TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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BREMERHAVEN ICES ULM!
ratiopharm Ulm had plenty of chances to get hot in Friday nights showdown against Bremerhaven, but in the end cold shooting and solid Eisbaren play combined to put Ulm on ice in an 82-75 home loss at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Entering the game as the Bundesliga's top rated offense, Ulm struggled to 36% floor shooting including 9 for 35 (25%) from three while making only 10 of 20 from the foul line. Ulm's cold shooting froze their fourth quarter comeback attempt as Bremerhaven earned the road win. An important win for playoff position, Bremerhaven improved to 14-13 while ratiopharm Ulm slipped to 13-15. Despite the loss, all was not lost as Ulm maintained the head to head tiebreaker. With six games remaining, Ulm aims to bounce back Sunday in their road game at Jena.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Romeo Travis finishes a tough leaner off glass in Friday nights game. Romeo scored 13 points and grabbed 5 boards in a strong performance for his new team.
Click here for Ulm v Bremerhaven Photo Gallery!
Entering Friday nights showdown at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm, both ratiopharm Ulm and Eisbaren Bremerhaven understood the stakes --- locked in a five team battle for one playoff spot, every win down the stretch would be a huge step in the right direction. After Ulm beat Bremerhaven 80-70 at Stadthalle Bremerhaven Sunday November 25th, the head to head count also would be on the mind of both teams in the game.
Ulm rookie Dru Joyce drives hard against Bremerhaven's Tony Bobbitt in Friday nights game. Joyce topscored for Ulm with 15 points.
As the game tipped off, Bremerhaven immediately took charge with a strong Anthony Tolliver post move and a Nate Funk fast break layup. Ulm missed several plays in the paint and struggled to find their offensive rhythm. Solid execution from Bremerhaven helped the Eisbaren assert themselves early in the action. Meanwhile, Ulm's struggles in the paint against the big Bremerhaven post players resulted in a 5 for 13 quarter on attempts in the lane. Three late-clock calls took place in the first quarter as officials made difficult decisions about 24 second shot clock violations for both teams. Brian Brown made several big baskets and helped the Eisbaren capitalize on their opportunity. Bremerhaven built a 23-15 lead after the end of the first quarter and held momentum after their strong start in this showdown game.
First half discussions brought a warning against the Ulm bench.
Ulm adjusted and found a better rhythm in the second quarter, but the Bremerhaven offense continued to click. Bremerhaven expanded their lead by as many as 15 points in the second quarter. Ulm had plenty of good looks but simply missed. The physical and aggressive Eisbaren defense could take much credit for Ulm's shooting woes. As a team, Ulm hit only 3 of 11 threes in the first half and converted 10 of 21 shots in the lane. The inability to finish in the paint and stick open shots gave Bremerhaven a platform to spring from. Nate Funk was fouled shooting a three on Bremerhaven's last possession but Bryan Lucas answered with a last second three pointer to give Ulm energy heading into the halftime lockerroom. But Bremerhaven clearly controlled the action and got the better of the first half of play. Matt Haryasz and Brian Brown totaled 10 points apiece in the first half and Bremerhaven hit 54% from the floor. Meanwhile, Ulm made only 39% of their shots and only 3 of 9 from the foul line. For Ulm, after all the missed shots and missed opportunities, trailing by 11 was almost something to be thankful for.
At the half, Ulm discussed the defensive tactics from Bremerhaven and reinforced their attack. More important, Ulm's defense needed to step their level up. Bremerhaven's first half performance was outstanding and the Eisbaren clearly took control of the action and were the better team.
Ulm's EJ Gallup attempts to finish in the lane as Bremerhaven's Anthony Tolliver challenges!
