TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM EARNS FIRST ROAD WIN!
ratiopharm Ulm earned their first road win of the 2007-2008 season with a strong team performance and outstanding individual efforts resulting in a quality 80-70 victory over Eisbaren Bremerhaven Sunday along the north coast of Germany at Stadthalle Bremerhaven. Konrad Wysocki was a perfect 6 for 6 from the floor and finished with a team best 20 points 10 rebounds followed by point guard Kyle Bailey with a well rounded 18 point 11 rebound 5 assist effort and All Star Jeff Gibbs with a powerful 17 points 10 boards and 5 blocks. Trailing 54-48 heading into the fourth, Ulm outscored Bremerhaven 32-16 over the final ten minutes for the win.
ratiopharm Ulm power forward Jeff Gibbs was outstanding in his teams road win Sunday afternoon in Bremerhaven. The Ulm all star posted 17 points, 10 boards and 5 blocked shots.
Leading to tipoff Sunday in Bremerhaven, ratiopharm Ulm faced several mental challenges related to their game. First, Ulm entered Stadthalle Bremerhaven winless on the road at 0-4 on the season. In search of their first road win, ratiopharm Ulm had competed well and been close to victory against top Bundesliga competition including 8-2 Artland, 7-3 Braunschweig, 7-3 Bayer Leverkusen and last seasons Euroleague competitor Koln 99ers. With hardwork and togetherness, Ulm believed it would only be a matter of time before they turned the corner to earn their first "Auswartseig". Second, BBL.TV showed the game live Sunday and Ulm entered action searching their first TV win. 0-5 last season on TV as rookies in the Bundesliga, Ulm dropped their "Team Moustache Day" Road game in Koln November 1st on BBL.TV leaving the team aiming to end the streak. Together, the two topics were interesting conversation for fans and journalists but not much mentioned amongst the team. In any case, Sunday was the next opportunity to take command of these two topics.
As the game began, Ulm found their rhythm early. A strong post move from Jeff Gibbs sent a signal for the visiting team --- as Ulm's All Star Powerforward powered his way to a three point play, Ulm's determination was clear. Along with Gibbs, Ulm sharpshooter EJ Gallup started fast with a corner three and pull up J for 5 quick points and Bryan Lucas buried a right wing three with a beautiful touch as the Ulm offense was extremely productive. When Konrad Wysocki poked loose a steal at halfcourt and executed a tremendous teamwork-filled two on one with Bryan Lucas, Wysocki's bucket put Ulm up 11-5 and led to an Eisbaren timeout 3 minutes into the game. Along with the strong start, Ulm received another boost when captain Emeka Erege returned to action checking into the game midway through the first quarter. On his first defensive possession, the Ulm leader drew a charge giving his team an emotional charge in their quest for a road victory. Bremerhaven worked back into the game but Ulm held a 19-15 lead after the opening quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Ulm's bench sparked a 12-4 run as the teams various fullcourt defenses led to a few Bremerhaven turnovers and missed shots. Konrad Wysocki scored on a beautiful baseline backdoor cut from Dru Joyce and Sean Finn powered his way to a nice left handed post finish off glass. Ulm's 31-19 advantage forced another Bremerhaven timeout. Immediately after the break, Head Coach Sarunas Sakaluskas's squad responded with a late second quarter surge that brought them back into the game. Bremerhaven answered with a 13-2 march characterized by second shots or stickbacks inside and capped by Zygimantas Jonusas making free throws with no time on the clock sending the game into half with Ulm up 34-32. In the stretch, Ulm's disciplined execution and shot selection loosened and as a result shots rattled off the rim loosely.
At the half, Ulm felt good about their execution of the defensive game plan and teamwork on the offensive end. Areas of concern included adjusting to the Bremerhaven defensive tactics and the rebound battle --- Ulm trailed Bremerhaven 27-17 on the boards at the half. With a quick review and renewed focus on the challenges at hand, ratiopharm Ulm returned to the floor ready to battle for the two points in the Bundesliga standings.
