TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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COMEBACK COMES UP SHORT!
ULM FALLS FOR FIRST TIME OF SEASON IN OLDENBURG!
ratiopharm Ulm trailed by 16 points in the third quarter of Saturday nights road game at Ewe Arena against Ewe Baskets Oldenburg. A powerful third quarter push from the Thunderbirds gave the home team momentum and the double-digit lead. But Ulm had been there before. Last season, the team trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter before staging an amazing comeback and miracle win capped by Emeka Erege's halfcourt shot. Rallying around their belief, ratiopharm Ulm stormed back in an exciting fourth quarter comeback to even the game at 74 with 46 seconds to play. Oldenburg's star point guard Jason Gardner made the difference with a skillful three point play and two clutch free throws to seal the Thunderbirds exciting 80-75 win. Despite suffering their first loss of the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season, the hardworking ratiopharm Ulm team takes pride in their excellent effort and many positives from their strong performance.
ratiopharm Ulm's Romeo Travis attacks the basket against Oldenburg's Rickey Paulding and Ruben Boumtje Boumtje (44) in Saturday nights action. Romeo gave excellent effort for Ulm on both ends of the floor in finishing with 11 points 4 rebounds.
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Ulm's Keith Triplett defends Oldenburg guard Je'kel Foster in the second half of Saturday nights game.
One of the top teams in the second half of last season, Ewe Baskets Oldenburg marched to an impressive 10 game winning streak through the middle of last season. After advancing to the Bundesliga semifinals where they lost to ALBA Berlin, excitement for the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season grew in Oldenburg. Keeping a strong core of their team together, Head coach Predrag Krunic and his squad added several key new talents and also anticipated the challenges of international play this season. Despite their 2-2 early season start, Ewe Baskets Oldenburg can be considered to be one of the top teams in the Bundesliga.
Ulm's Sean Finn was fantastic Saturday night powering his way to a 21 point 6 rebound 2 block performance. Sean inspired his teammates with two terrific dunks and his strong post defense.
The challenge for ratiopharm Ulm was clear --- winning in Oldenburg required a complete game. Ulm entered Saturdays game at Ewe Arena with a perfect 4-0 mark and with Bundesliga powerhouse ALBA Berlin losing Wedneday night at Porsche Arena in Stuttgart to EnBW Ludwigsburg, Ulm traveled to Oldenburg as 'Tabellenfuhrer'. With memories of Emeka Erege's miracle halfcourt buzzer beating game winner in mind, Saturdays matchup seemed to be between two hungry teams on collision course. Oldenburg packed Ewe Arena and the Thunderbird fans brought an excellent energy level to the game.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star Jeff Gibbs was relentless Saturday night against Oldenburg posting 11 points 9 boards 4 assists.
At tip off, a focused ratiopharm Ulm team went right to work. On the teams first possession, ball movement found Sean Finn slicing down the right lane line. The ever-improving big man hammered home a powerful dunk over Milan Majstorovic immediately bringing enthusiasm from teammates on the Ulm bench. The dunk ignited a 6-0 Ulm run before Oldenburg could put points on the board. Five minutes into the game, ratiopharm Ulm held an 11-4 lead. Finn and Gibbs powered their way to points in the paint and Romeo Travis was active on the boards for a tip in. Working into the rotation, Ulm's bench kept the strong first quarter going and continued with the teams excellent defensive effort. At the end of the first quarter, ratiopharm Ulm led 17-13 over the talented Oldenburg team.
Ulm's Keith Triplett attacks a gap between Oldenburg defenders Jasmin Perkovic (12) and Marco Scekic in Saturday nights game. Triplett was once again a major factor in the action with his excellent defensive effort.
Quarter two saw Oldenburg begin to find their rhythm. Transition opportunities helped the Thunderbirds take their first lead 21-19 with 6 minutes remaining in the first half. The intensity in the game grew. The terrific Oldenburg perimeter of Jason Gardner, Je'kel Foster and Rickey Paulding sparked the hosts with big plays. Moments later, the score was even again at 25. Ulm point guard Dru Joyce went down along the right sideline in front of the Oldenburg bench and left the floor with an ankle injury. Going back to the lockerroom with team physio Andi Lacher, Dru missed the remainder of the first half. Rookie PG Per Gunther subbed in and led the team for the remaining 4 plus minutes. The 20 year old rookie competed extremely well against the talented and experienced All Star Jason Gardner. But Ulm's offense came up empty and several more transition baskets pushed the Thunderbirds ahead. Oldenburg's strong finish to the second quarter gave them a 36-31 lead heading into the halftime lockerroom.
Ulm shooting guard Lee Humphrey plays strong in a double team as looks for an open teammate Saturday night at Ewe Arena in Oldenburg. Thunderbird defenders hounded Humphrey all evening in their strong defensive effort.
At the half, Ulm could feel good about their performance. With an emphasis on improved transition defense, better blockouts for long rebounds and stronger cuts and screens against the physical Oldenburg defense, Ulm players were prepared for a 40 minute game and were prepared to compete.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther challenges Oldenburg playmaker Jason Gardner Saturday night. Per gave his team solid minutes against the talented and experienced Gardner.
