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SHORTHANDED ULM STYMIES KRONBERG 95-51 ratiopharm Ulm bench looked strange Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg --- rather than a roster complete and 12 deep, Ulm entered their 2.Bundesliga South game hard hit from injuries leaving less healthy active players on the bench than team personnel. Already without injured big men Antoine Sinclair and Michael Niebling, point guard Shaheen Holloway was forced to miss the Kronberg game due to an inflamed achilles. Sometimes a team needs a boost. Better yet, like an elixer, sometimes a team needs a shot. Sparked by strong defense, a 12-0 second half run and an energizing shot, ratiopharm Ulm ran away from a limited MTV Kronberg squad 95-51 to improve to 15-4 in league play.
Along with the injuries, Ulm also made significant roster moves during the week that will impact the team. First, ratiopharm Ulm general manager Thomas Stoll announced a contract extension for point guard Shaheen Holloway which will keep him in Ulm for the remainder of the season and next year. Holloway and small forward Emeka Erege are currently established as building blocks for the future with contracts into next season. The Holloway contract does include and NBA opt out clause in the event the Queens native earns a spot on an NBA roster (he was the last cut by the New Jersey Nets this October). Striking the deal with Shaheen means Michael Bree would play a reduced role with ratiopharm Ulm. However, in the best interest of everyone, Ulm agreed to release the Irish national team point guard clearing the way for his return to Rosalia de Castro in Spains LEB2. Starting at the point in the absence of both Bree and Holloway, Christian Grosse set the tone for his evening early. On Ulm's initial possession, the 5'11 guard fed Maksym Shtein in the post and cut off the left block for a perfect give and go easy basket. Ulm jumped to the lead and coasted through the majority of the first quarter. MTV Kronberg, without young talents Alex King and Berent Kaviaklioglu and dressing no Americans, stayed in the game with hustle plays and hardwork. Dealing with disappointment of recent losses and the added frustration of injuries, Ulm seemed to play without enthusiasm and energy. Leading 12-11, Ulm burst forward to finish the first quarter ahead 19-14. Kronberg aggressively attacked the offensive boards to stay close. Defensively, Ulm's tempo control press and zone forced Kronberg into tough shots. As Ulm edged further ahead, forward Florian Mobius was whistled for his 3rd foul midway through the second quarter. Recently signed forward Fannar Olafsson made his home debut adding the missing energy and intensity to the lineup. Banging, boarding, screening and sealing, the Icelandic national team member made an excellent contribution to his new team. Christian Grosse sank two three pointers in a 22-12 second quarter as Ulm assumed command heading into the halftime lockerrom up 41-26.
FANNAR OLAFSSON: 12 points 9 boards in home debut Ulm's first half performance was decent --- limiting Kronberg to 25% shooting from the floor and outrebounding the visitors 23-10. Ulm also was efficient committing only 3 turnovers while shooting 55% from the floor. Unfortunately, likely due to lack of concentration, the team shot an eye-popping 38% (5-13) from the foul line. Adjusting offensive spacing, discussing high-low options, focusing on defensive rotations in zone and retreats in press, Ulm players huddled in an attempt to sum energy for the second half. The third quarter was not pretty. Both teams struggled to find a rhythm on the offensive end. Outside shooting went cold. Settling into their zone, Ulm continued to have success forcing tough shots. After a 3-17 first half, Kronberg hit only 2 of 12 three point attempts in the second leaving them at 5-19 (17%) for the game. Ulm limited Kronberg to 8 points in the third quarter. Intensity from the defensive end carried over. A 12-0 run broke a 47-34 game open pushing the score to 59-34 at the end of three. Peter Heizer was the catalyst in the explosion, picking up steals, running the lanes for fastbreak scores and inspiring the team with effort. Despite the lead, Ulm still seemed slightly out of sync (likely a result of the injuries and issues facing the team). Emotionally, Ulm players seemed to search for a spark. They found it. Like a medical shot curing ills, Ulm received a boost at the end of the third quarter. In the final seconds of the third, Ulm's Fannar Olafsson drew a charge in the paint earning an Ulm possession. With 1.8 seconds in the quarter, Florian Mobius held the ball on the baseline with the entire floor to go. Mobius scanned the floor and spotted Peter Heizer open along the right sideline. Like a wide receiver running an out and up, Heizer sprinted down the sideline toward halfcourt. Flo's pass bounced before the midcourt line and Heizer intelligently let the momentum of the ball carry. Getting his steps, the athletic Ulm wing gathered the ball off one bounce and shot a 35 foot one leg runner. Floating through the air as the buzzer sounded, the shot went in immediately sending a rush of adrenaline through Sportszentrum Kuhberg! High fives, smiles and enthusiasm returned! Heizer's end-of-quarte heroics were just what the doctor ordered! Ulm capitalized on the momentum bursting to a 36 point fourth quarter. Grosse and Kenny Price buried three point shots and Ulm's transition game converted easy scores. In all 6 Ulm players hit double figures. As the game clock ticked down, Ulmer reserves Tobi Waitzinger and Benni Gulde made appearance. Gulde drilled a three before converting a breakaway layup in the last minutes.
Instructions for the rookie: Mike T and Benni Gulde Taylorhoops.com Player of the Game Christian Grosse made it happen in his start scoring a team high 22 points with 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Playing a season high 36 minutes, Grosse hit 4 of 7 three point shots and committed only 1 turnover. Kenny Price added 17 points, 5 boards, 4 assists and 4 steals and Fannar Olafsson added a solid 12 points and 9 rebounds. Heizer hit for 11 points, 5 boards and 4 assists and Florian Mobius sank a perfect 5 for 5 from the floor for 10 points. Maksym Shtein recorded a double double of 10 points and a team high 11 rebounds. Ulm returns to action next Sunday with a road game against hardworking and physical Bayern Munich. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm baketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com! GO ULM! MIKE T
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