TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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BACK TO THE FUTURE!
RATIOPHARM ULM BEATS BREMERHAVEN ON HISTORIC NIGHT!
ratiopharm Ulm exploded to a 32 point first quarter building a 21 point lead before sealing a 99-87 home win over Eisbaren Bremerhaven on an historic evening at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Captain Lee Humphrey drilled 5 of 7 threes topscoring with 20 points and power forward Christian Burns posted a strong 16 point 11 rebound double double leadng ratiopharm Ulm's terrific team performance that included 58% shooting and 12 of 21 from three for the game. Beating Bremerhaven for the first time at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, ratiopharm Ulm sweeps their two games over the Eisbaren this season. Taking positive steps toward establishing their own identity as the next generation of ratiopharm Ulm basketball, the young Ulm team earned a milestone victory in Saturday nights success for the successors. Respecting the organizations past with the return of former star Jeff Gibbs and Bremerhaven, Ulm's next generation filled the present with fun, offensive fireworks and pointed toward a positive, bright future.
ratiopharm Ulm's Lee Humphrey drives strong to the basket splitting Bremerhaven defenders. Lee drilled 5 of 7 threes to topscore with 20 points in the Ulm win.
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ratiopharm Ulm fans gave 'Mr Incredible' Jeff Gibbs a nice applause and showed respect for his tremendous effort during his four seasons in Ulm.
A memorable night for basketball in Ulm, Saturday marked the return of Jeff Gibbs to Sportszentrum Kuhberg. A sold out crowd showed their respect for the four fantastic seasons Jeff played in Ulm where he earned the knickname 'Mr Incredible'. Signs, jerseys and a warm welcome during introductions greeted Gibbs who goes into the history books alongside previous Ulm star Jarvis Walker as the two most important players in Ulm history. Unlike Walker who played his complete career with Ulm, Gibbs faced his former team for the first time in another uniform.
ratiopharm Ulm post man Kevin Martin powers his way for two in the paint against former Ulm power forward Jeff Gibbs.
Also returning to Sportszentrum Kuhberg for the first time to face his former Ulm team was hardworking forward Bryan Lucas who joined Jeff Gibbs in Bremerhaven this season after playing with current Ulm point guard Austen Rowland in Furstenfeld Austria last year.
ratiopharm Ulm power forward Christian Burns finishes a breakaway with an athletic slam!
With the return of Mr Incredible to his former home for the first time, Saturday's game became an historical game for basketball in Ulm --- and according to history, ratiopharm Ulm had never beaten Eisbaren Bremerhaven at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Over the last three seasons in Bundesliga play, Bremerhaven had swept ratiopharm Ulm winning all three visits to Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Present in the moment, respecting the past and focused to demonstrate their direction for the future, ratiopharm Ulm was ready to reverse the trend of history on an historic day for basketball in Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm's Austen Rowland attacks the Bremerhaven defense. Austen dished out 7 assists in the win.
After warmups, player introductions and final layup lines, both teams were ready for action. Bremerhaven would not underestimate Ulm after Ulm's early season road win in Bremerhaven back in November. A soldout Sportszentrum Kuhberg buzzed with special energy for this special game.
ratiopharm Ulm's Coleman Collins brings the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd to their feet with a two-hand monster dunk!
At tip off, ratiopharm Ulm exploded with an offensive show. Christian Burns played the passing lane for a steal and breakaway slam. Moments later, Burns drove baseline and fired a pass to Lee Humphrey spotting up in the opposite corner --- the three point barrage began. Off the bench, Robin Benzing buried his first three of the game from the left corner. Five minutes into action, Ulm held a 16-4 lead. Three minutes later Ulm led 28-9. When the first quarter horn sounded, Sportszentrum Kuhberg gave their Ulm players a standing ovation for their first quarter fireworks. At the end of one, Ulm led 32-17.
ratiopharm Ulm's current power forward Christian Burns and former power forward Jeff Gibbs battle for position under the boards.
As quarter two opened, Ulm opened the game. Lee Humphrey drilled a three from the right wing in transition extending Ulm's run. Per Gunther sank his second three of the game from the right wing. Ulm built a 45-25 lead at the mid-point of the second quarter. A 7-0 Bremerhaven surge brought the Eisbaren back within 14 points at 48-34 with three minutes remaining in the half. But Ulm finished the first half with a 10-7 run rebuilding the lead and the hosts went into the halftime lockerroom leading 58-41.
ratiopharm Ulm's Robin Benzing drills one of his energizing three point shots as Bremerhaven's Torrell Martin challenges. Robin was a perfect three for three from three in the win.
At the half, Ulm built a seventeen point lead on the strength of their strong start. Both teams shot 58% from the floor but Ulm hit 10 of 15 threes for a sizzling 67% clip. Facing the number one rebounding team in the Bundesliga, Ulm controlled the boards 14-10 in the first twenty minutes. Torrell Martin kept Bremerhaven within striking distance with a terrific 19 point first half. At the half, of his return game, Jeff Gibbs was limited to 4 points 2 rebounds. During Ulm's excellent first half performance, the lead stretched to 21 points.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice crosses over a Bremerhaven defender in transition.
