TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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Team Effort Lifts Ulm Over Karlsruhe!
ratiopharm Ulm shot 54% from the floor and distributed 24 assists in cruising to an 8th straight home win beating BG Karlsruhe 101-83 Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Jonathan Levy led the strong team effort with 26 points while Jeff Gibbs dominated the lane for a 20 point 15 rebound double double. But the win was much more about the team than simply two key players. Point guard Austen Rowland continued his outstanding play matching his Bundesliga-best assist mark of 12 and Maksym Shtein scored 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting off the bench. Now 15-14, ratiopharm Ulm will enjoy the Easter Holiday before refocusing for two important games next weekend!
Ulm's Jonathan Levy led the offensive attack with a game-best 26 point performance Saturday night agaisnt Karlsruhe!
At first glance, Saturday's home game was a "gimmie" for ratiopharm Ulm. After all, earlier this season Ulm hammered BG Karlsruhe 106-83 on the road at Europahalle on November 1st in Karlsruhe. Since the start of the season, Karlsruhe had been through tremendous adversity on and off the floor, were on their 4th different head coach and mired in a 26 game losing streak. But for ratiopharm Ulm, the game was bigger than simply a matchup against Karlsruhe.
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Ulm's Jeff Gibbs powered his way to a 20 point 15 rebound double double in Saturday's win over BG Karlsruhe.
Karlsruhe arrived at Sportszentrum Kuhberg shorthanded without key players Narcisse Ewodo and Stefan Svitek. Suiting up 9 players, back up big man Andreas Horning was also a scratch before tip off. The weak Karlsruhe roster featured six experienced players and 3 young talents. To their credit, they competed extremely hard and made the game anything but easy. From the opening tip, the tempo was fast. After several offensive rebounds on the games opening possession, the ball found Bryan Lucas unguarded at the top of the key where he smoothly buried the games first basket with an ice-breaking three. Both teams exchanged baskets and sprinted end to end. As expected, more emphasis was placed on the offensive attack for both teams. Enjoying the fast pace, Ulm players found their rhythm early. Fans also enjoyed the Easter Holiday weekend fast-paced action. But despite all their problems, Karlsruhe clearly came to play. Their three guard attack of Domonic Jones, Alton Mason and Sheiku Kabba made plays one one one and pushed the ball in transition. Back and forth, Ulm and Karlsruhe were even at 15. At that point, it was Ulm's Jonathan Levy who elevated his game. Burying a deep shot-clock beating three, Jono ingnited an Ulm run that helped them finish the first quarter with a strong 15-7 run. Levy sank another late-clock three from the other wing and Ulm defense sparked transition baskets to fortify their lead. With the late first quarter run, Ulm fans cheered as their team took control of the game early with a 30-22 lead.
ratiopharm Ulm's point guard Austen Rowland matched his Bundesliga season-best assist mark dishing out 12 assists in another excellent floor game.
After one quarter, ratiopharm Ulm focused on their transition defense and shot selection. Playing against Karlsruhe, many shots were available and Ulm settled for perimeter-first looks in the early action. Aiming for an inside-out attack on offense and improved transition defense, Ulm returned to the floor for the second quarter focused to build on their lead. With solid bench production, ratiopharm Ulm did just that. C Maksym Shtein was extremely effective in his first half minutes and reserves Jan Sprunken and Christian Grosse also contributed in their playing time. Sprunken buried a left corner three against the Karlsruhe zone and Grosse finished a strong driving layup in the lane. The flow of the game continued to be fast-breaking and up and down. Ulm's key players were extremely productive. Levy scored and attacked, Gibbs rebounded and finished and Rowland distributed. With a solid 24-16 second quarter, Ulm held a commanding 54-38 hafltime lead. Importantly, the fist half was a solid team performance.
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| Ulm C Maksym Shtein was excellent off the bench scoring 15 points on 6 for 8 shooting!
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With a 16 point advantage at the break, Ulm aimed for a disciplined game in the second half. Transition defense, one on one defensive work and active team D were keys to sustaining their success. Ulm defensive stops would lead to transition baskets and extra-effort on D could lead to easy points. Offensively, concentration was centered on shot-selection and execution. Again, playing against Karlsruhe, discipline and sticking to strengths became a key. Playing the same way with a lead or against a team that had lost 26 straight games meant staying team-oriented and together.
New G EJ Gallup surveys the Karlsruhe defense in Saturday nights home win.
ratiopharm Ulm's third quarter was everything the coaching staff could ask for. Playing freely in transition, Ulm's players found their rhythm and made exciting plays. Beautiful passing in transition highlighted the Ulm attack. Dime's from Austen Rowland and Jonathan Levy led to easy baskets at full speed on the break. Ulm outscored Karlsruhe 26-19 in the third building on their lead. Using the game wisely, Ulm experimented with several different lineups to prepare for the stretch run. Finishing the game with fun, Ulm enjoyed the fourth quarter cruising to their 101-83 victory and 8th straight home win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
ratiopharm Ulm sharpshooter Jan Sprunken drilled a first half three as part of the teams strong second quarter.
As a team ratiopharm Ulm shot 54% from the floor and dished out 24 assists while outrebounding Karlsruhe 49-32. Jonathan Levy's 26 point night paced the Ulm offense with strong support from Jeff Gibbs' 20 point 15 rebound double-double and Maksym Shtein's 15 point effort. Austen Rowland's 12 assists added to his string of strong performances. Domonic Jones topscored for Karlsruhe with 20 points while Skeiku Kabba added 16 in the loss. Pedro Cipriano produced a 12 point 10 rebound double double.
Pleased with the victory, ratiopharm Ulm's 8th straight home win, Head Coach Mike Taylor was happy with the teamwork and discipline within the game.
After Easter Sunday, ratiopharm Ulm continues their exciting season with two big games in the week ahead at Giessen on Friday before returning home against powerful Eisbaren Bremerhaven next Sunday. Certainly, the springtime and stretch run of basketball season is a fantastic time of year! Follow all the fastbreaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
