a job in the corporate world, the long time Ulmer announced Saturday nights game against Braunschweig would be his last with the Ulm Bundesliga team. A tremendous role player for his team, Ulm hoped the game could be a moment to recognize Christian for his hardwork and accomplishments with the team.
ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant was once again a key performer for his team with an outstanding 18 point 15 rebound double double.
As ratiopharm Ulm nursed a ten point lead, Christian Grosse checked into the game with 1:19 on the clock. During the final minute, Christian had two open looks, one from the right corner and one from the left corner, as teammates searched him out for a final score. Unfortunately, Christian's open looks narrowly missed but the misses could not spoil the special evening for Christian and ratiopharm Ulm. At the final buzzer, ratiopharm Ulm could celebrate an 85-71 home win over NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig while also honoring the unsung hero Christian Grosse.
ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey draws a foul in the fourth quarter as Braunschweig's Kevin Hamilton defends.
ratiopharm Ulm was led by center John Bryant who produced an impressive 18 point 15 rebound double double, his Bundesliga best 9th double double of the season. All Star forward Robin Benzing scored 14 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed 6 rebounds in the win. Despite playing with the flu, point guard Per Gunther toughed his way to 16 points, captain Lee Humphrey added 13 points and Rocky Trice chipped in 9 points 5 rebounds 6 assists in the win.
ratiopharm Ulm hit important free throws in the fourth quarter to maintain their lead in Saturday's 85-71 home win over NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig.
As a team, ratiopharm Ulm shot 47% from the floor making 5 of 11 threes (45%) and 28 of 38 free throws (73%) while outrebounding the Phantoms 39-36. Braunschweig hit 40% of their shots including 5 of 21 threes (38%) and 10 of 15 free throws (67%). Brandon Thomas led Braunschweig with 16 points 4 rebounds and Marcus Goree added 14 points and Kevin Hamilton finished with 10.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Christian Grosse and Head coach Mike Taylor salute the Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans after the Braunschweig win which will be remembered as the hardworking hometown guard's last Bundesliga game.
After the final buzzer sounded, the special part of Saturday night took place midcourt at Sportszentrum Kuhberg as ratiopharm Ulm GM Thomas Stoll took the microphone and addressed the standing crowd. Using the opportunity to thank Christian Grosse for his hardwork over years, Thomas Stoll presented Christian with a terrific present of images from his seven seasons playing for Ulm. Christian then addressed the crowd to a loud applause and teammates and fans shared in the moment of closure for one of ratiopharm Ulm's fan favorites.
ratiopharm Ulm GM Thomas Stoll shakes hands with Christian Grosse and presents the retiring guard with a gift after Saturday's home win over NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig. It was a terrific send-off for one of Ulm's fan favorites.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star point guard Per Gunther hugs Christian Grosse as they walk off the floor after Christian's final game with the team Saturday night. Teammates Rocky Trice and Robin Benzing are next to share the moment with Christian.
Returning from the All Star break with a hardfought team win and memorable ceremony as a tribute to Christian Grosse, Saturday nights events at Sportszentrum Kuhberg were certainly special. Looking ahead, Ulm will take on their next challenge as their travel to face the powerful Artland Dragons Saturday night Febuary 5th at Artland Arena in Quakenbruck. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
