TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
89
88 (OT)
TREMENDOUS TIP-OFF!!
ULM UPSETS LUDWIGSBURG IN HOME OPENER!
In an instant classic game that scripted the next chapter of the traditional regional rivalry with an exclamaition point, ratiopharm Ulm upset Baden Wurttenburg neighbor EnBW Ludwigsburg 89-88 in an exciting back and forth overtime game that was up in the air until the final buzzer. Trailing by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, Ulm stormed back before Kyle Bailey's clutch shot with 4.5 seconds left tied the game at 79 sending action to overtime. In the extra session, Bryan Lucas started scoring with a money three pointer before finishing the game with a wheeling left hand post move in the paint with less than ten seconds to play. An exhilarating way to open the 2007-2008 Bundesliga basketball season at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, Friday nights fantastic finish was truly a tremendous tip-off!
Ulm post man Bryan Lucas leans and finishes the games deciding basket with his left hand with less than 10 seconds remaining in Overtime. Bryan led Ulm with a tremendous 24 point 7 rebound performance.
As the teams went through pregame warmups and the packed crowd filed into Sportszentrum Kuhberg for ratiopharm Ulm's home debut, electricty filled the air because this 2007-2008 season opener was more than simply a game --- it was a Baden Wurtemburg derby. Ulm and Ludwigsburg spilt games last season with both teams protecting their homecourt, but the powerful Ludwigsburg team Knocked Ulm out of the German Cup as part of their special season filled with success. Although the team lost several key players, Ludwigsburg reloaded their lineup with a talented and athletic team as they prepare for both Bundesliga and ULEB Cup competition this season. Clearly at first glance, Ulm fans knew their team had their hands full.
But EJ Gallup buried the games first basket on a left wing three pointer and Ulm quickly jumped to a 5-2 lead. Early in the action, Ludwigsburg big man Michel Nascimento went down with an apparent knee injury and was helped off the floor. After a delay, the game was back on. Unfortunately, Ulm's transition defense took a while to get warmed up and adjust to the extreme speed of their guests from Ludwigsburg. After several empty offensive possessions, Ulm found themselves a step behind Ludwigsburg both on the floor and on the scoreboard. After an Ulm timeout, Jeff Gibbs and Bryan Lucas sparked a small comeback to the delight of the Kuhberg crowd. After one quarter, Ludwigsburg led 27-26.
Ulm PG Kyle Bailey made several big shots on his way to 21 points in Fridays win, none bigger than his pull up jumper that sent the game to overtime tied at 79.
Ludwigsburgs depth and perimeter accuracy made the difference in quarter two. While Ulm aggressively worked to improve their defense, terrific three point shooting from captain Nils Mittmann and Ed Norvell helpd Ludwigsburg build a lead. Defensive breakdowns allowed wide open looks for Ludwigsburg which they turned into 8-17 accuracy in the first half. While Ludwigsburg earned their advantage, Ulm failed to help themselves in the first half by making only 8 of 16 from the foul line and allowing Ludwigsburg to shoot 55% from the floor. Outscored 25-17 in the second quarter, Ulm trailed 52-43 at the half and needed to stabalize their defense while refocus their offense.
Ulm power forward Jeff Gibbs powered his way to an 11 point 12 rebound double double in the exciting win over Ludwigsburg.
But as play began in the third quarter, Ulm fell victim to several breakdowns and Ludwigsburg quickly capitalized to extend their lead to 13, 58-45 just two minutes into the second half. On the verge of being blownout, an Ulm timeout settled and refocused the team. Behind 10 straight points from Bryan Lucas and big baskets from both Kyle Bailey and Konrad Wysocki, Ulm outscored Ludwigsburg 19-12 for the remainder of the quarter. Matching up with the small and athletic Ludwigsburg lineup, Ulm received excellent contributions from guards Kyle Bailey and Dru Joyce in the third. Ulm's team defense also elevated itself. At the end of three, Ulm had worked their way back and cut the deficit to 70-64.
Energizing forward Konrad Wysocki was excellent producing a 14 point 12 rebound double double in Ulm's big win!
With an entire quarter remaining, focused to bring their best effort together, Ulm returned to the floor with several backups logging minutes as starters rested. But inspired by rookie point guard Dru Joyce's competitiveness, Ulm made their move. Joyce dribbled behind a wing ball screen, created space and buried a deep left wing three sending electricity through Sportszentrum Kuhberg and cutting the deficit in half to 70-67. With the crowd roaring in support, Ulm defense stiffened and the run continued. Minutes later, it was Joyce again helping Ulm get over the hump by sinking two clutch free throws giving Ulm a 72-71 lead, their first since early action in the first quarter.
Rookie PG Dru Joyce gave Ulm a big boost with 11 points from the bench including a momentum building three to start the fourth quarter and two clutch free throws giving Ulm a 72-71 lead late in regulation.
Foul trouble began to impact both teams as a handful of players picked up their fourth fouls down the stretch. Eventually, adding to the drama step by step, Chad Prewitt, Nils Mittmann and Jason Dourisseau would all foul out for Ludwigsburg and Konrad Wysocki for Ulm. Anybodys ball game with over 6 minutes remaining, ratiopharm Ulm held momentum. But the talented and deep Ludwigsburg team was not phased. Big man Coleman Collins cooly converted two clutch free throws to retaliate regaining the lead for Ludwigsburg at 73-72. Jeff Gibbs and Bryan Lucas combined to make 2 of 4 free throws on consecutive possessions as Ulm responded to reclaim a 74-73 lead. Brandon Woudstra was fouled after a shot giving him two free throws which he drilled putting Ludwigsburg back up 75-74. As the clock continued to tick down, Ulm's Konrad Wysocki made one of two free throws and the score was cemented at 75.