As the second half started, ratiopharm Ulm adjusted their defensive game plan to include their presses and zones. Oldenburg began to get a rhythm against the Ulm man to man defense and the tempo of the game picked up. Thunderbird perimeter shooters sank shots in succession as Je'kel Foster drilled a tough contested corner J and Miladin Pekovic hit an open three. After 5 minutes of third quarter action, Oldenburg built a 52-36 lead. The 16 point margin had Ulm on the ropes. Needing a spark, ratiopharm Ulm turned to sharpshooting forward Dan Fitzgerald. The rookie from Marquette caught fire to finish the third quarter with three straight big threes. Fitzgerald's clutch three point shots helped Ulm brave the momentum and stay within striking distance. At the end of the third quarter, Dan's big shots helped make up for Ulm's defensive let-down. Oldenburg outscored Ulm 28-20 in the third and took a 64-51 lead into the final ten minutes.
Ulm's Sebastian Betz shows good form on this leaner in the lane Saturday night.
With positive memory of last seasons comeback on their mind, ratiopharm Ulm knew the opening minutes of the fourth quarter were critical. Ulm trimmed the deficit to 10 with just over 8 minutes remaining and while Oldenburg set up for an endline inbound, Ulm called for timeout. Rallying together with plenty of time left, Ulm players returned to the floor focused to make their run. Forward Romeo Travis started the surge with an outstanding one on one shot block defending Rickey Paulding on a post up off the endline inbound. The Ulm attack was on. Sean Finn continued his outstanding game with several key baskets. The score was 68-61 and the Ulm defense stepped up. Romeo Travis finished a put back in traffic in the lane and Jeff Gibbs hit free throws. Ulm pulled within a basket at 68-66 with 4 minutes to play. Oldenburg nerves grew as memories of last seasons events lingered. Ulm players confidently pushed forward.
Ulm's Michael Schroeder works in the paint against Odlenburg center Ruben Boumtje Boumtje. Schroeder scored with a strong post move on the play.
The exciting early season game became intense situational basketball. ratiopharm Ulm and Ewe Baskets Oldenburg played possession for possession and point for point for the last few minutes. Ulm held a brief 72-71 lead with 1:58 left. Oldenburg big men Ruben Boumtje Boumtje and Jasmin Perkovic fouled out late in the action. With both teams focused and executing, excitement and anticipation filled Ewe Arena. Ulm's Sean Finn shot two knuckleball free throws that died on the rim and dropped in evening the score at 74-74 with 46 seconds to go. On the ensuing Oldenburg possession, point guard Jason Gardner split a ballscreen at the top of the key slicing into the Ulm paint. As Gardner skillfully banked in a runner off glass, officials whistled an Ulm foul sending the clutch playmaker to the line. Out of timeouts, Ulm communicated their next offense as players lined up for Gardner's crunch time foul shot attempt. The former Arizona Wildcat and Bundesliga All Star cooly sank the free throw giving him a three point play and his Thunderbirds a 77-74 lead. With a chance to score, Dru Joyce advanced the basketball up the left sideline and eventually found a cutting Dan Fitzgerald looking to free himself for a three point attempt. Well-defended by Oldenburg, Dan's clear look was snuffed out. As he pivoted to find an open teammate, Dan's pass was just out of reach to a teammate and the ball bounced into open floor space. A race for the loose ball was won by the Wildcat quick Gardner and as Lee Humphrey intelligently fouled to send him to the free throw line and extend the game, officials whistled the Ulm sharpshooter for an intentional foul. Clearly an attempt to send Gardner to the line in the end of the game while making a play on the ball, the intentional foul call gave Gardner two free throws but also gave Oldenburg the ball back. Gardner sank two more free throws giving him five straight points to seal the exciting 80-75 home win for Oldenburg.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald hustles after a rebound in Saturday nights game against Oldenburg. Fitzgerald caught fire in the third quarter drilling three big three point shots helping keep Ulm within striking distance for a comeback.
The first loss of the season for ratiopharm Ulm, Saturday's game saw Oldenburg capitalize on their opportunities of important possessions as Ulm's excellent fourth quarter comeback fell just short. Center Sean Finn was in top form topscoring with a terrific 21 point 6 rebound 2 block performance. Jeff Gibbs was also solid scoring 11 points with 9 rebounds 4 assists against a physical Oldenburg team defense. Romeo Travis and Dan Fitzgerald also added 11 points 4 rebounds apiece with Fitzgerald helping Ulm stay within striking distance with a perfect three for three from three point land. Dru Joyce chipped in 8 points 4 assists showing toughness and heart returning from his second quarter ankle injury. As a team, Ulm shot 47% from the floor, made 4 of 13 threes (30%) and sank 17 of 28 (60%) from the foul line. Ulm also outrebounded Oldenburg 37-34 in the game. Jason Gardner led the Oldenburg attack with an excellent 21 point 7 rebound 5 assist night. Rickey Paulding added 16 points 4 rebounds and Je'kel Foster 13 points in the win. Oldenburg hit 50% of their shots, 8 of 24 from three (33%) and 14 for 26 (53%) from the foul line. Ulm slipped to 4-1 while Oldenburg improved to 3-2.
ratiopharm Ulm looks ahead to their next game, another challenging road trip to the north next Sunday October 26th as they travel to Quakenbruck Germany for a meeting with the always strong Artland Dragons. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
