TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
VS 
Ulm Edges Jena!!
ratiopharm Ulm closed out the 2005 schedule with a big win edging league rival erdgas Baskets Jena 74-72 before an overflow crowd at Sportszentrum Kuhberg Friday night in Ulm. Improving to a league best 14-0 and remaining unbeaten into the Christmas Break, Ulm's key win gives them a three game lead plus head to head advantage over 11-3 Jena (11-2 Chemnitz enters Christmas break in second place). Outstanding team defense that limited Jena to 11 points in the fourth quarter and excellent crunch-time offensive play pushed Ulm to the tight win late in the game as the team rallied from a 7 point third quarter deficit with big plays from the entire roster. Jonathan Levy, who has demonstrated a knack for making big shots all season, sank two clutch free throws with 8 seconds remaining to position Ulm for the win. Center Maksym Shtein showed a warroirs heart scoring 13 points with 8 rebounds returning for the fourth quarter after being sidelined with a third quarter forehead gash that required 3 stitches to sew up on the sideline. Jeff Gibbs powered his way to 9 points and a game high 14 rebounds while Emeka Erege played tremendous defense and provided super leadership. Point guard Martin Thuesen was solid in his minutes and drilled a first half three. Ulm also received excellent production from bench players Christian Grosse, Florian Mobius and Jan Sprunken who all contributed in the win --- Sprunken sank three critical three point shots, Mobius hit 3 of 5 big shots for 6 points and Grosse added 8 points including 2 for 4 from behind the arc.
ULM CELEBRATES THE BIG WIN!
Ulm captain Emeka Erege hits a mid-lane jumper in the big win! Erege was excellent defensively and provided outstanding leadership for his teammates.
Ulm's Jonathan Levy against Jena's Ronnie Taylor. Jono sank the game clinching free throws with 8 seconds remaining.
Jeff Gibbs battled hard all game for a game best 14 rebounds. Here the Ulm power forward posts up Jena big man Oliver Braun.
Maksym Shtein played through a 3rd quarter cut that momentarily sidelined him requiring 3 stitches. Max scored 13 points and grabbed 8 boards. Here he passes to a teammate spotting up on the perimeter as Oliver Braun and Alexander Seggelke (6) defend.
Ulm point guard Martin Thuesen penetrates past Jena point Gregory Burks.
Ulm guard Christian Grosse beats Jena's Gregory Burks with a strong drive. Grosse was a key off the bench scoring 8 points including 2 of 4 three point shots.
Experienced Ulm wing Jan Sprunken (9) was a major factor for victory on both ends of the floor. Jan "the Gun" hit three key three pointers in the Ulm comeback and defended well in crunch time.
A fantastic way to finish the first half of the season, Ulm enters into a Christmas Break at a perfect 14-0 in 2.Bundesliga South play. Holding a 2 1/2 game lead plus head to head advantage over 11-2 Chemnitz and 3 game plus head to head advantage over 11-3 Jena, Ulm staff, players and fans can now enjoy a wonderful Christmas and Holiday season. The team returns to action Sunday January 15th, 2006 with a challenging road game at 11-3 FC1 Kaiserslautern for a 6pm tip.
16 game days remain in the 2.Bundesliga South and this big win over Jena puts Ulm in excellent position heading into the holidays. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com
GO ULM!
MIKE T
