TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
87 
77
Leverkusen Overtakes Ulm in 4th
ratiopharm Ulm controlled play for nearly three quarters on the road Sunday at historical Wilhelm-Dopatka-Halle, but an experienced Bayer Leverkusen team overtook their guests down the stretch in an 87-77 Bundesliga Game Day 8 contest. Ulm's EJ Gallup sparked his teams offensive attack with 5 of 8 three point shooting in the first half helping Ulm overcome foul trouble to both Jeff Gibbs and Konrad Wysocki in holing a 45-40 halftime lead. During the third quarter, Ulm built a 14 point advantage on the strength of Wysocki and Bryan Lucas before a late third Leverkusen run. Veterans Tyron McCoy and Nate Fox along with Brendan Winters were clutch for their team at this time. With the game in the balance, Jeff Gibbs fouled out at the 2:57 mark and Leverkusen marched toward the win.
Ulm's EJ Gallup was on fire in Sundays first half sinking 5 of 8 threes. EJ finished with 17 points in the game.
Click here for Leverkusen Photo Gallery
Building up to Sunday's game, Ulm prepared to face a strong Leverkusen team winners of 3 of their last 4 before losing to rival Telekom Bonn on the road last weekend. Leverkusen entered their game against Ulm unbeaten at home while Ulm was searching for their first road win of the season. Adding interest to the action was the opening of the German tradition of Karnival on November 11th. In honor of the tradition, several fans showed up to the game wearing costumes and a marching band played during warmups. And if the offensive matchup unfolded anything like last season, Sundays action would add to the excitement around the start of Karnival in Leverkusen.
The center of Leverkusen's defensive attention, Ulm's Jeff Gibbs competed intensely before fouling out.
Focused and determined, ratiopharm Ulm opened the action with strentgh. Playing beneath the league best 14 Bundesliga championship banners from the fantastic tradition of the Leverkusen team, Ulm executed well and opened an early lead. While Bryan Lucas finished inside, EJ Gallup heated up outside. The Ulm sharpshooter drilled 5 of 8 threes in the first half sparking Ulm's offense. Ulm's Jeff Gibbs was whistled for two early fouls but the Ulm bench did a fantastic job filling in for the teams All Star power forward. Ulm's strong opening quarter was a well balanced team effort resulting in a 24-15 lead after one.
Ulm post man Bryan Lucas powers to two points in the lane Sunday at Leverkusen. Bryan led Ulm with 18 points and 5 boards in the game.
Quarter two introduced more foul trouble to the Ulmers. Along with Jeff Gibbs, Kornad Wysocki was saddled with a second foul. In these crucial minutes, 7 foot center Sean Finn and reliable post sub Florian Mobius responded with solid minutes for their team. Finn scored 4 points, defended well, blocked a shot and grabbed 3 rebounds in his minutes while Mobius sank a top of the key three and played with defensive energy --- their efforts kept the Ulm team rolling while key players Gibbs and Wysocki were on the bench. During the second quarter, Leverkusen found a better rhythm into the game and changed defenses midway through the second into a 3-2 zone. For Leverkusen, shooting big man Nate Fox made several big baskets on his way to 11 first half points while marksman Brendan Winters added 11 points of his own including key plays during the hosts 2nd quarter run. With 22 seconds remaining in the first half, Leverkusen's McCoy drew a foul which sent him to the line for two shots. After an Ulm timeout, the veteran McCoy cooly sank both pulling Leverkusen within 3, 43-40. Ulm advanced the ball and PG Kyle Bailey milked the clock. Surprisingly, Leverkusen Head Coach Achim Kuczmann employed a zone defense to prevent Ulm from running their play. Intelligently, Bailey responded by driving the gap and getting into the lane where he skillfully finished a midlane runner at the first half buzzer sending Ulm into the lockerroom up 45-40.
Ulm's Konrad Wysocki finishes two points in the paint against Leverkusen. Konrad was strong in the third quarter for Ulm sparking a run.
At the half, ratiopharm Ulm felt good about their position. The team had shot 55% from the floor going 17 for 31 including a money 8 for 17 from three (47%). Although Ulm shot well, they converted only 3 of 9 free throws and were outrebounded 22-19 in the first 20 minutes. In the big picture, Ulm was pleased with the bench performance and quality contributions from role players while they managed the first half foul trouble. Most important, the team was ready to compete and earn their first road win.
Ulm PG Kyle Bailey penetrates baseline against Leverkusen big man Nate Fox.
