TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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Ulm's Good Medicine!
Sometimes a win is the best medicine. Like a Bayer aspirin relieves a headache, ratiopharm Ulm's 105-87 home win was the perfect remedy for the bitter pill of last weeks doule-overtime German Cup loss in Berlin which left everyone competitively-sick. Pharmaceutical products aside, ratiopharm Ulm's Easter Monday win gave the team and fans a 'Feel-good' performance to remember in taking a third straight Bundesliga win. In the last of the classic games between Pharmaceutical giants Bayer and ratiopharm, for Ulm, topping Leverkusen in a terrific team effort was good medicine.
Ulm's Dru Joyce works from his triple threat in Mondays win over Leverkusen. The rookie PG from Akron played another excellent floor game with 8 points 4 rebounds 11 assists.
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Prior to tip off, all indications pointed toward a shootout at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Ulm and Leverkusen entered the Easter Monday Holiday game as the top two offensive teams in the Bundesliga and also topped the statistic charts as the Bundesligas best two rebounding teams. Fans filled Sportszentrum Kuhberg ready for the exciting matchup while others watched the game live via BBL.TV. Both Ulm and Leverkusen had alot to play for Monday afternoon. Head coach Achim Kuczmann and his men entered the game in Ulm riding a 7 game win streak. In fact, with a win, Leverkusen would take over the top spot in the Bundesliga standings after Paderborns upset win in Artland. Meanwhile, Ulm aimed to extend their two game winning streak in the Bundesliga while bouncing back from their heartbreaking German Cup loss at ALBA Berlin last Wednesday.
Ulm sharpshooter EJ Gallup topscored with 19 points and drilled 4 of 9 threes to add to his Bundesliga best total.
ratiopharm Ulm demonstrated their determination immediately. After Zack Whiting hit one of two foul shots, Konrad Wysocki drilled a right wing three off ball reversal and the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd came into the game. Sean Finn scored inside and opened the first quarter with a strong performance. Leverkusen answered with their quick-strike attack. But early in the action, Ulm caught fire offensively as EJ Gallup buried a three, Jeff Gibbs powered for points in the paint and Sean Finn finished a three point play through contact in the lane forcing a Leverkusen timeout. Ulm's momentum carried over after the pause forcing a turnover with their fullcourt press. The Ulm run built an early 20-7 advantage. Romeo Travis entered the game and went to work scoring on an offensive rebound and providing defensive spark. But as quickly as the Ulm lead grew, like lightning, Leverkusen struck back. Brendan Winters showed his terrific shooting touch by burying several big three pointers to help the visitors gain their footing. Off the bench, scoring forward Brant Bailey also sparked the Leverkusen offense with several outstanding one on one moves resulting in big Leverkusen baskets. The fast paced first quarter set the tone for the afternoon and it was without question offensive-oriented. At the end of the first quarter, Ulm held a 28-21 lead over Leverkusen. Both teams established themselves on the offensive end but Ulm earned a distinct advantage on the boards.
Ulm All Star Jeff Gibbs grabs a rebound in traffic between Leverkusen big men Eric Taylor and Rans Brempong. Gibbs was outstanding Monday afternoon producing a 14 point 12 rebound 3 assist 2 block game.
Quarter two showed basketball fans exactly why Leverkusen has enjoyed such tremendous success as a team this season. With intelligent play and teamwork, the veteran Leverkusen team worked their way back into the game. After establishing the post with outstanding work from Sean Finn, Jeff Gibbs, Konrad Wysocki and company, Ulm settled for several quick three point shots. While the looks were good, the misses triggered the Leverkusen fast break and Brendan Winters and Rans Brempong delivered momentum building fastbreak points to their team. As the gap narrowed, the entertaining game created excitement. With just over 2 minutes remaining in the first half, a Gordon Geib three gave Leverkusen the lead at 45-44. It would be their last of the afternoon. Ulm's attack momentarily slowed as the team was whistled for consecutive charging calls when Dru Joyce and EJ Gallup picked up offensive fouls. Ulm collected themselves in a timeout emphasizing their teamwork and composure. On the bench with three fouls, Joyce was the lone Ulm point guard in the lineup as Kyle Bailey was inactive due to injury. Out of the timeout, Jeff Gibbs controlled a defensive rebound and advanced the ball coast to coast. Missing his attempt, Romeo Travis flew in to stuff the ball in off the rim with an athletic tip dunk. Ulm's defense rose to the challenge and the team established a 51-47 lead heading into halftime. Again, while both teams played well offensively, Ulm's hardwork on the boards had them outrebounding Leverkusen by 14.
