TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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TEAM EFFORT!
ULM TOPS GIESSEN WITH BALANCED SCORING!
ratiopharm Ulm shot 61% from the floor and put all five starters in double figures as their team effort tipped off an exciting two game weekend with an 88-83 win over LTi Giessen 46ers Friday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Romeo Travis led the balanced Ulm attack with 18 points while Jeff Gibbs added 15 points 9 boards and Sean Finn totaled 13 points 8 rebounds in the win. Improving to 5-2, ratiopharm Ulm looks ahead to Sunday's home game against reigning German champion ALBA Berlin tipping off at 3pm at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm!
ratiopharm Ulm sharpshooter Lee Humphrey sparked a strong start burying back to back threes helping his team to a quick 10-0 lead in Friday nights win over Giessen.
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Click here for Ulm v Giessen Box Score
As ratiopharm Ulm tipped off their exciting two game Bundesliga weekend hosting Giessen Friday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, Ulm players worked to maintain their focus as everyone in the city talked about Sundays matchup against German power ALBA Berlin. Starting a three game in five day stretch, Ulm management and fans were simply happy the 46ers made the trip. Earlier in the week, the traditional Giessen team announced their financial problems would not prevent them from finishing the season which was a major concern not only for the 46ers but also for the entire Bundesliga. Unfortunately, Ulm was not at full strength for the exciting two game weekend as defensive-stopper Keith Triplett missed the game due to an arm infection.
At tip off, Ulm demonstrated outstanding focus as Lee Humphrey sank a three point shot from each corner sparking his team to a quick 10-0 lead. Pushing their strong start to a 24-12 advantage, Giessen called a timeout to settle down. Giessen adjusted and responded well. Playing fast and working their offense, the 46ers narrowed the deficit with excellent perimeter shooting and hardwork on the boards. After one quarter of action, Ulm's lead faded and the teams were back where they began tied at 22.
Unfortunately, early in quarter two, former German National team center Robert Maras went down with a knee injury and Giessen head coach Simone Cote was forced to reduce his rotation. Without the skilled and experienced Maras, Giessen relied on their hardworking veterans Florian Hartenstein and Gerrit Terdenge in the post. As the back and forth second quarter developed, both teams found their rhythm offensively. Ulm's Romeo Travis and Jeff Gibbs powered the attack with excellent work while the 46ers balanced attack fired back. At the half, Ulm held a 46-44 lead.
In the halfime lockerroom, Ulm concentrated on their defensive play and aimed to tighten up in the second twenty minutes. Surprisingly, through their hardwork, the 46ers also had clearly outrebounded Ulm in the first half so the hosts had work to do in that area as well. Most important, Ulm simply needed to buckle down on defense and earn their stops to take control in the game.
As the second half started, Ulm worked to make their run. The ratiopharm Ulm bench of point guard Per Gunther, wing Sebastian Betz and forward Dan Fitzgerald made a difference. Gunther drilled a pull up three and played solid point guard as he picked up the teams defensive intensity. Betz made hustle plays including a physical steal where he simply ripped the basketball away from a Giessen opponent. Over the complete third quarter, Ulm outscored Giessen 30-19 and built a 76-63 lead going into the 4th.
In the fourth, a Sebastian Betz three pointer gave ratiopharm Ulm their largest lead of 13 points at 81-68 with 7 minutes to play. Unfortunately, Ulm missed several good looks giving the 46ers life. The hardworking Giessen team continued to play and trimmed the Ulm lead to 10 and below. Heiko Schaffartzik led an 8-0 Giessen run which pulled the 46ers to within 81-76 with 4 minutes to play. Stepping up to get defensive stops, an active Dan Fitzgerald drew three consecutive charges on outstanding ballscreen hedges. Clutch buckets from Jeff Gibbs and Romeo Travis extended the Ulm lead to 9 at 85-76 with 2:30 to play. As Giessen played to the final buzzer, Ulm's Jeff Gibbs secured the victory giving Ulm an 88-81 lead before a cosmetic 46er basket set the final score at 88-83. Ulm's Dru Joyce dribbled out the final 4 seconds playing keep away and Ulm improved their record to 5-2.
The terrific Ulm team effort was led by forward Romeo Travis who showed his all-around game with a solid 18 points 3 rebound effort which included 8 of 10 shooting. Jeff Gibbs added 15 points 9 rebounds on 6 for 9 from the field and Sean Finn chipped in 13 points 8 boards on 6 for 8 shots. Dru Joyce gave Ulm 12 points 7 assists and Lee Humphrey added 10. From the solid Ulm bench, Per Gunther enjoyed a nice game with 8 points 3 assists while Dan Fitzgerald contributed 7 points and Sebastian Betz 5.
Ulm shot 61% from the floor, made 7 of 19 threes (36%) and 9 of 14 free throws (64%). Giessen shot 47% from the field making 6 of 19 threes (31%) and 13 of 16 free throws (81%).
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GO ULM!
MIKE T
