TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ONE BIG POINT!
Lee Humphrey free throw lifts Ulm to Exciting Win!
ratiopharm Ulm guard Lee Humphrey sank one free throw with 0.7 seconds on the clock lifting his team to an exciting 80-79 road win over Nordlingen before a sold-out Hermann-Kessler-Halle Saturday night. Capping a wild finish to an exciting game, Humphrey's free throw pushed Ulm to an 11-6 record as the Bundesliga enters the All Star Break. Sean Finn converted 10 of 13 shots to score 20 points while Romeo Travis added 20 points to share topscoring honors for Ulm who shot 58% from the floor in the win. Controlling play and taking a 63-54 lead into the final ten minutes, ratiopharm Ulm fought off a fierce Nordlingen rally in the fourth before the thrilling finish. With fantastic fan support and tremendous energy in the gym, Ulm and Nordlingen ushered in a 'new' Bundesliga rivalry --- and Saturday night, the difference was one big point.
ratiopharm Ulm sharpshooter Lee Humphrey sinks the game winning free throw with 0.7 seconds on the clock lifting his team to a thrilling 80-79 road win in Nordlingen.
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click here for Ulm @ Nordlingen Photo Gallery (Nordlingen)!
ratiopharm Ulm's Dru Joyce buries this first half three off post reaction as part of his excellent 14 point 7 assist peformance. Dru drilled 4 of 5 threes in the win.
For fans from ratiopharm Ulm, rivalries with Tubingen and Ludwigsburg have been established for years with many great games between the Baden-Wurtemburg based teams. While clear derby games have existed between Ulm, Tubingen and Ludwigsburg, ratiopharm Ulm's working relationship with Nordlingen has always been more of a cooperation. Seperated by about one hours drive, both teams have worked together on the youth levels and have many friends within each organization. Familiarity and friendship were set aside for Saturday nights game and basketball fans from the region anticipated the first meeting on the Bundesliga level. While most fans eargerly awaited the 'New Derby', no one could expect the fantastic game and thrilling finish in store at Hermann-Kesseler-Halle Saturday night.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn steps through pivoting in the lane for post position as Nordlingen's Josef Eichler defends. Sean used his size effectively hitting 10 of 13 shots for 20 points in the win.
Along with the exciting new rivalry between Ulm and Nordlingen, Saturday nights game became very important to both teams as the Bundesliga season played its final Game Day of the first half of the season. Both Ulm and Nordlingen aimed to finish the first half with momentum as the Bundesliga entered the All Star break in preparation for January 17th's All Star Day in Mannheim. For ratiopharm Ulm, the team was focused to bounce back from a sub-par offensive performance costing them Wednesday nights Paderborn game. For Nordlingen, the first year Bundesliga team looked to build on last weekends hardfought overtime road win in Bremerhaven and work their way into the playoff picture.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs scores in the lane against Nordlingen's Omari Westley. Jeff powered his way to a strong 14 point 7 rebound night in the win.
At tip off, Ulm opened the game with excellent focus. On the first possession, Ulm established the post to center Sean Finn. Reading the defense, which packed the paint and crowded the lane, Sean zipped a crisp post-reaction pass to an open Dru Joyce at the top of the key. Dru drilled the three and ignited a strong Ulm start. Without injured big men Brian Butch and Avi Kazarnovsky, Nordlingen game-planned with post front defenses and post doubles to crowd the lane and minimize their size disadvantage. But ratiopharm Ulm's offensive execution was sharp and the inside-out balance was better than Wednesday nights loss in Paderborn. Ulm's Sean Finn worked for excellent post position with crafty footwork in the paint while Jeff Gibbs powered his way to his opportunitites. Point guard Dru Joyce made several outstanding passes setting up teammates Sean Finn and Romeo Travis. Ulm pushed their lead to double figures and controlled the action. Extending the advantage to 13 points, Ulm finished the first quarter with a solid 28-16 lead.
ratiopharm Ulm small forward Romeo Travis sinks a smooth fadeaway over Nordlingen's Monta McGee as part of his 20 point performance in Saturday nights win.
With the shorthanded Nordlingen lineup, Ulm worked to use their bench effectively especially on hot-shooting two guard Osvaldo Jeanty. Ulm split time effectively between Lee Humphrey and Keith Triplett who both worked hard defensively against Jeanty who scored a Bundesliga season best total 39 points on 8 of 10 three point shooting last Sunday in Bremerhaven. Ulm would work 9 players in the first half rotation to the Nordlingen 7 as they attempted to use their depth effectively.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie PG Per Gunther calls the play in Saturday nights action.