Lee Humphrey hit four of six first half three pointers, Robin Benzing buried a perfect three of three and Per Gunther nailed two of two as ratiopharm Ulm drilled ten from beyond the arc in the first twenty minutes. Ulm's offensive attack gained great energy in particular from Humphrey's threes as the team captain got it going in the first half. Ulm's focused performance against the strong Bremerhaven team provided offensive fireworks in the first half at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
ratiopharm Ulm's Coleman Collins challenges Bremerhaven's Brandon Brooks in Saturday's game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
As the second half opened, Bremerhaven cut into the lead. Five straight points from pg Lou Campbell and a basket from Bryan Lucas brought Bremerhaven within 11 points. Ulm led 62-51. But as Bremerhaven trimmed the gap, ratiopharm Ulm responded with another run. Lee Humphrey sank his fifth three of the game rebuilding Ulm's advantage to twenty at 76-56. At the end of three, Ulm led 80-66.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther attacking a ballscreen Saturday against Bremerhaven.
In the fourth, Ulm Bremerhaven worked their way back into the game. Jeff Gibbs scored inside pulling the Eisbaren under double-digits, 82-73. With Bremerhaven playing tough, physical defense, Per Gunther slashed to the basket strong. Rotating from the helpside, Jeff Gibbs reminded Ulm fans of his highlight plays during his four year tenure with an athletic shot block punching Per's shot into the crowd. Unfortunately, after the shotblock, Per collided with Gibbs and fell awkwardly to the floor hitting his head hard on the hardwood. Per was forced to leave the game after being checked by team doctor, Christoph Buch. Austen Rowland re-entered the game. At the five minute mark, Ulm was up 87-80. Ulm called a timeout. Out of the timeout, it was Lee Humphrey making a play --- this time it was not his characteristic three. With the shot clock ticking down, Lee drove strong down the middle of the lane splitting the Bremerhaven defense with a quick crossover. Instead of a midlane finish, Lee softly lobbed an alley oop to a baseline cutting Coleman Collins who threw down the dunk bringing the Ulm crowd to their feet. With an exclaimation point, Ulm pushed their lead to 89-80. But back to back Bremerhaven baskets trimmed the gap once again. After a Torrell Martin basket, Ulm held onto an 89-84 advantage with three minutes remaining.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Robin Benzing drives baseline against the Eisbaren Bremerhaven defense Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Down the stretch, ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice stepped up. With Ulm needing a big basket, Rocky drove strong from the left wing and finished an athletic layin off glass. Strong defensive rebounds from Coleman Collins sent the former Virginia Tech power forward to the charity stripe late in the game. Ulm finished the game with intelligent execution and solid free throw shooting. After a stop in the closing seconds, Christian Burns attacked the basket high above the rim to hammer home the win. Bremerhaven's Brandon Brooks challenged and fouled him hard preventing the late game slam. Christian stepped to the foul line and fittingly notched the final point in Ulm's victory in Jeff Gibbs' return to Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
ratiopharm Ulm team doctor Christoph Buch takes care of Per Gunther after a hard fall in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game against Bremerhaven.
ratiopharm Ulm was led by captain Lee Humphrey who sank 5 of 7 threes on his way to a team best 20 points followed by a 16 point 11 rebound double double from Christian Burns in the win. Robin Benzing buried all three of his three pointers on his way to 15 points while Coleman Collins added 15 points 8 boards to the Ulm attack. Rocky Trice also reached double figures with 11 points 4 boards 2 steals for Ulm. Austen Rowland chipped in 7 points 7 assists as well.
ratiopharm Ulm post man Coleman Collins grabs a key late game rebound Saturday night against Bremerhaven.
Torrell Martin led the Eisbaren with a game-best 28 point performance hitting 4 of 8 threes and grabbing 5 boards. Brandon Brooks added 13 points 4 assists, Jeff Gibbs 12 points 8 boards, Lou Campbell 11 points 6 assists and Bryan Lucas 10 points 2 rebounds for Bremerhaven.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice checks the shot clock before attacking Bremerhaven's Lou Campbell.
As a team, Ulm shot 54% from the floor making 12 of 21 threes (57%) and 25 of 37 from the foul line (68%) while Bremerhaven hit 51% of their shots including 7 of 25 threes (28%) and 8 of 12 (67%) from the charity stripe. Ulm outrebounded Bremerhaven 33-29 and dished out 17 assists to 10 turnovers in the win.
ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey is all smiles after his teams big win over Bremerhaven and everyone was happy for Lee after his big game!
ratiopharm Ulm and Sportszentrum Kuhberg celebrated the memorable home victory on the important day in Ulm basketball history. As the Ulm team made their round around the floor greeting the fans, recently signed post man Kevin Martin was given a birthday surprise 'Pie in the face'. Taking positive steps toward establishing their own identity as the next generation of ratiopharm Ulm basketball, the young Ulm team earned a memorable win. On an evening when ratiopharm Ulm paid respect to its past, the team had fun in the present while showing a bright and positive future.
Kevin Martin with a post game pie in the face for his birthday!
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GO ULM!
MIKE T
