TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM SLIPS AGAINST EISBAREN!
With a playoff place secure, ratiopharm Ulm slipped to an 89-81 home loss to last place Eisbaren Bremerhaven Thursday evening at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Bremerhaven's second quarter run helped the Eisbaren establish a 14 point lead. Holding off Ulm's comeback attempt, Bremerhaven earned their 6th win of the season while ratiopharm Ulm is now 20-13. All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs powered his way to a 20 point 16 rebound double double and Lee Humphrey hit 5 of 8 threes to add 19 points in the loss. Remaining in 6th place, ratiopharm Ulm looks forward to their regular season finale at home against Nordlingen Saturday May 9th before tipping off the 2009 Bundesliga Playoffs in mid May.
ratiopharm Ulm's All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs posted a 20 point 16 rebound double double in Thursday's home loss to Bremerhaven.
Click here for Ulm vs Bremerhaven Saturday 4-30-09 Box Score
click here for Ulm vs Bremerhaven photo gallery!
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ratiopharm Ulm point guard Dru Joyce scored 12 points with 4 assists in Thursdays loss.
After an important 77-73 home win against Paderborn Saturday night, ratiopharm Ulm hosted last placed Eisbaren Bremerhaven in a playoff-rhythm Thursday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. While Bremerhaven lined up without several key players, ratiopharm Ulm tipped off Thursday nights Game Day 33 matchup without starting small forward Romeo Travis who was sidelined with a nagging foot injury. Placing Keith Triplett into the starting five, ratiopharm Ulm was a pre-game favorite for an easy home win over 5-23 Bremerhaven.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn finishes two of his 11 points 6 boards in Thursdays game.
At tip off, Ulm's Sean Finn was whistled for a foul seconds into the game as Bremerhaven big man Yemi Nicholson went to work on the right block. Both teams comfortably worked their way into the game gradually getting a feel for the evenings action. Without much defensive intensity, the game opened with an entertaining tempo as teams attacked quickly in transition. After the first ten minutes, Bremerhaven held a surprising 26-21 advantage over Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie point guard Per Gunther was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Year last week.
Quarter two saw the Eisbaren heat up for a 13-2 run that built a 39-23 lead. Ulm's lack of defensive intensity allowed Bremerhaven early baskets in the first quarter and the Eisbaren caught fire in the second. Taking their second timeout midway through the second quarter to stop the surge, ratiopharm Ulm went on an 18-12 run that cut the Bremerhaven halftime lead to ten. Unfortunately for Ulm, Bremerhaven had scored 51 points in the first half at Sportszemtrum Kuhberg. The 51-41 deficit signaled that Ulm needed to make some adjustments in the lockerroom. At the half, the game was clearly about ratiopharm Ulm's lack of defensive intensity. Bremerhaven had played well, but the action was too easy for the Eisbaren and they made ratiopharm Ulm pay with the momentum building second quarter run.
ratiopharm Ulm sharpshooter Lee Humphrey drilled 5 of 8 threes contributing 19 points in Thursday nights game.
As the second half opened, the strong Bremerhaven preformance continued as the Eisbaren raced to a surprising 14 point third quarter lead. While Ulm tried to turn it on, they were unable to get over the hump. Unfortunately, coming back from the deficit expended alot of energy. Ulm began to chip away at their deficit and, after three quarters, ratiopharm Ulm trailed 71-63 going into the fourth.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Sebastian Betz attacks the Eisbaren basket as Bremerhaven big man Moritz Wohlers challenges.
The first possession of the fourth, ratiopharm Ulm wing Sebastian Betz made his mark on the game. The hardworking German guard bounced back from his early buzzer beater attempt to drill a top of the key three point shot plus the foul for a four point play. Pulling Ulm within four at 71-67, Ulm had worked their way back into the game. But just at their opportunity to turn the game, Ulm suffered a key turnover and came up empty from several open looks. Ulm simply could not convert the big basket. Despite excellent opportunitites, Thursday nights game against Bremerhaven was simply not Ulm's night. At the end, Bremerhaven earned the 89-81 upset win and ratiopharm Ulm could point directly at their lack of defensive energy for the cause.
ratiopharm Ulm was led by All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs who finished with a 20 point 16 rebound double double and Lee Humphrey who hit 5 of 8 threes to add 19 points. Dru Joyce contributed 12 points 4 assists and Sean Finn chipped in 11 points 6 boards. Ulm shot 44% from the floor making 11-26 threes (42%) and 6 of 10 free throws in the loss. Mike Gansey's 20 point 11 rebound performance led Bremerhaven who shot 51% for the game including 11 of 21 threes (52%) and 20 of 27 free throws (74%) while outrebounding Ulm 40-30.
Now 20-13, ratiopharm Ulm has one regular season game remaining Saturday May 9th against Nordlingen. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
