TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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POWER PLAY!
Facing the uptempo attack and pressure system employed by BG74 Gottingen, ratiopharm Ulm resorted to what they do best --- playing a power game. All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs powered his way a fantastic 21 point 17 rebound game, Bryan Lucas scored 15 points with 4 boards and Konrad Wysocki added a 13 point 10 rebound double double as Ulm earned an exciting 91-82 road win Thursday night at Lokhalle in Gottingen. Stretching their winning streak to 5 games, Ulm broke open an even 46-46 game with a 25-16 third quarter. Facing their former team, both Konrad Wysocki and Kyle Bailey made big baskets in the second half and were well-received from the passionate Lokhalle crowd. An exciting game of runs, Ulm met the unique challenge of Gottingen's run and gun system with a solid team effort. It took Ulm two quarters to figure out the puzzle, but in Thursday night's win, Ulm's answer was their power play.
ratiopharm Ulm's Energizing forward Konrad Wysocki drives against Gottingen's Willie Jenkins in Thursday's action at Lokhalle. Konrad scored 13 points with 10 rebounds against his former team.
Click here for Photo Gallery of Ulm @ Gottingen
Entering game, which was featured live on BBL.TV, both ratiopharm Ulm and BG74 Gottingen took the floor following wins last Sunday. Ulm edged Oldenburg on Emeka Erege's "miraculous" halfcourt buzzer beater extending their winning streak to four games and two on the road. Meanwhile, Gottingen also enjoyed a terrific team win earlier that day at Ballsporthalle beating Deutsche Bank Skyliners in Frankfurt. Both teams entered the contest with confidence and energy. The matchup provided a unique clash of playing style as John Patrick and his team from Gottingen featured an uptempo run and gun attack often using smaller lineups creating mismatches on offense along with pressure defense. Although the addition of new post man David Monds brought the team more toward traditional basketball, the uptempo game is fun to play and to watch. Certainly the crowd at historic Lokhalle, a renovated locomotive factory turned Arena complete with cranes, rusted beams and fantastic character, was fully charged to support their home team to a second straight win.
The Gottingen crowd also anticipated the return of former BG players Kyle Bailey and Konrad Wysocki --- both enjoying outstanding seasons with ratiopharm Ulm. KB was a focal point of last seasons 2.Bundesliga North championship team at Gottingen and had a heavy hand in helping the team move up. Meanwhile, Konrad playing in Gottingen during a brief stop along the way after returning to Europe from Princeton University in the Ivy League. Both players were excited about the chance to return to Gottingen for Thursdays game and as pregame introductions took place, the Gottingen fans showed much appreciation for their former players now with Ulm.
As the game tipped of ratiopharm Ulm powered to a strong start. Ulm established the inside immediately as Jeff Gibbs and Konrad Wysocki got buckets on the block. With excellent teamwork and floor spacing, Ulm put the ball into the post to Gibbs who zipped a cross court pass to Bryan Lucas on the right wing. Lucas buried a three ball and Ulm was clicking on all cylinders. Minutes later, Lucas returned the favor to Gibbs in nearly the identical spot as the Ulm All Star four man sent a right wing three ball straight to China. A beautiful bounce pass from Konrad Wysocki to a cutting Lucas was a showcase for Ulm's offense followed by a sensational spinmove by EJ Gallup in one motion dropping a dime to backdoor cutting Jeff Gibbs who finished an AND 1 three point play. Ulm's defense effectively controlled the Gottingen attack and cleaned up the defensive boards. When John Patrick called a timeout, Ulm had built a 15-5 lead and was playing their power game.
But out of the timeout, Gottingen came into the game. After Jeff Gibbs stole a pass in the paint and fired a long bomb outlet pass that was stole right back, the Violet team got energized. Darren Brooks scored and immediately stole the Gibbs inbound pass for a back to back score. Like lightning, Gottingen struck back. Calling a timeout, the Ulm team came to the bench to calm down. However, during the middle of their strategy discussion, referee Tony Rodriguez entered the huddle and cut the timeout short. The technical commissioner refused to recognize ratiopharm Ulm's timeout and forced the team back onto the floor. In all, Gottingen's run and gun attack thrived during this two minute stretch of the second quarter and Ulm suffered several turnovers along with frenzied play. The 13-0 run built a lead. Willie Jenkins buried several open threes and Darren Brooks scored on terrific one on one drives. Kyle Bailey picked up his second foul early in the second quarter and Ulm's Dru Joyce made his mark on the game. The rookie point guard fit right into the game plan and handled the Gottingen pressure extremely well. Joyce made plays beating the ballpressure and also organized the Ulm offense. Dru's impact on the game was important because he helped Ulm weather the pressure storm with Kyle in foul trouble. Along with Joyce, forward Florian Mobius gave Ulm key minutes off the bench. He buried a clutch corner three and defended well in the uptempo game. Working to figure out the puzzle, ratiopharm Ulm finally cracked the code late in the second quarter. Dru Joyce penetrated wide, drew defenders and zipped a skip pass to a wide open EJ Gallup --- the sharpshooter drew the rotations and closeout, then fired a perfect pass to Konrad Wysocki in the paint who drew a foul. The play helped Ulm understand their way to success for later in the game. Struggling to stabalize their defense, Ulm gave up too many open shots and offensive rebounds in the first two quarters. Gottingen thrived with the flow of the game and felt like they were playing their way. But Ulm finished the first half strong with Jeff Gibbs scoring a late bucket to tie the game at 46 heading to the lockerroom.
