TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM CATCHES FIRE!
ratiopharm Ulm caught fire Saturday night shooting a sizzling 66% from the floor hitting 13 for 19 from three in their 100-80 home win over LTi Giessen 46ers at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Robin Benzing led 6 Ulmers in double figures making a perfect 4 for 4 from three and John Bryant posted his Bundesliga leading 10th double double with 13 points 10 rebounds. For ratiopharm Ulm, Saturday nights home win over LTi Giessen 46ers was an excellent performance in a strong TEAM win!
ratiopharm Ulm All Star forward Robin Benzing was perfect from the floor hitting all five of his shots including 4 of 4 from three point range for a game best 19 points in Saturday's 100-80 win over LTi Giessen 46ers.
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Playing Bundesliga's longest tenured team, Giessen, ratiopharm Ulm was focused for an uptempo game as the 46ers entered Sportszentrum Kuhberg with a reloaded roster fighting for survival to stay in the league. With their early season road loss in Giessen in mind, ratiopharm Ulm focused for the new challenge Saturday night at home. Already a challenging task, Ulm would not be at full strength as starting guard Rocky Trice and captain Lee Humphrey were both playing through minor injuries against the 46ers. Demonstrating toughness, both Rocky and Lee inspired their teammates with their efforts to be there for their team.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Coleman Collins spins baseline for an extended slam dunk on the first possession of Saturday nights game against the LTi Giessen 46ers.
Tipping off, Ulm started fast as Coleman Collins spun to the baseline finishing an extended slam dunk for the first two points of the game. At the other end, Giessen's Zachary Peacock posted strong at the rim and finished a short hook to tie the score. ratiopharm Ulm responded as Per Gunther hit a diving John Bryant in a pick and roll play and the effective Ulm center zipped a pass to a wide open Robin Benzing spotting up in the right corner. Robin buried the three giving Ulm a 5-2 lead. But Giessen's veteran point guard Michael Hakim Jordan answered with a three of his own evening the game at 5. After an Ulm miss, Jordan rimmed in a corner three pushing the 46ers up 8-5. An Ulm turnover returned possession to the 46ers and veteran center Elvir Ovcina scored on a strong move through traffic in the lane. Giessen was off to a fast 10-5 start.
ratiopharm Ulm post man Sean Sonderleiter finishes at the rim against the LTi Giessen 46ers. Sondy gave Ulm a physical presence on both ends as he finished with a solid 9 points in the win.
But Ulm's Robin Benzing sparked his team. Grabbing a defensive rebound, Robin started a fast break with an outlet to teammate Per Gunther. Pushing the ball in transition, Per penetrated and delivered a bounce pass to a baseline cutting Rocky Trice. As Rocky attacked the rim, he drew the Giessen defense and fired a skip pass to a wide open Robin Benzing on the left wing. Robin finished what he started with his second three of the game pulling Ulm within 10-8 at the 7 minute mark. The energy level in Sportszentrum Kuhberg rose and the ratiopharm Ulm defense responded by forcing a Giessen shot clock violation. Capitalizing on the momentum, Benzing penetrated and found Per Gunther open on the right wing where Per drilled another three to reclaim the lead for Ulm 11-10.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice demonstrated toughness playing through a finger injury to produce 5 points 4 rebounds 4 assists in the win.
Unfortunately for Ulm, Robin Benzing's fast start was cut short when he picked up his second foul. The ratiopharm Ulm bench made their first appearance as hardworking wing Sebastian Betz spelled Benzing for the remainder of the quarter. Back to action, Ulm center John Bryant finished a strong post move lifting Ulm to a 13-10 lead at the 5:55 mark of the first quarter. Zachary Peacock finished strong off an offensive rebound pulling Giessen within one, 13-12, but Sebastian Betz buried an open three in the right corner off excellent teamwork and ballreversal ending with an assist from Coleman Collins. Ulm led 16-12. Giessen's Anthony Smith answered with a layup but Per Gunther finished a strong AND1 three point play drive adding the free throw to give Ulm a 19-14 lead with 4:27 to go. Moments later, Coleman Collins sank an open three from the right wing giving the hosts a 22-14 advantage. Giessen called timeout with 3:39 in the quarter.
ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant finishes strong in the post.
Out of the timeout, Ulm defense earned a stop and young center Michael Wenzl scored off an offensive rebound giving Ulm a ten point lead with 2:57 on the clock. Dirk Madrich answered for Giessen but Sebastian Betz buried another three, this time from the left corner giving Ulm a 27-16 cushion. Giessen's Ryan Brooks responded with a left wing three of his own keeping the 46ers on pace, but captain Lee Humphrey sank a right wing three with 52 seconds in the first quarter lifting Ulm to a 30-19 lead. Dirk Madrich sank two free throws for the 46ers before Michael Wenzl tipped in a miss for Ulm. In the closing seconds of the first quarter, Madrich hit a right corner three for the 46ers but ratiopharm Ulm held a 32-24 lead after the first ten minutes.