And opening the second half, it was ratiopharm Ulm who stormed ahead. After handling his foul trouble, Konrad Wysocki exploded into the action in the third scoring several big baskets in the lane and from cuts. Big man Bryan Lucas also scored well inside and Ulm used a technical foul against Nate Fox to power an early second half run. Sebastian Betz gave his team another lift with back to back threes as Ulms lead swelled to 14 at 54-40 with 7 minutes remaining in the thid. At this point the veteran Leverkusen team did not panic. An excellent offensive team, they knew alot of basketball remained and out of a timeout, it was once again Tyron McCoy who made the difference. Running off screens and drilling shots, McCoy opened an 8-0 run for Leverkusen which brought them back into the game. By the end of the third, Ulm's large lead was trimmed to 5 at 66-61.
Ulm C Sean Finn defends Leverkusen post Rans Brempong.
The difference in approach became clear in the final ten minutes. Rather than maintain their attacking offensive mindset, the Ulm team became cautious playing more "not to lose" while Leverkusen "played to win". Guarding their lead, Ulm's tempo slowed and the sharp execution faded. Immediately into the fourth, Jeff Gibbs and Bryan Lucas extended Ulm'd lead to 70-61 with back to back baskets. At this point, the experience of Leverkusen became a factor. The hosts ran to an 11-0 run as they overtook the lead midway through the fourth quarter 72-70. For the next two minutes, the game remained in the balance and both teams had opportunities to swing it their way. Ulm pulled to within one at 74-73 but then the plug was pulled. With 2:57 left, Jeff Gibbs was called for his fifth foul as he attempted to beat a down screen away from the ball. The crucial call sent Gibbs to the bench fouled out and gave Leverkusen the momentum. Unfortunately for Ulm, their offense reverted to one on one situations and came up empty on several key possessions. With under one minute remaining, Ulm sent Leverkusen to the foul line on 2 possessions to play the fouling game but the hosts made their shots count. With no way back, Ulm saw Leverkusen extend the lead. The games final action saw Rans Brempong run out all alone and take a ball ahead pass behind the Ulm defense. Frustrated, Bryan Lucas trailed and fouled Brempong from behind. Lucas' competitive instinct got the better of him in the heat of the moment. Immediately whistled as an unsportsmanlike foul, Leverkusen took exception to the play which was dangerous. Tyron McCoy ran into Lucas and pushed him drawing a technical foul as several players from both teams discussed the situation. Officials moved in and quickly restored order. Lucas subbed out with 4 seconds left. Interestingly, those two Kyle Bailey free throws were the only two Ulm free throws of the fourth quarter while the hosts Leverkusen shot 18. Ulm's excellent effort unraveled down the stretch as Leverkusen outscored them 26-11 in the fourth sending ratiopharm Ulm to 3-4 on the season.
Ulm's Sebastian Betz drives using a Bryan Lucas ballscreen in the second half. Basti buried back to back three pointers in a strong third quarter performance.
At the end of the 87-77 contest, Ulm had shot 46% from the floor to Leverkusen's 44% and hit 10 of 25 from three (40%) to Bayer's 8 of 24 (33%). Leverkusen outrebounded Ulm 43-35 and enjoyed their advantage from the foul line making 19 of 30 (63%) while Ulm sank 11 of 20 (55%). Bryan Lucas led the Ulm attack with 18 points and 5 rebounds while EJ Gallup added 17 points with fine outside shooting. Konrad Wysocki played a strong second half after overcoming foul problems in the first to add 11 points and a team best 9 rebounds. Kyle Bailey chipped in 8 points 5 assists and Jeff Gibbs went for 8 points 7 boards. Nate Fox topscored for Leverkusen with 19 points 10 rebounds while both Tyron McCoy and Brendan Winters scored 18 points apiece. Rans Brempong produced 12 points 14 rebounds and Zack Whiting 11 points 5 assists for Leverkusen who upped their record to 5-3.
Ulm's Dru Joyce defends Leverkusens Gordon Geib in Sundays action.
Taking the positives from the game, Ulm's strong team performance through three quarters included excellent execution on both ends of the floor and quality contributions from both starters and the bench. The missing ingredient was simply experience. Together, Ulm will learn from their mistakes Sunday in Leverkusen and bounce back as a better team. Returning to the practice floor Tuesday, the squad will work to make the next steps in their development as they look ahead to Saturdays home game against TBB Trier at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Head Coach Mike Taylor had plenty of positive to talk about after Sundays game. Despite the loss, Ulm will learn from their mistakes and bounce back a better team.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
