TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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MIRACLE AT OLDENBURG!
Down two points, with 7 seconds remaining, without the basketball and no team fouls, ratiopharm Ulm had almost no chance to pull out their second road win of the season and fourth consecutive win --- one could say they needed a "Miracle". As the stunning seven seconds played out, Ulm captain Emeka Erege banked in a half-court buzzer-beater to deliver a miraculous 73-72 victory Sunday night at Ewe Arena. Overjoyed with emotion, Ulm celebrated their captains magic touch with pure excitement as a silent, shocked crowd looked on. After trailing by as many as 16 points, Emeka's heroics capped a tremendous comeback in which ratiopharm Ulm outscored the Thunderbirds 24-9 in the fourth quarter. A moment for a lifetime, Emeka Erege's shot will be remembered as Ulm's "Miracle at Oldenburg!"
ratiopharm Ulm celebrates Emeka Erege's amazing game winning halfcourt buzzer beater three!
Entering Sundays tip off, ratiopharm Ulm took the floor with a three game winning streak while Oldenburg aimed to break their two game skid. Losing to two tough opponents in ALBA and Koln, the Thunderbirds were determined to protect their homecourt against Ulm. No one could expect the dramatic events later in the evening.
In the opening minutes, it was a focused Ulm team who took the lead early. An EJ Gallup three pointer and power moves from Jeff Gibbs and Bryan Lucas led the charge. Jason Gardner and Rickey Paulding answered for Oldenburg. The battle of playing style between the two teams became intriguing. Ulm worked for post touches on the offensive end and their offense was extremely productive. After one quarter, Ulm held a positive 20-16 advantage. Quarter two continued the Ulm assult as Kyle Bailey attacked in transition and created positive plays for Ulm. EJ Gallup buried three first half threes sparking the Ulm offense. Midway through quarter two, Ulm extended their lead to 34-24 and effectively capitalized on several Oldenburg turnovers or missed layups. After an Oldenburg timeout, the hosts sharpened up their attack and finished the first half on an 11-2 surge. During this phase, ratiopharm Ulm was not efficient on the offensive end settling for forced shots against the shot clock which led to several easy transition baskets for the Thunderbirds. Despite the Oldenburg run, Ulm managed to maintain their lead into the lockerroom 36-35 at the break.
Ulm's Konrad Wysocki and Kyle Bailey were a big part of Sundays amazing comeback win!
At halftime, both teams could feel good about their position. Ulm started strong and demonstrated an ability to execute like they planned while Oldenburg answered with a powerful push at the end of the half. Ulm shot 48% from the floor and limited Oldenburg to 40% in the first 20 minutes. Led by Jeff Gibbs' workmanlike effort on the boards, Ulm also outrebounded Oldenburg 18-16 in the first half.
Jeff Gibbs grabbed 15 rebounds in the game. Here he rips the ball from Oldenburg's Jasmin Perkovic.
But immediately opening the third quarter, Oldenburg picked Ulm apart and broke the game open. Jason Gardner made several outstanding plays including a slicing drive and finish just before burying a three. Rickey Paulding continued his excellent offensive game with a nice mid-range game and Ulm struggled to defend the Thunderbird actions. Ulm remained within striking distance facing the wave of Oldenburg momentum, but moments later, a scare would strike Ulm. After making a strong power move baseline, Jeff Gibbs jumped to finish beneath the rim --- and as action returned the other direction all eyes saw Jeff laying on the baseline writhing in pain beneath the backboard. Oldenburg scored a transition basket before officials stopped the play and Ulm trainer Andi Lacher darted onto the floor. The sight seemed to mean Jeff's day was done. Helped to the lockerroom, losing Gibbs seemed to take the wind from Ulm's wings. Although the team continued to work, Oldenburg capitalized on Jeff's absence. Like a punch-drunk boxer, Ulm was on the ropes. Oldenburg built a 58-43 lead and held momentum. But ratiopharm Ulm kept playing. In the final minutes of the third, EJ Gallup buried a deep transition three and Dru Joyce finished a smooth driving layup pulling the guests closer at 63-49 after three.
As Jeff Gibbs limped off the floor with an injured ankle in the third quarter, Oldenburg rallied and ran to a 15 point lead. When Gibbs returned for the fourth, Ulm outscored the Thunderbirds 24-9.
Outscored 28-13 in the third, attempting to get themselves back in the game, ratiopharm Ulm received a big boost when Jeff Gibbs showed up in the huddle ready to check back into the game. Jeff's presence gave his teammates new energy and the team focused on the 11 point deficit 1 basket at a time. Needing to change the flow of the game and cover up some deficiencies on the evening, ratiopharm Ulm opened the 4th quarter in a zone. Who knew what events were ahead?