Ulm C Sean Finn uses the old 'step on the foot' trick to score against Leverkusen's Rans Brempong in the post.
At the half, Ulm's main concern was stopping the Leverkusen transition game and defending Brendan Winters and Brant Bailey who were enjoying terrific offensive games.
Ulm's Romeo Travis scans the floor in Mondays win. The recently signed forward scored 15 points with 7 boards in a strong performance for his new team.
Attempting to change the game, Leverkusen opened the second half in a zone defense. Ulm quickly settled into their attack and EJ Gallup drilled a left corner three. After attacking the zone successfully, Leverkusen went back to man and Sean Finn scored inside against Rans Brempong using the old 'Step on the foot' trick. ratiopharm Ulm began to break the game open in the third. Midway through the quarter, Ulm owned a 64-53 lead. Jeff Gibbs was outstanding at this point in the game scoring inside, rebounding on both ends and providing a monster shot block as he punched Brant Bailey's attempt off the sideline signboard. Konrad Wysocki's active cutting created opportunities against the physical Leverkusen defense. Romeo Travis and Jeff Gibbs got buckets with hardwork in the paint. But Leverkusen remained in striking distance cutting the lead to 7 with 2 minutes left in the third. With a strong finish to the quarter, Ulm added to their lead and took a 76-64 cushion into the fourth.
Ulm guard Sebastian Betz drives against Leverkusen's Brendan Winters Monday afternoon at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
Riding the momentum and with excellent contribution from the entire team, Ulm opened a run. Dru Joyce sent a beautiful lob pass to Sean Finn who hammered home a dunk behind the Leverkusen defense. Sebastian Betz banked in a three and everything fell into place for Ulm. Active team defense, tenacious rebounding, sharp offensive execution, Ulm clicked on their home court and the Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans loudly supported their favorite squad. With the game getting away, Leverkusen huddled in a timeout. But on Ulm's next possession, Dru Joyce buried a three opening up an 86-67 lead. With five minutes remaining, Ulm led 93-73 and the game was in hand. Veterans Jan Sprunken and Florian Mobius checked in to large ovations and when Sprunken drilled two three pointers to break the century mark, the Kuhberg faithful had much to cheer about. The only blemish on Ulm's win was Konrad Wysocki's late injury after a loose ball collision with Tyron McCoy along the right sideline in front of the Leverkusen bench. As Konrad cut to get open on the wing looking to receive an entry pass, McCoy read the play and ran the passing lane looking for the steal. Tyron poked loose the ball and bumped into Konrad in the play. Wysocki flew into the sponsorboard cutting and bruising his arm. While McCoy dribbled in free for the uncontested dunk, whistles and boos showered upon him. Wysocki left the game and all that remained was playing out the final seconds of the 105-87 Ulm win.
Ulm All Star Konrad Wysocki cuts to the ball as Beckham Wyrick defends Monday afternoon. Konrad scored 15 points with 6 rebounds on 5 of 8 shooting in the win.
The strong team performance was the exact remedy Ulm needed after the German Cup loss in double overtime at ALBA Berlin last Wednesday. Ulm put six players in double figures and outrebounded Leverkusen 45-38 in the win grabbing an impressive 20 offensive boards. Sharpshooter EJ Gallup led Ulm scoring with 19 points including a perfect 7 of 7 from the foul line and 4 of 9 from three. Sean Finn, Konrad Wysocki and Romeo Travis totaled 15 points apiece and Jeff Gibbs added a tough 14 point 12 rebound double double. Bryan Lucas chipped in 10 points and Dru Joyce 8 points 11 assists. Ulm shot 46% from the floor and made 13 of 34 threes while dishing out 19 assists. Brant Bailey was in top form for Leverkusen scoring 26 points with 7 boards while Brendan Winters drilled 5 of 9 threes to add 23 and 7 boards.
Ulm's fans provided their team a big spark in Monday's Holiday home win.
With strong support from the Ulm crowd, ratiopharm Ulm stretched their Bundesliga winning streak to three games and earned their 12th win of the season. Monday's special 3pm afternoon tip provided exciting athletic entertainment for the Easter and gave Ulm fans the chance to support their team on the National German Holiday.
Ulm's GM Thomas Stoll during a halftime interview with BBL.TV
Ulm's entertaining 'Feel-Good' victory over Leverkusen, helps the team forget about last weeks Cup loss and elimination from dreams of the Top 4. For ratiopharm Ulm, Easter Monday's Holiday win was good Medicine.
Ulm celebrated their strong performance with fans after the game.
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GO ULM!
MIKE T