Ulm floor general Kyle Bailey sets up the offense for his team in Thursdays game as Nigel Moore defends. After helping the Violtes win the 2.Bundesliga North last season, BG74 fans welcomed KB back to Gottingen.
At the half, adjustments were important. Ulm focused on their defensive performance emphasizing their one on one work, transition defense and defensive rebounding. On the offensive end, Ulm focused on the information learned from the first half --- considering what Gottingen was doing defensively and what Ulm could do to counter. With specific tactics in mind, Ulm emphasized their power game. Happy to be tied 46-46, having withstood the energy from the Gottingen crowd and 13-0 first quarter run, Ulm knew they would receive a boost after managing foul trouble with Kyle Bailey and Emeka Erege. Having discussed this matchup would be a game of runs and a 40 minute game, Ulm returned to the floor even on the scoreboard starting fresh with more information on how to handle the unique Gottingen game plan.
Demonstrating strong focus, ratiopharm Ulm powered their way to a strong start opening the third quarter. On the first possession, Jeff Gibbs set the tone backing down Gottingen's Darren Brooks for an easy basket in the paint. Despite his undersize as a strong athletic wing, Brooks took on the challenge of stopping Gibbs. Most teams choose to put bigger matchups on Gibbs, but Gottingen went small with Brooks. Ulm took advantage with a steady diet of inside plays for their all star four man. While Kyle Bailey organized the Ulm attack extremely well, Ulm's defense stiffened during this phase and the guests ran off a 12-0 run as Konrad Wysocki and EJ Gallup got baskets. Ulm took away BG74 open shots and controlled the defensive boards. The stops created fast break chances and Bailey made good decisons. With 3 minutes remaining in the third, Ulm pushed their lead to 15 at 67-52. Gottingen responded taking advantage of several late third Ulm turnovers but Dru Joyce's driving layup in the final seconds of the third sent Ulm into the final ten minutes with a 71-62 lead.
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs was a force in the paint on both ends scoring 21 points with 17 rebounds. Here, the Ulm All Star Power Forward defends Gottingen's post man David Monds.
In the 4th quarter, Ulm held off a Gottingen comeback by playing with composure and making big shots. Kyle Bailey buried a clutch right wing three and Jeff Gibbs scored inside. As Ulm maintained their margin, captain Emeka Erege --- who won the last game in Oldenburg with a "miracle" halfcourt three --- made a critical left corner three off a beautiful pass from a driving Dru Joyce. Down the stretch, Ulm's poise and teamwork helped them hold a double digit lead and clutch free throw shooting from Bryan Lucas, Jeff Gibbs, Konrad Wysocki and Kyle Bailey helped seal the 91-82 road win. An entertaining game for fans and players, ratiopharm Ulm left the floor with a strong team performance characterized by excellent adjustements from the players within the game. Meanwhile, Gottingen demonstrated impressive energy, effort and determination in falling short.
After Thursdays game, Konrad Wysocki talks with former coach John Patrick at midcourt.
With an emphasis on the power game, ratiopharm Ulm put five starters in double figures led by Jeff Gibbs with 21 points 17 rebounds, Bryan Lucas added 15 points and Konrad Wysocki 13 points 10 boards. Dru Joyce played an outstanding game off the bench scoring 10 points with 2 assists and a perfect 6 for 6 from the foul line. More important, Joyce handled the extreme Gottingen ballpressure extremely well. Kyle Bailey chipped in 8 points 5 rebounds in an strong second half performance despite first half foul trouble. For Gottingen, Darren Brooks scored 20 points with 6 boards and 4 assists. Willie Jenkins added 18 points 5 rebounds. Dwayne Kirkley added 11 points 7 rebounds and David Monds scored 11 for BG74. Comparing the teams, Ulm shot 51% from the floor and made 5 of 19 from three (26%). Ulm also buried 24 of 30 free throws (80%) for the game. Gottingen shot 42% from the floor and took 12 more shots than their Ulmer guests. BG made 13 of 20 from the charity stripe (65%) and 7 of 26 from three (27%). Ulm outrebounded Gottingen 49-31 but suffered 24 turnovers against the Violets pressure. To earn the win Thursday night in Gottingen against the interesting uptempo attack, ratiopharm Ulm went to their power game.
For ratiopharm Ulm, Thursdays road win over Gottingen adds to their recent run of excellent play which has resulted in a 5 game win streak. With a quick turnaround, Ulm returns home to play digibu Baskets Paderborn Sunday evening for a 5pm tip at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