Quarter two saw Nordlingen find their rhythm. Hardwork on the offensive boards from Monta McGee and Ty Shaw helped the hosts and energy plays from Nordlingen began to cut into the Ulm lead. Momentum began to swing as Nordlingen made a strong second quarter run. Ulm's Jeff Gibbs was whistled for a technical foul after reacting to a call under the Ulm basket that gave him his second foul. His third, the Ulm All Star was forced to the bench for the remainder of the half. Nordlingen's energy grew and when Monta McGee finished a late-shot clock layup, the home crowd was in full effect. Up 42-37, Ulm gained possession for the final shot of the first half. After a terrific first quarter, Ulm floor general Dru Joyce took control penetrating into the lane and banking in a first half buzzer beating floater that gave Ulm a 44-37 lead at the half.
ratiopharm Ulm's Dan Fitzgerald takes a pullup J as Nordlingen's Osvaldo Jeanty challenges Saturday night.
At the half, Ulm's 44-37 lead was a result of their excellent offensive work shooting 66% from the floor and 5 of 10 from three. Dru Joyce and Romeo Travis paced the offensive production with 14 points apiece and Sean Finn added 10. Although the teams offense was clicking, Nordlingen's hardwork and extra effort on the offensive boards helped them get into the game. Nordlingen outrebounded Ulm 14-11 in the first twenty minutes including 7 offensive boards. Offensively, Omari Westley and Monta McGee scored 14 points apiece. Interestingly, Nordlingen made only 4 of 9 free throws (44%) in the first half compared to one of one for Ulm.
Ulm's Dru Joyce drives the lane past Nordlingen's Danny Gibson on the last possession of the first half. Dru hit a floater off glass giving Ulm a 44-37 lead at intermission.
As the second half opened, Ulm built on their lead. Jeff Gibbs made several strong plays in the lane and Ulm's Romeo Travis was active on both ends. Five minutes into the quarter, Ulm held a 53-44 lead. Late in the third, depth became a factor. Ulm's bench gave the team solid minutes defensively as Keith Triplett came up with 3 steals and Sebastian Betz was active on D and on the boards. Dan Fitzgerald sank two second half threes keeping Ulm's cushion and Per Gunther led the Ulm attack over a critical late third quarter stretch as Dru Joyce took a breather. Dictating play, Ulm's lead grew to 63-54 at the end of three.
After playing well and controlling the action for three quarters, Ulm was focused to finish the game strong. But as they have all season long, Nordlingen played with tremendous heart and a no-quit attitude. Inspired by McGee and Westley, Nordlingen opened the 4th with an 8-4 run cutting Ulm's lead to 67-62 with five minutes to play. Moments later, Lee Humphrey scored his first basket of the game. With Romeo Travis pinned up against the left sideline against Nordlingen defensive pressure without a dribble, Lee flashed from the top of the key down the left laneline. Catching a pass from Travis, demonstrating a surprising facet of his game, Humphrey pivoted and muscled his way to a strong post finish in the paint. Lee's clutch basket put Ulm up 73-65. Seeing Humphrey score his first bucket late, Nordlingen point guard Danny Gibson decided it was time for his first points of the night. The competitive Nordlingen PG answered with a tough three pulling Nordlingen back within striking distance 73-68. Nordlingen's comeback effort on the floor was excellent and momentum grew putting the home fans into a frenzy.
Ulm's Sean Finn blocked 3 shots in Saturday nights win over Nordlingen.
As with any great rivalry, records and statistics do not matter. In great derby games filled with memorable moments, heart and intensity and competitiveness mean much more. For Ulm and Nordlingen, the last minutes of Saturday nights game were filled with memorable moments that laid the foundation for an exciting new Bundesliga rivalry.
A soldout Hermann-Kesseler-Halle was filled with energy for the 'New Derby'!