As quarter two began, officials made their presence felt as they called three fouls in 9 seconds. Unfortunately for Ulm, point guard Per Gunther was whistled for two fouls for handchecking but Giessen could not take advantage as a moving screen offensive foul returned possession to ulm. An Ulm turnover led to a Ryan Brooks transition jumpshot from the left wing. Coleman Collins countered with a strong drive and finish off glass. Moments later, John Bryant found teammate Lee Humphrey open in the right corner and the captain sank Ulm's next three point shot for a 37-26 lead at the 8 minute mark. Jannik Freese finished a basket for the 46ers before point guards Per Gunther and Mathias Perl exchanged baskets. Ulm held a 39-31 lead. At the 7:15 mark, Per Gunther was hit on the bridge of the nose and was forced to leave the floor for a moment. Ulm's Travis Walton returned to action and directed the attack. On the defensive end, back to back blocks from Coleman Collins and John Bryant energized the Ulm defense. Giessen's Maurice Jeffers sank a left wing three pulling the 46ers closer at 39-34, but Rocky Trice rebuilt Ulm's lead with a three of his own. On the next possession, Rocky found John Bryant for a dunk and Giessen took their second timeout at the 5:02 mark. Ulm led 44-34.
Back to action, John Bryant blocked another shot forcing a 46er sideline inbound play with 2 seconds remaining on the shot clock. Ulm's defense finished the stop and Robin Benzing was fouled attempting a three point shot. Robin made two of his three free throws pushing Ulm up 46-34. On Ulm's next possession, the team faced an endline inbound situation with 4 seconds on the shot clock. Taking a timeout, Ulm designed their play. On the first attempt, good Giessen defense deflected the ball back out of bounds. Ulm now had three seconds to work with. Fortunately, Giessen defenders got caught up in a switch as two defenders guarded the same man leaving Rocky Trice wide open on the left wing. Rocky sank the late clock jumpshot lifting Ulm to a 48-34 advantage. Ulm defense recorded their second shot clock violation of the first half and Sean Sonderleiter kept the run going with a strong post move for another two. Ulm led 50-34. Following another Ulm stop, Rocky Trice found Sebastian Betz open in the left corner for another three. Giessen's Maurice Jeffers hit a three for the 46ers but Ulm still held a 53-37 margin. With 1:17 remaining in the half, Travis Walton made one of two free throws and Ulm's Sean Sonderleiter added a final basket on a strong post move before the first half horn. Ulm took a 56-37 cushion headnig into the halftime lockerroom.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star point guard Per Gunther attacks the basket Saturday night against LTi Giessen 46ers. Per finished with 10 points 6 assists.
At the half, Ulm shot 78% from the floor making 10 of 12 threes (83%) with 12 assists and outrebounding the 46ers 18-11. Ulm's teamwork and ballmovement led to balanced scoring and the bench production was also a key. Ulm limited Giessen to 39% shooting but the 46ers 7 for 11 from three (64%) helped them keep pace early on. Ulm's 14-0 second quarter run helped them build a 53-34 lead before taking the 19 point advantage into the lockerroom.
ratiopharm Ulm wing Sebastian Betz was perfect from the floor making all four of his shots including 3 of 3 from three to finish with 11 points 3 rebounds in the win.
Opening the second half, Ulm's Robin Benzing was fouled curling strong to the basket. Robin hit one of two free throws. Elvir Ovcina sank a short corner jumper along the left baseline for Giessen. John Bryant answered finished a perfect pass from Per Gunther. Zachary Peacock sank one of two free throws for the 46ers. Robin Benzing buried a top of the key three pushing Ulm's advantage over twenty for the first time on the evening, 62-40. Seconds later, Coleman Collins poked loose a steal and coasted in for a breakaway slam dunk. Ulm led 64-40 as Giessen took a timeout with 8:18 in the third. Peacock drew a foul and sank both free throws for the 46ers before he added another basket in the paint. Ulm led 64-44. John Bryant spun baseline and finished an AND1 three point play under the rim rebuilding Ulm's lead to 67-44 with 7:13 in the third. After an Ulm miss, Ovcina slammed home an easy two to finish a fast break for the 46ers. On the next possession, Ovcina sank a foul line jumper. Ulm took a timeout with 6:10 in the third and a 67-48 lead.
ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey sank 3 of 4 threes for 10 points Saturday night against LTi Giessen 46ers. Lee overcame an ankle injury in his strong performance.
