TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULTIMATE UPSET!
Sportszentrum Kuhberg was quiet as Ulm trailed by 12 late in the third quarter against Euroleague participant and reigning German Champion Rheinenergy Koln Saturday night. Minutes later, as ratiopharm Ulm stormed back, Ulmer fans nearly raised the roof. Ignited by Jonathan Levy's threes and alley oop slam, supported by Florian Mobius' key contribution off the bench and finished by Bryan Lucas' crafty post moves, ratiopharm Ulm pulled off the ultimate upset for an "Aufsteiger" by beating Koln 82-77 before a sold out Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd.
Ulm's Byran Lucas celebrates the final seconds of Saturday nights upset win!
click here for Box Score Ulm v Rheinenergie Koln
click here for Ulm v Koln photo Gallery!
After hanging surprisingly close to the German champions in an 84-75 loss at the Rheinenergie Dome Sunday October 15th, few felt ratiopharm Ulm stood any chance to knock off the battle-tested, experienced and deep team from Koln. Even though ratiopharm Ulm had won three straight home games and advanced into the German Cup Elite 8 with a midweek road win at Giessen, 16-4 Koln entered Saturdays game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg tied for first place with ALBA Berlin and EnBW Ludwigsburg. Earning respect for their performance as a newcomer to the Bundesliga, 9-11 ratiopharm Ulm entered Saturday night as a clear underdog. But as the Ulm team believes, everyone found out --- anything can happen at Sportszentrum Kuhberg!
Ulm captain Emeka Erege prepares to feed the post on an important late-game possession.
Tipping off the action, the class of Koln was on display early. Two fast fouls on Ulm C Bryan Lucas put extra pressure on the teams frontcourt. Dealing with the extremely talented Koln squad by changing defenses, Ulm scrambled to keep pace. Every mistake Ulm made, the experienced Koln team punished. Marcin Gortat exploited his size and athletic advantage inside for Koln and Demond Mallet was nothing less than money from the perimeter. Ulm's balanced offensive attack was highlighted by Jonathan Levy's scoring skills. Sticking close with the German champ, Ulm earned a defensive stop and could have held for a final shot. But leading 16-15, a mismanaged possession where the team was not aware of the end of quarter clock resulted in a poor quick shot. In an instant, Koln raced up the court and converted a buzzer beating lob to take a 17-16 lead into quarter two. Lesson learned --- make a mistake against a top team and they make you pay immediately. Ulm's inexperience showed from time to time.
After a quarter-break huddle to discuss several aspects of the action, Ulm charged forward with a strong run. Jono's exciting tip-dunk brought the Ulm crowd into the game and captured momentum for his team. Konrad Wysocki made his presence felt on both ends of the floor. Perimeter shooting from Emeka Erege, Konrad Wysocki and Florian Mobius sparked Ulm to a 32-25 lead forcing a Koln timeout. Unfazed, Koln turned to Demond Mallet whose clutch-shot-capability is off the scale. Mallet buried three first half threes when his team needed them most. After a hardfought first half, Koln seemed in control as they took a 41-39 lead into the lockerroom.
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs finishes against Koln's Alexander Nadjefji.
During the halftime break, ratiopharm Ulm had several areas to focus on including finding Mallet in transition, defensive rebounding and communication in changing their defenses. Offensively, the team discussed their execution and management of possessions. Most important, Ulm could play more "connected" and "give more" to each other. Ulm shot 53% from the floor in the first half while Koln hit 50%. Koln outrebounded Ulm 18-14. With great respect for Koln, aware the experienced German champions would make a run, Ulm returned for the second half prepared to beat Koln understanding Koln would not beat themselves.
Ulm forwards Florian Mobius and Konrad Wysocki defend Koln's Immanuel McElroy.
True to form, it was Koln who went to work early in the third and as expected, built a lead. Despite tough defense, Demond Mallet buried big baskets in the third and Alexander Nadjefji steadily found his rhythm. Trying to find a way to slow down Mallet's burn, Ulm switched several defenders onto him including Jonathan Levy, Ian Young and Emeka Erege. Koln pushed ahead into double digits as the Ulm offensive attack and Kuhberg crowd went silent. Somewhere Ulm needed to find a spark. As the third quarter clock wound down, Koln Head Coach Sasa Obradovic designed an intelligent play for the final possession. Pushing the ball up the floor with tempo, after reversal, Demond Mallet dashed off a double screen to the left wing. Catching and firing over several challenging hands, Mallet buried another big bucket at the buzzer giving Koln momentum and a ten point lead 62-52. A potential dagger, Koln seemed in complete control. Frustrated with the finish to the quarter, being outscored 21-13 by Koln in the third, Ulm refocused together for the final ten minutes.
