TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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FIRST WIN WEDNESDAY!
ratiopharm Ulm celebrated their first Bundesliga win Wednesday with a 91-77 home victory over Ewe Baskets Oldenburg behind a strong defense and fast offensive attack that excited a terrific mid-week Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd. Hungry for their 1st win of the season, Ulm jumped out to a 30-14 lead after one quarter as point guard Austen Rowland set the tempo triggering the running game which helped Jonathan Levy, Emeka Erege and Jeff Gibbs to strong starts. Levy topscored for Ulm with 24 points 6 rebounds while Jeff Gibbs added 14 points 9 boards and Captain Emeka Erege and Konrad Wysocki chipped in 12 points apiece. Other notable peformances came from Austen Rowland (11 points 9 assists) and Bryan Lucas with a team best 11 boards.
Ulm celebrates their 1st Bundesliga win with fans!
click here for Ulm v Oldenburg Photo Gallery!
After a heartbreaking season opening loss at Frankfurt followed by a strong effort in defeat against perennial power ALBA Berlin in Saturday's home opener, ratiopharm Ulm stayed positive, stayed together and stayed focused. The team knew their efforts were moving in the right direction and outstanding leadership from Captain Emeka Erege helped keep moral high. Working hard in practice and making progress on a daily basis is fantastic, but sometimes a team needs results to gain confidence --- Wednesday's win is a wonderful example of a team persistance and belief.
Captain Emeka Erege finishes 2 of his 12 important points
Levy and Gibbs keyed the strong Ulm first half, but both benefitted from a sharp Austen Rowland who intelligently distributed the basketball and sent the ball ahead to open teammates. Aiming for an uptempo attack, Rowland was excellent with decision making in transition (when to attack and when to reload) and also in organizing the Ulm offensive sets. After two solid games as a floor general, Rowland was in-form against Oldenburg.
An intense defense charged with energy recorded stops in the early going allowing Ulm to burst to a 13-4 lead. Keeping the engine running hot, Rowland found Levy in transition and Gibbs for a runout that led to a Desmond Penigar intentional foul from behind. As Ulm subbed into their rotation, Oldenburg attempted to comeback. Wing Dan Grunfeld found openings for offensive rebounds and active cuts as he registered buckets to spark his team. Excellent Oldenburg defensive pressure caused several turnovers slightly stalling the Ulm O, but the team soon recovered to take a 49-35 lead into the lockerroom. Ulm shot 57% from the floor, held Oldenburg to 39% shooting and outrebounded the guests 18-15 in the first 20 minutes.
Jeff Gibbs, scoring over Desmond Penigar, worked out for 14 points 9 boards.
Oldenburg opened the second half determined to trim the deficit. After an Erege bucket, the Ulm team suffered several soft turnovers. Meanwhile, hot-shooting Heiko Schaffartzik began to heat up. Heiko hit 3 of 6 three point attempts in the second half to lead the Oldenburg comeback. After two Levy turnovers, Oldenburg gained momentum and eventually cut the Ulm lead to 8.
Konrad Wysocki was key off the bench for 12 points and energy!
As action picked up in the third quarter, Oldenburg fast breaked right back at Ulm. Both teams pushed the pace in transition resulting in exciting end to end action. Strong finishes in the lane for Oldenburg and clutch perimeter shooting from big man Daniel Strauch inspired Oldenburg. A powerful two hand slam from Levy finished an Ulm break brining fans to their feet. With Oldenburg solving their defensive tactics, Ulm alertly switched to a different press falling back into their zones which stymied the visitors into a turnover and missed perimeter shot. These possessions allowed Ulm opportunity to rebuild their lead.
Austen Rowland set the tempo and added 11 points 9 assists
A big three from Konrad Wysocki regained momentum for Ulm and helped the team stabalize their attack. Excellent interior passing from Lucas and Erege allowed Ulm to get buckets and draw fouls down the stretch. Rowland effectively managed the game before being subbed out with the game in hand.
Bryan Lucas battled for a team best 11 boards
Ulm subbed out starters as fan favorites Florian Mobius, Christian Grosse and Jan Sprunken clocked some action. Like the team, forward Florian Mobius, the longest tenured player on the roster in his 5th season with the team, recorded his first two points in the Bundesliga with late free throws. As the final horn went off, fans, players and team could all celebrate the important step of the organizations first Bundesliga win.
Like his team, Florian Mobius got his 1st 2 Bundesliga points Wednesday night!
Jonthan Levy was excellent for Ulm topscoring with 24 points on 10 of 19 shooting while adding 6 rebounds in the win. Power forward Jeff Gibbs showed up strong with 14 points 9 boards and 2 blocks. Starting 3man Emeka Erege and backup 3 Konrad Wysocki each added 12 for outstanding production on the wing. Austen Rowland also cracked double figures with 11 points and an outstanding 9 assists. Maksym Shtein and Bryan Lucas added 6 points apiece with Lucas ripping down a team best 11 rebounds. As a team, Ulm shot 47% from the floor and 5 of 19 from three. The team hit 83% from the foul line (20-24) and outrebounded Oldenburg 38-32. Oldenburg's Dan Grunfeld topscored with 16 points 7 rebounds. Heiko Schaffartzik hit 4 threes on his way to 12 points while D'or Fischer pitched in 12 points mostly on mid-range jumpshooting. Desmond Penigar and Daniel Strauch added 11 each. Former Pitt point guard Carl Krauser struggled to 8 points on 2 of 12 shooting and Ajmal Basit produced 3 points 1 board in 15 minutes. Terry Black posted 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 4 points.
Click here for Ulm vs Oldenburg Game Day 3 Box Score
ratiophram Ulm returns to the practice court preparing for this weekends road trip to Cologne where they will meet German Champion Rheine Energie Koln. Playing in this seasons Euroleague, Koln is off to a 2-1 start in the Bundesliga and features a fantastic lineup including stars like Demond Mallet, Immanuel McElroy, Marcin Gortat and Marcus Faison. Ulm tips off their game in Cologne 5pm Sunday at Rheine Energie Dome.
Follow all the fastbreaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