Ulm shooting guard EJ Gallup going head to head against Ludwigsburgs sharpshooting Brandon Woudstra.
With under 2 minutes to play, lightning quick Ludwigsburg point guard Ronald Ross banked in an athletic drive giving the guests a two point lead. After a Jeff Gibbs basket, Michel Nascimento sank two clutch free throws with 19 seconds to play giving Ludwigsburg a 79-77 lead. An Ulm timeout allowed the team to organize their money possession. Out of the timeout, intense Ludwigsburg defense denied Ulm's first option and with time winding down, Ulm point guard Kyle Bailey created with the dribble to get a shot up. Bailey's clutch basket from the right wing knotted the score at 79 with 4.5 seconds to play. This time, it was Ludwigsburgs turn for a timeout. With two superfast playmakers in Ronald Ross and Ed Norvell, the visitors had plenty of options. Despite lining up away, it was Ross who cut back to receive the inbound pass. In a burst, he exploded toward the basket as the crowd stood in anticipation. Ross's runner bounded hard off the glass and was secured by Ulm all star Jeff Gibbs who threw the ball down the other end as the buzzer sounded. With 0:00 on the clock, and both teams totaling 79, the Sportszentrum Kuhberg said Overtime!
Friday's game featured outstanding effort from both teams!
To open a new season with a rivalry is one thing, but to be treated to two teams giving everything they have forced into an overtime to determine a winner is an entirely different level. ratiopharm Ulm's season opener at Sportszentrum Kuhberg Friday tipped off with a special game. As both teams returned to the floor for the five minute overtime, Ulm seemed to feel momentum from simply still being alive. When Bryan Lucas buried a top of the key three pointer off ball reversal to open overtime scoring, the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd errupted with joy. Fighting back with heart, Ludwigsburg answered with a clutch basket from Ed Norvell cutting the Ulm lead to 82-81. Konrad Wysocki added two points which were answered by a Ronald Ross runner setting the score at 84-83. Moments later, dribbling off a left elbow ballscreen, Kyle Bailey came up big again burying a money three pointer putting Ulm up 4, 87-83. Ludwigsburg huddled in a timeout as the Ulm crowd celebrated. But with tremendous determination, Ludwigsburgs Brandon Woudstra drove strong to the basket and finished a beautiful AND 1 three point play. Instantly at 87-86 it was anyones ball game again with just over a minute to play. With pressure to execute, Ulm came up empty on the next possession and Ludwigsburg capitalized. Yet again, Ed Norvell came up huge for his team with a big basket giving Ludwigsburg an 88-87 lead with 16 seconds to play. Ulm burned their last timeout organizing their final possession. As the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd stood in suspense, Ulm executed their play and got what they wanted --- Bryan Lucas on the block. With cool composure, Lucas read the floor, felt the defender and worked middle. Swooping into the lane, Lucas leaned past his Ludwigsburg defenders and finished a game deciding left hand post move in the paint sending Ulm ahead 89-88 and sending the Kuhberg crowd into a frenzy! Ludwigsburg's last possession saw a long three attempt from Coleman Collins miss and a rebound mid-range J from Norvell sail toward the rim as the buzzer sounded. When the ball rimmed out, ratiopharm Ulm's hardfought comeback upset win was complete. Bryan Lucas was outstanding for Ulm topscoring with 24 points and 7 rebounds on 8 of 10 shooting including 2 of 3 from beyond the arc. Kyle Bailey was also excellent adding 21 points with 6 rebounds to the Ulm attack. Both Konrad Wysocki (14 points and 12 rebounds) and Jeff Gibbs (11 points 12 rebounds) produced hard earned double doubles for Ulm and Dru Joyce added an important 11 points off the bench. As a team, Ulm shot 49% from the floor and 8 for 28 from three. Ulm outrebounded Ludwigsburg 46 to 36 but committed 19 turnovers and made only 21 of 35 free throws (60%). Brandon Woudstra topscored for Ludwigsburg with 20 points 6 rebounds 3 assists and Ronald Ross added 19 points 4 boards in support. Chad Prewitt chipped in 12 points and Ed Norvell scored 9 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
With tremendous respect for the entire Ludwigsburg organization, ratiopharm Ulm took tremendous pride in defending their homecourt against such a terrific team. Without question, Ludwigsburg will enjoy a great season filled with more success both in the Bundesliga and in the ULEB Cup. Clearly, Ludwigsburg will be ready when Ulm visits Rundsporthalle later in the season, but games like Fridays home opener at Sportszentrum Kuhberg add to the fantastic basketball tradition between two rivals.
ratiopharm Ulm thanks the Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans for their fantastic support in the home opening upset win!
Evening their record at 1-1, ratiopharm Ulm looks ahead to a Sunday evening matchup against the powerful Artland Dragons in a 5pm tip at Artland Arena. The Dragons advanced to both the German Cup Finals and the Bundesliga Championship series last season. Ulm aims to pack some momentum from Fridays fantastic finish with them on their road trip north! Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