Ulm's Konrad Wysocki was nearly perfect in Bremerhaven scoring 20 points with 10 rebounds on 6 for 6 floor shooting!
A strong third quarter team, Eisbaren Bremerhaven powered to a 22-14 quarter and surged ahead in the game. Playing exceptional basketball, post man Matt Haryasz finished inside with swooping post moves and soft touch. Ulm found themselves on the ropes trailing with Bremerhaven mounting momentum. Before Ulm could look up, Bremerhaven held a 52-42 lead. A key EJ Gallup three stemmed the tide pulling Ulm to 52-45. Moments later another Ulm lightning bolt struck. Trailing 54-45 with one possession remaining in the quarter, attacking the Bremerhaven 2-3 zone, ratiopharm Ulm moved the ball before a skip pass found Konrad Wysocki open on the right wing. Eyeing the rim, Konrad released a three just beyond the extension of a Eisbaren defender and banked in a three off glass to pull Ulm within six at 54-48 heading into the fourth.
The momentum boost helped to stabalize the team and bring everyone back together and into the game. Ulm's quarter huddle was energized and Bryan Lucas provided a voice of leadership. Early in the final frame, Ulm's point guard Kyle Bailey stepped up scoring 5 straight points including a beautiful end to end transition finish pulling Ulm within 2 at 59-57. Ulm defense tightened and earned tough stops. Tied at 61, a Bryan Lucas three point play was followed by 6 consecutive Jeff Gibbs points finished with a two hand tip dunk slam off a Bailey drive forcing a Bremerhaven timeout with the score 70-61. Playing the fouling game out of the timeout, Bremerhaven pushed the pace, shot quick threes and put Ulm on the foul line. Ulm went to the charity stripe 16 times in the final 90 seconds. Kyle Bailey and Konrad Wysocki sank key foul shots and Ulm played excellent situational basketball to seal their first road win of the season in the 80-70 result.
Konrad Wysocki was outstanding leading Ulm with 20 points and 10 rebounds on 6 for 6 shooting. Not noticed by many fans was the effective play from Wysocki in which he drew 11 Bremerhaven fouls with his energetic playing style. Kyle Bailey was also excellent with 18 points 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Bailey showed his class throughout the game making several difficult scoring plays and athletic finishes while defending Brian Brown effectively one on one. Ulm all star Jeff Gibbs was a force in the paint producing 17 points 10 boards and an awesome 5 blocked shots. Jeff stepped up to score inside when Ulm needed points most down the stretch. Bryan Lucas made several clutch plays and sparked Ulm's defensive effort with a strong foul against Haryasz attempting a dunk. Lucas' key three point play in the final minutes was also a big moment in the game and the skilled post man scored 12 points with 3 boards. EJ Gallup also drilled several big shots for Ulm as he added 11 points to the win. The Ulm bench made their mark with captain Emeka Erege playing excellent defense in his return to the team, Sean Finn providing quality post play in the paint on both ends of the floor, Dru Joyce leading the team as a young floor general and Sebastian Betz giving the team solid minutes in his appearance. As a team, Ulm shot 44% from the floo, 5 for 20 from three and 19 of 34 from the foul line 54%. With impressive work in the second half, Ulm evened the rebound battle at 41 apiece by the final horn. Matt Haryasz was in top form for Bremerhaven leading their production with 26 points 14 rebounds on 10 for 13 from the floor. Nate Funk added 12 points as the only other Eisbaren in double figures. Bremerhaven shot 38% from the floor and 5 for 25 from three. Eisbaren made 11 of 16 free throw attempts.
Ulm upped their record to 5-4 on the season and now looks ahead to a renewal of their classic second league duels against Jena. Saturday night December 1 at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, ratiopharm Ulm hosts Science City Jena for a 7pm tip. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
