TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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BREMERHAVEN POUNDS ULM!
ratiopharm Ulm learned a hard lesson at Stadthalle Bremerhaven Sunday night as the experienced and talented Eisbaren Bremerhaven overpowered the "aufsteigers" from southern Germany with fantastic team play on both ends and sizzling perimeter shooting in a 92-65 victory live on Premiere TV. Bremerhaven dished out 22 assists, hit 52% from the floor and buried 13 of 24 three pointers for 54% in their offensive clinic against Ulm. While the Eisbaren offense sizzled, the Bremerhaven D was the key to victory. Boasting the Bundesliga's best defense, Bremerhaven stymied ratiopharm Ulm --- which entered the game as the Bundesliga's highest scoring team offense --- in a physical, hardnosed, textbook team defensive performance. Sunday night, Bremerhaven reminded ratiopharm Ulm how tough life is at times for an "Aufsteiger".
ratiopharm Ulm Captain Emeka Erege and teammates ran into Bremerhaven's "Brick-Wall" defense.
click here for Box Score Ulm @ Bremerhaven
click here for Premiere TV Highlights from Ulm @ Bremerhaven!
Sunday's matchup between Ulm and Bremerhaven provided plenty of interesting scenerios --- Two recent "Aufsteigers" from the North and South meeting for the first time on a Bundesliga floor; Ulm's first long road trip up north to play; the leagues #1 scoring offense from Ulm against the Bundesliga's best team D in Bremerhaven; the much anticipated power forward matchup between Ulm's Jeff Gibbs and Bremerhaven's Judson Wallace; Ulm's team-building model against Bremerhaven's approach.
ratiopharm Ulm's travel day went according to plan, but the 13 hour bus trip up North to the North Sea port city of Bremerhaven was still a new experience for Ulm's young team. With complete preparation and a good game plan, Ulm entered the game with excitement. However, after a competitive first quarter, Ulm's excitement fell short against Bremerhaven's experience. For the young ratiopharm Ulm team on Sunday, Bremerhaven was an example of high level Bundesliga basketball at its best.
At tip, Ulm jumped out to a fast 4-0 lead powered by a Jeff Gibbs layup and Bryan Lucas spin move in the paint. Judson Wallace cracked the scoring column for Bremerhaven first with an inside finish. Ulm's defense worked for stops forcing several tough shots early and fighting hard on the defensive boards. After PG Brian Jones posted up Ulm point man Austen Rowland, he kicked out a perfect pass to Zygimantas Jonusas who buried his first three of the night. Answering immediately, Emeka Erege sank a right wing three igniting Ulm's bench and inspiring the team on the floor. Recovering a loose ball, Austen Rowland zipped a ball ahead pass to a streaking Bryan Lucas who extended for a layup --- but Bremerhaven big man Adam Chubb pinned the ball on the backboard with a terrific block. Ulm's Captain Erege alertly collected the loose ball and scored on a stickback. Bremerhaven edged ahead with a small run quickly countered by an Ulm timeout to settle the team and refocus. Ulm competed and toward the end of the first quarter an Ian Young three pointer with 11seconds remaining trimmed the deficit to 24-20 after one.
Ulm's Austen Rowland finished with 6 points and 5 assists Sunday. As a team, ratiopharm Ulm was overpowered by Bremerhaven.
Ulm remained within striking distance for the first three minutes of the second quarter and then the Bremerhaven barrage began. Increased defensive pressure and physical play in the paint forced the Ulm offense into misses or poor shots. Ulm came up empty on mid-second quarter possessions as several players blew layups. With every small mistake, Bremerhaven counter punched looking for a knockout. A three pointer from the corner by Nick Jacobsen started the run. Transition baskets from Brian Jones and a fast break finishing chin-up dunk from Adam Chubb forced Ulm's second timeout of the first half as Bremerhaven extended their lead to ten, 37-27. Unforunately, Ulm's inexperience showed which also highlighted Bremerhaven's experience. Unable to establish the post or defend the post, Ulm's defense collapsed to help which opened up shooters. Jonusas and Jacobsen went crazy. Together, the two sharpshooters sank 7 of 9 first half threes breaking the game open. Bremerhaven's lead ballooned to twenty and Ulm went into the lockerroom trailing 55-35.
Aiming to cut into the lead, adjustments attempted by ratiopharm Ulm did not dent the deficit. Physical post play on both ends sparked another Bremerhaven run pushing the lead further away. Ulm's highlight of the third quarter came in the form of Konrad Wysocki's banked in hook shot while Bremerhaven's Adam Chubb's "monkey-dunk" nearly brought the rim and house down. At its highest point, Ulm trailed 76-48 after three. It was over. Ulm showed character winning the fourth quarter 17-16 but the final buzzer sounded with a 92-65 Bremerhaven win. In Sunday's game, not only did a good defense beat a good offense, Bremerhaven combining a good defense and good offense lead to their blowout win.
For Ulm's young team, Sunday's blowout loss in Bremerhaven was a hard lesson on the challenges of staying consistent. Only Jeff Gibbs came close to normal form scoring a team best 13 points with 9 boards while Bryan Lucas scored most of his 12 points in the second half. The two were the only Ulmers in double figures. Starting Ulm backcourt of Austen Rowland and Jonathan Levy struggled combining for 9 points and shoot 1-15 in the game. Emeka Erege and Konrad Wysocki were both effective in short spurts each scoring 8 points with Erege grabbing 4 boards. Maksym Shtein scored 7 points and Ian Young hit two three pointers to finish with 6. Clearly, Sunday revealed several areas the young Ulm team must work on to improve.
Meanwhile, Bremerhaven clicked on all cylinders with Nick Jacobsen topscoring at 21 points on 8 of 11 shooting including 3 of 5 from three. Zygimantas Jonusas caught fire to hit 5 of his 7 three point attempts and finish with 17 points. Jusdon Wallace recorded a double-double with 12 points 10 rebounds and Adam Chubb contributed 11 points 7 boards. Brian Jones scored 8 points with a terrific 10 assists. Eisbaren outrebounded Ulm 41-31 and shot 52% while holding Ulm to 35% from the floor. For Bremerhaven, who advanced to the BBL Playoff Semi-finals in their first season in the league, Sunday demonstrated their teams excellent potential and reminded everyone how powerful their team can be.
Hungry to help his team take the next step!
After the game, ratiopharm Ulm gave their team 8 days break for Christmas and will return to practice December 26th in preparation for the teams next Bundesliga game Saturday December 30th at home against TBB Trier at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