With focus and teamwork, ratiopharm Ulm put themselves in a position to seal the win. Leading 75-71, Ulm's Dru Joyce milked the clock to under one minute securely dribbling the ball at the top of the key. With the shot clock ticking down, Dru worked into the lane using a top of the key ballscreen. Drawing defenders, the Ulm floor general lobbed a pass up over Nordlingen defenders to a basket-hanging Sean Finn who hammered home the alley oop. But while Ulm was in excellent position to win, Nordlingen never quit. Out of a timeout, Osvaldo Jeanty buried a clutch three cutting the margin to 77-74 with 40 seconds to play. Ulm used their final timeout to advance the ball and organize their game plan. From the sideline inbound, Nordlingen fouled until they sent Romeo Travis to the line. Romeo stepped to the foul line and in the face of a loud and rowdy home crowd cooly sank two free throws giving Ulm a 79-74 lead. On the next Nordlingen possession, Ulm forced a miss but the hustling home team tracked down the rebound, reversed the basketball and Monta McGee sank a right wing three closing the gap to 79-77 with 14 seconds remaining. Out of timeouts, Ulm inbounded the ball to power forward Jeff Gibbs who pivoted and saw his point guard Dru Joyce cutting diagonally across the backcourt. The Ulm all star power forward attempted to zip a pass to his teammate but the ball was deflected. Bouncing away toward the sideline at halfcourt, Nordlingen's Ty Shaw raced after the loose ball and leaped out of bounds saving the basketball blindly over his head. Tracking the ball down with 9.9 second remaining, Nordlingen came up with the amazing steal. Danny Gibson drove frantically toward the basket as the game clock ticked down (it actually froze for a few seconds as the table thought Shaw was out of bounds). A collision occured between Ulm's Dru Joyce and Nordlingen's Gibson. Without a charge or block call, the wild action continued. Monta McGee took the ball and drove into the lane. Twisting and contorting, McGee used his lanky arms to finish a scoop shot in the lane to tie the game. The Hermann-Kesseler-Halle crowd went crazy. In disbelief at the scene, the Ulm team was momentarily stunned. As officials discussed the scene with the table, Ulm prepared for the final play. Fullcourt endline inbound situation with 4.4 seconds to play. After both teams got set, Ulm's Romeo Travis handled the throw in. With Nordlingen intelligently denying PG Dru Joyce with a backcourt double team, Ulm's Lee Humphrey flashed to the ball along the right sideline. Travis found his teammate once again. This time, Lee wheeled and sprinted up the right sideline hounded by a double team. Seeing the clock, Lee went into his shot along the right sideline in front of the Nordlingen bench. After riding him up the sideline effectively, Nordlingen's Osvaldo Jeanty reached in attempting to strip the basketball as Lee shot. A clear foul, officials awarded the Ulm sharpshooter with three free throws. The stunning developments brought anger and frustration from the Nordlingen fans and players. After minutes of discussion, Lee Humphrey stepped to the foul line with three free throws and 0.7 seconds on the clock. The sold out Nordlingen gym went crazy. Fans on their feet, Lee Humphrey had the chance to win the game for Ulm.
Ulm's Lee Humphrey toes the line after being fouled while Nordlingen's Osvaldo Jeanty expresses frustration with his foul.
Lee Humphrey gaining focus before making the most important free throw of the game.
Lee's first shot looked great. But it went in and out. With the miss, the Nordlingen crowd roared. Pressure grew. Ulm's bench was standing in support for their teammate. Ulm's fan block held their breath. Lee's second shot also looked good. But it also bounced out, this time to the left. Nordlingen fans went wild. Now giving their all to distract the free throw shooter, Lee faced the toughest of all the shots. Missing his first two attempts to win the game, the Ulm sharpshooter regained his focus and stepped to the line with determination. In a moment fit for a fantastic rivalry, in the face of a crowd going bonkers, Lee Humphrey sank the biggest point of the game making the game winning free throw lifting Ulm to the 80-79 road win.
ratiopharm Ulm fans celebrating the exciting 80-79 road win!
The Ulm team thanking their fans for the enthusiastic support!
In the win, ratiopharm Ulm shot 58% from the floor making 7 of 17 from three (41%) and 9 of 14 (64%) from the foul line. Sean Finn converted 10 of his 13 shots to score 20 points while Romeo Travis added 20 points of his own. Jeff Gibbs contributed 14 points 7 boards and Dru Joyce chipped in 14 points 7 assists including 4 of 5 from three point land. Lee Humphrey scored 3 points in the game but they were three of the most important points Ulm would score. Nordlingen's excellent effort was led by Monta McGee's 28 point 8 rebound performance, 24 points 9 rebounds from Omari Westley and 19 points from Osvaldo Jeanty. In the hardfought loss, Nordlingen shot 45% from the floor, made 11 of 26 threes (42%) and 12 of 18 from the foul line (67%). A key to their success, Nordlingen outrebounded Ulm 32-25 including 15 offensive rebounds in the game. Earning their 11th victory of the season with exciting style, ratiopharm Ulm enters the Bundesliga All Star break at 11-6 as they look ahead to their next game Saturday January 24th against brose Baskets Bamberg at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Celebrating the exciting victory with fans after the game, Ulm's win over Nordlingen turned into the rivalry everyone hoped for. And on Saturday night, the difference between this new Bundesliga derby was one big point. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