Per Gunther drew a foul and made one of two free throws before Giessen's Michael Jordan sank a three from the right wing. Ulm suffered a turnover that led directly to a foul that sent Giessen's Anthony Smith to the free throw line. Smith made the first and missed the second but Jannik Freese scooped up the offensive rebound. Smith capitalized with a three cutting Ulm's lead to 68-55. Giessen was closing in. Smith scored again and Michael Jordan added one of two free throws pulling the 46ers to ten, 68-58 with 2:34 to go. Just when they needed a big basket, ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey stepped up for his team sinking a top of the key three pushing the margin to 71-58. At the other end, Robin Benzing drew a charge and Sebastian Betz hit a tough pullup jumper in the lane. Moments later, Basti came up with a hustle play and steal on the defensive end that led to a Sean Sonderleiter finish in the lane. In minutes, Ulm rebuilt their lead to 75-58. Closing the quarter, Ulm's Travis Walton sank one of two free throws with 29.4 seconds remaining. At the quarter buzzer, Ulm held a comfortable 76-58 lead.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Travis Walton gave his team strong minutes with 5 points 5 assists in the win.
In the fourth quarter, Ulm's defense started strong as ballpressure from Travis Walton led to a Coleman Collins steal. Alertly, Coleman returned the favor hitting Travis for a breakaway layup. Giessen's Chase Griffin finished a high arching layup off glass for two before Coleman Collins drew a foul and converted two free throws for Ulm. Chase Griffin sank a left corner three for the 46ers but Sean Sonderleiter made one of two free throws and scored on a strong move in the paint. Ulm led 83-63 with 7:07 to play. Elvir Ovcina sank a right corner jumpshot then hit another jumper cutting the margin to 83-67. At the other end, Lee Humphrey drew a foul and made one of two free throws before Robin Benzing hit a long two from the top of the key. With five minutes to play, Ulm led 86-67.
ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant finishes under the rim Satruday night against the LTi Giessen 46ers. John posted his league best 10th double double with 13 points 10 rebounds.
Zachary Peacock scored in the lane for the 46ers before Travis Walton hit one of two free throws for Ulm. Peacock added two more foul shots for Giessen but John Bryant finished in the lane giving Ulm an 89-70 lead. Anthony Smith sank one of two free throws for Giessen and Per Gunther matched it for Ulm. Leading 90-71 with 3:54 to play, Ulm was closing in on victory. Peacock scored for the 46ers but Per Gunther lofted a beautiful lob pass to a dive cutting John Bryant for two. Ulm held a 93-73 lead with 2:25 to go. With 1:58 to play, Robin Benzing gave the Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans alot to cheer about sinking a right wing three in transition.
ratiopharm Ulm sixth man Sebastian Betz surveys the Giessen defense in Saturday nights home win.
Leading 95-73, Ulm took the opportunity to sub rookie guard Marcel Heberlein into the game for his first Bundesliga action. Anthony Smith scored for the 46ers bringing the margin back to twenty. At the other end, Marcel drew a foul on a strong drive earning a trip to the foul line. Heberlein missed his first free throw with a touch of nerves, but recovered to sink the second entering his name into the scorebook for the first time. Dirk Madrich hit a right wing three and the 46ers fouled. Robin Benznig sank two free throws with 45seconds remaining. At the other end, Jannik Freese hit two free throws of his own. In Ulm's final possession of the game, Per Gunther delivered a nice post feed to young center Michael Wenzl. With a strong drop step to the baseline, Wenzl finished strong at the rim giving Ulm 100 points on the evening. At the final buzzer, ratiopharm Ulm could celebrate their 100-80 win over Giessen as an excellen TEAM win.
ratiopharm Ulm Coleman Collins glides in for a breakaway slam in the third quarter.
In the team win, ratiopharm Ulm put six players in double figures led by Robin Benzing who was a perfect 5 for 5 from the floor including 4 for 4 from three for 19 points in the win. Center John Bryant posted a strong 13 point 10 rebound double double, his league best 10th double double of the year. Coleman Collins added 11 points 6 rebounds and Sebastian Betz was a perfect 4 for 4 from the floor and 3 for 3 from three for 11 points in the win. Lee Humphrey hit 3 of 4 threes for 10 points, Per Gunther chipped in 10 points 6 assists, Sean Sonderleiter had 9 points and Rocky Trice finished with 5 points 4 rebounds 4 assists. Travis Walton contributed 5 points 5 assists. Everyone who dressed scored for ratiopharm Ulm including young center Michael Wenzl who finished with 6 points 3 rebounds and Marcel Heberlein scored his first point as a Bundesliga player. As a team, ratiopharm Ulm shot 66% from the floor hitting 13 of 19 threes (68%) and 17 of 29 free throws (59%). Ulm finished with 20 assists and outrebounded Giessen 36-25. Zack Peacock paced Giessen with 14 points 5 boards while Elvir Ovcina added 12 points 4 rebounds, Michael Jordan had 10 points 5 assists and Dirk Mardich had 10 points in the loss.
ratiopharm Ulm's 100-80 home win over Giessen was an excellent team win filled with many positives. Looking ahead, Ulm travels to Gottingen for an exciting matchup against BG Gottingen Violets Sunday evening February 20th tipping off 6pm at Lokhalle. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