Ulm G Jonathan Levy starred in the comeback with three three-pointers and a fantastic alley-oop slam.
After such a quiet third quarter, the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd seemed to be waiting for something big. But big began small. Attacking the Koln defense, Jonathan Levy took a penetrate pitch pass from Ian Young and drilled a right corner three ball that excited the Kuhberg crowd. Ulm had hope. Strong defensive stops gave Ulm more chance. A Florian Mobius right wing three took the energy to another level. Ulm's comeback had begun. A terrific shot block from Ian Young on Mallet added to the momentum. Levy canned his second important three from the right wing. Ulm fought their way back into the game, bringing the crowd with them. Suddenly, it was anyone's ball game. Another Levy three and big baskets from Jeff Gibbs powered Ulm ahead.
Ulm F Konrad Wysocki ignited his team with 9 points 2 rebounds and solid defense as 6th man from the bench!
Needing a big basket to ensure the lead, ratiopharm Ulm turned to Bryan Lucas in a one on one matchup against Koln C Marcin Gortat on the left block. As the shot clock ran down in this crunch possession, Lucas skillfully spun toward the baseline swooping along the board before smoothly sneaking a quick-bank shot in for the games most important basket. Up 5 with under two minutes to play, Ulm seemed on the verge of an amazing upset. However, Koln would not go down without a fight. As Jeff Gibbs scored through physical Guido Grunheid defense, the Ulm lead grew to 7 as time grew short. Gibbs' patience also grew short as he complained to officials about a foul. Clearly upset, Gibbs' frustration distracted him from the next defensive possession. Koln quickly balling ahead to Grunheid, Gibbs tried to cut off Guido's baseline drive on the right side. Whistled for a fourth foul, Gibbs again had words for the officials. Seconds later, an intentional foul was whistled on Gibbs giving him a 5th foul with 55 seconds to play. Taking a timeout to get organized, Koln would have 4 free throws plus possession which in theory could tie the game. Grunheid sank 3 of 4 free throws rattling them in with soft touch. Out of the ensuing sideline inbound, a Koln three was off and Ulm defenders grabbed the ball. Fouling to send Ulm to the line, Austen Rowland cooly swished both free throws to the joy of the Ulm crowd. With time running out, Koln's desperation possession also rimmed out. This time a fantastic loose-ball scramble followed with several players from both teams diving and flopping and falling in an authentic hustle-comedy scene that could not be duplicated. As Koln finally came up with the loose ball, their last second halfcourt heave was off --- but the Ulm celebration was on. For Ulm, an "Aufsteiger" the amazing fourth quarter comeback to beat the Euroleague/reigning German Champ, can arguably be considered an Ultimate Upset!
Bryan Lucas spins and scores against Koln's Marcin Gortat for the biggest basket of the game!
Earning their 4th straight home win and most impressive upset of the season, ratiopharm Ulm shot 54% (28-51) from the floor, 47% (8-17) from three and 72% (18-25) from the foul line in the game. Although Koln outrebounded Ulm 29-24, Ulm was sharp and committed only 10 turnovers while dishing out 15 assists. Jonathan Levy starred for Ulm topscoring with 21 points 5 rebounds and Bryan Lucas added 15 points 4 boards in the win. Jeff Gibbs added 12 points 4 boards before fouling out. Demond Mallet demonstrated his highlevel ability leading Koln with 23 points including 5 of 12 threes. Alexander Nadjefji added 13 points 4 assists and Marcin Gortat contributed 12 points 6 rebounds in the loss. Both Immanuel McElroy and Guido Grunheid reached double figures as well with 10.
Ulm players salute the Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans who were a huge boost to the team in the fourth quarter!
Now 10-11, ratiopharm Ulm takes a two day break before returning to the practice floor in preparations for next Sundays road trip to Paderborn for a 5pm Sunday tipoff which will be shown live on Premiere TV. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
