TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
82 
76
ULM SLIPS TO 46ERS BY 6!
ratiopharm Ulm's fourth quarter comeback fell just short as the Giessen 46ers presented new head coach Ken Scalibroni with an 82-76 victory, the teams second win of the season on Scalibroni's second official day on the job. Inconsistent Ulm defensive intensity saw the teams trade baskets throughout much of the game and allowed the 46ers to play from the lead for most of the second half. Second quarter and late 3rd/early 4th quarter runs put Ulm in position to extend their winning streak, but it was Giessen who executed and converted on clutch possessions to earn the win. For ratiopharm Ulm, Sunday's loss to Giessen is another lesson for a young team working its way to establish itself in the Bundesliga.
ratiopharm Ulm G Jonathan Levy sparked his team with 21 points
click here for Box Score Ulm V Giessen
click here for Ulm v Giessen Photo Gallery!
Playing a Sunday afternoon "Family Day" game, ratiopharm Ulm hosted Giessen for the early 4pm tip and celebrated the Christmas Holidays in the teams final home game before Christmas. A sold-out crowd packed Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
Ulm Captain Emeka Erege attempts a pull up J in the lane in the first half of Sundays game against Giessen at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Erege scored 10 points with 3 rebounds for Ulm.
With newly signed Head Coach Ken Scalibroni on the sideline, Giessen started Sunday's game with a breath of fresh air and players stepped onto the floor loose with a new start. Despite their 1-11 record entering the game, Giessen had been extremely competitive in every game up to this point in the season. After several roster changes, the 46ers have pieces in place to pull themselves out of the relegation spot. Their goal was taking the first step Sunday in Sportszentrum Kuhberg and the team took the floor with determination.
On the other side, Ulm aimed to maintain their momentum from their two game winning streak and build on their last Bundesliga home win over Bayer Leverkusen November 25th. But the Bundesliga season is a series of lessons for a young team. On this day, the young Ulm team would experience the importance consistency and intensity.
Ulm F Florian Mobius finishes strong in the first half!
The game opened up with a fast tempo and both teams pushed the pace.
Ulm's soft defense and inconsistent defensive effort allowed several easy Giessen baskets and set the tone for the evening. The 46ers executed plays which Ulm defended, but the ball routinely ended up in Giessen players hands for one on one situations which they capitalized on man against man. Terdenge hit a fadeaway. Maras made his move in the paint. Roussler drilled a three. Trotter attacked in transition and from penetration. The 46ers looked far from a 1-11 team. Meanwhile, Ulm's offense was perimeter oriented through much of the first quarter. Giessen edged ahead after one 23-21.
ratiopharm Ulm big man Maksym Shtein was strong in the second half totaling 11 points 4 rebounds off the bench.
Trading baskets with less than maximum defensive intensity, Ulm seemed to be in search of a spark --- or waiting to turn it on. Midway through the second quarter, the spark came in the form of a 12-0 run triggered by the teams pressing and changing defenses. Not only producing a turnover and easy basket, the Ulm pressure raised the intensity level of the team and helped them register defensive stops. A Jonathan Levy runout layup and Austen Rowland to Jeff Gibbs alley-oop slam brought the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd into the game and forced a Giessen timeout. Ulm gained momentum and seemed to have found a rhythm. But to Giessen's credit, they kept working and competing. One area the 46ers did fantastic work was on the backboards. Giessen held Ulm without an offensive rebound in the first half, impressive work with Ulm ranking as the leagues top offensive rebounding team. The even second quarter (20-20) set the halftime score at 43-41 for the guests from Giessen.
Ulm power forward Jeff Gibbs worked hard for his 13 point 11 rebound double double.
At halftime, Ulm refocused on their defensive intensity and looked for a strong third quarter. Unfortunately, their plans went awry. From the opening possession, turnovers and lack of defensive stops short-circuited the Ulm attack. The 46ers hit shots to build a lead. Danilo Pinnock buried a left wing three and Obie Trotter finished a slicing drive down the lane. Subbing to the bench, Ulm received strong production from Maksym Shtein and answered the Giessen run. After three Giessen held a 4 point advantage at 62-58.
Ulm's momentum continued into the 4th with defensive energy and offensive opportunity. Unfortunately for Ulm, turnovers and quick shots at a key juncture of the game stalled their surge. Trailing 65-60, Ulm saw important opportunities slip away to turnovers, one pass possessions and quick perimeter shots that resulted in empty possessions. Capitalizing on the opportunities to extend their lead, Giessen got big baskets from Rouven Roussler --- who buried a big three ball from the right corner --- and Robert Maras who hit a tough fadeaway in the paint. Ulm's attack became individual-ized as the team took turns trying to make "the big shot".
Ulm F Konrad Wysocki competed hard in his first career game against his hometown Giessen team.
With just over 3 minutes remaining, the 46er lead ballooned to 11 before a furious Ulm comeback attempt. However, on this evening, it was too little too late for Ulm. Clutch threes from Jonathan Levy cut into the lead and gave Ulm hope, but the fouling game failed to dent the deficit as Giessen sank important free throws in the final minutes. At the buzzer, new head coach Ken Scalibroni could celebrate with his new team in their 2nd win of the season and first win on the road.
The 82-76 loss snapped the Ulm win streak and puts Ulm in 13th place in the Bundesliga at 5-8 for the season. Jonathan Levy led the Ulm offense with 21 points on 8 of 15 shooting. Jeff Gibbs powered his way to 13 points 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Maksym Shtein added 11 points 4 rebounds off the bench and Emeka Erege was solid with 10 points 3 boards. As a team, ratiopharm Ulm shot 43% from the floor (25-58) and 76% from the foul line (20-26). Ulm outrebounded Giessen 34-32. Rouven Roussler topscored for Giessen with 18 points while Danilo Pinnock added 16 points 6 rebounds and Obie Trotter 14. The 46ers made 46% of their shots (29-63) and 64% from the foul line (18-26). Giessen was excellent in two areas: holding Ulm to 6 offensive boards and committing only 7 turnovers for the game.
From the evenings effort, Ulm can take several important lessons. First, consistency is a trademark of success (yet one of the most challenging things for a young team to master). Second, proper attitude produces positive results. Finally, intensity and desire are the base of all winning defense. At 5-8 after 13 games, ratiopharm Ulm has exceeded many expectations from the start of the season. However, Ulm has also established themselves as a team of extremes --- Ulm is currently the highest scoring offense along with the defense that allows the most points against.
Ulm G Ian Young attacks the basket against Giessen.
With work to do, ratiopharm Ulm returns to the practice floor Tuesday preparing in the week ahead for Sunday's road game at Bremerhaven December 17th. The game, Live on Premiere TV is Ulm's final game before a 7 day Christmas Break.
Santa Claus is an Ulm fan!
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GO ULM!
MIKE T