Returning to the floor focused, Ulm aimed to trim the deficit early in the third. Again, it was Bremerhaven's strong start which symbolized the action. Anthony Tolliver dunked hard over Ulm's Sean Finn and Bremerhaven continued their steady execution against the Ulm defense. The Eisbaren lead expanded back to 15 at 57-42 as Ulm's offense continued to come up empty. Konrad Wysocki and Bryan Lucas drilled three pointers and the deficit was trimmed to 57-48. Momentum swelled and the run Ulm was working for seemed to be mounting. However, three consecutive missed free throws short circuited their surge. Bremerhaven rebuilt their 15 point advantage. But in a key end of third quarter phase, Ulm's Akron connection of Romeo Travis and Dru Joyce provided a spark --- Romeo scored on a strong putback and Dru drilled an end of third quarter three. Trailing by 10, 69-59, Ulm had ten minutes to make their comeback.
Sean Finn slams home two points for Ulm in Friday nights game!
The Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd provided Ulm with loud support as the teams returned to the floor for the fourth quarter. Changing defenses effectively, Ulm began to get defensive stops and chip away at the lead. Trailing 73-68 with just under 3 minutes to play, Ulm called time after a Bremerhaven foul gave them a sideline inbound. Out of the timeout, Ulm executed their play and eventually put the ball into the post to Bryan Lucas. Seeing the floor, Lucas zipped a skip pass across court to the right wing where EJ Gallup buried a big three. As the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd celebrated, Ulm's defense dug in for a big stop trailing by only two 73-71. For the next several possessions, Ulm's shots rimmed in and out. Open looks and inside finishes came up empty. Bremerhaven finally put themselves in a position to win with under one minute to play. Ulm defended well and as Anthony Tolliver drove hard from the right wing to the basket, Konrad Wysocki was called for a foul. Tolliver stepped to the line with two shots and a two point lead. Fortunately for Ulm, he missed both! Unfortunately, Ulm failed to secure their free throw blockout and when the ball bounced to the right corner, it was Ivars Timermanis who tracked it down. With under one minute, Bremerhaven milked the clock and executed. Ulm's defense was strong. The ball found Nate Funk who backed out and sized up the play. Funk dribbled hard to the elbow and was cut off by EJ Gallup. Spinning and fading, Funk drilled a tough clutch shot to give Bremerhaven a 75-71 lead with his big basket. Ulm attacked in transition and came up empty with an EJ Gallup top of the key three. Forced to foul, Bremerhaven sealed the game at the foul line and the end result of 82-75.
Jeff Gibbs powered to a 12 point 11 rebound double double.
Ulm was led by Dru Joyce who totaled 15 points on the evening. Romeo Travis added 13 points 5 rebounds in a strong game off the Ulm bench and Bryan Lucas also scored 13 wit 5 boards. Jeff Gibbs powered his way to a 12 point 11 rebound double double. Ulm finished the game shooting 36% from the floor (28 fo 76), 9 for 35 (25%) and only 10 of 20 from the foul line. The top rated offensive team in the Bundesliga entering Fridays game against Bremerhaven, ratiopharm Ulm clearly did not have one of their better games. On the other end, Bremerhaven's Brian Brown was in top form topscoring with 20 points in the win followed by 15 points 12 rebounds from big man Matt Haryasz and 15 points 7 rebounds from power forward Anthony Tolliver. Nate Funk chipped in 13 points 3 assists. Bremerhaven hit 48% from the floor and 17 of 27 from the foul line (62%). Most important, Bremerhaven outrebounded Ulm 43-38 in the game.
Ulm's EJ Gallup defends Nate Funk on the games decisive possession --- Funk drilled a tough pullup jumper off a spin move to give Bremerhaven a 75-71 lead.
With no time to waste, ratiopharm Ulm returns to action looking to bounce back Sunday with a road trip to east Germany for a 6pm tipoff against Science City Jena. Ulm fans remember well the fantastic rivalry games from the 2005-2006 2.Bundesliga South season. Certainly the Ulm-Jena matchup in the stretch run of the season will be another exciting chapter between the two teams. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