Ulm's zone slowed the Oldenburg offense and when their first shot missed and second possession resulted in an EJ Gallup steal, Ulm trimmed the deficit and built belief in a comeback! Kyle Bailey made several big plays during this phase including a goal-tended transition layin and slick reverse layup driving under the basket. Ulm also established the post and made several beautiful team plays during this time using ball reversal and teamwork. On the other end, Oldenburg continued to come up empty against the Ulm zone missing several open shots. With 3 minutes to play, Ulm pulled within one at 68-67. But Rickey Paulding sank a beautiful body controlled baseline pullup and Branimir Longin scored to push the lead to 72-67 at the two minute mark. Needing a big basket, the Ulm attack went inside to Gibbs who kicked it back out. EJ Gallup made the play with a beautiful pass to cutting Konrad Wysocki who immediately dunked an AND 1 key basket pulling Ulm to within 3 at 72-69. Konrad missed his free throw and Oldenburg attacked up three with 44 seconds to play. Staying in the zone, Ulm stood their ground as Oldenburg moved the ball. Finally, with the shot clock running down, and game clock in the low 20's, Rickey Paulding took aim from the left wing. His shot was long. Jeff Gibbs controlled the board and dished to Kyle Bailey and Ulm had their chance. As Bailey advanced the ball and Ulm players sprinted to their spots for the final play, Oldenburg's point guard Jason Gardner intelligently fouled Kyle sending him to the line with 7 seconds to play. Down three with no team fouls, Ulm had no time to play the fouling game and knew they needed some luck to win the game. Calling timeout, the team huddled and planned for Kyle to make the first shot and intentionally miss the second in hopes of an offensive rebound put back basket to tie. As Kyle Bailey returned to the line, Ulm prepared for their chance. With excellent concentration, Kyle cooly sank the first shot and the players prepared for the second. As Bailey's second shot rimmed off to the right perfectly, a whistle stopped action prematurely --- officials ruled Ulm players entered the lane before the basketball touched the rim. The violation gave Oldenburg a sideline inbound and took what seemed to be Ulm's best chance to tie the game. Looking to close the game out, Oldenburg called for time and huddled to design their strategy for the final seven seconds.
Oldenburg PG Jason Gardner was a major part of the Thunderbird attack scoring 17 points with 5 boards and 5 assists. Here, Gardner drives a gap between Ulm's Bryan Lucas and Konrad Wysocki.
Meanwhile, in the Ulm huddle, the emphasis was on pressure and deny and go for steals. Basically, all Ulm could do is work hard to create a turnover. Still as the team returned to the floor, the last substitution was to enter captain Emeka Erege for defensive purposes.
Trailing 72-70, 7 seconds remained and Oldenburg lined up in a line at midcourt looking to get the ball in. Ulm players hugged their men and worked to play passing lanes. Kyle Bailey was in Jason Gardner's hip pocket as the Oldenburg PG darted into the backcourt. Bailey deflected the ball as Gardner fell down to the floor. Ulm players lobbied for Ulm basketball off Gardners foot, but officials ruled a foul on Bailey before. With 6 seconds to play, Ulm had their first team foul and it was now three quarter court inbound. There seemed no way to win. Ulm needed a miracle.
Again, Ulm defenders hugged their players and gave everything they had to deny. Gardner, initially denied on his cut toward the corner, burst straight up the sideline right in front of the inbounder. Getting a step on Bailey, the Oldenburg playmaker pushed the ball up court and a quick 3 on 2 situation developed. As EJ Gallup rotated over to stop Gardners dribble, Oldenburg's Branimir Longin opened up on the right side cutting to the basket for a layup. The Thunderbird wing took Gardners pass and went in for his game sealing layin --- but the ball did not go in.
Desperately, Jeff Gibbs grabbed the rebound and instantly passed ahead to an open Emeka Erege at halfcourt. Turning and in one motion without dribbling, the Ulm captain heaved a high arcing halfcourt runner that floated through the Ewe Arena air. All fans standing, all eyes followed the ball. With Emeka's shot hung all of Ulm's hopes.....
As the ball banked in clean, instant emotion charged into the Ulm team. Emeka sprinted straight down the middle of the floor back toward the Ulm basket staring at the bench nodding his head as if to say "Thats right, I made it". Jeff Gibbs who signaled the good bucket by raising his hands from behind Emeka, jumped wildly up and down throwing his powerful fists into the air. EJ Gallup skipped back toward Erege and put his hands on his head in amazement. The Ulm bench burst onto the floor after Erege, who had turned his sprint into the "Superman" or "Airplane" by running with arms fully extended at his side. When the Ulm team finally caught Emeka along the far sideline, a wild celebration ensued as the stunned Oldenburg Arena looked on.
Oldenburg big man Ruben Boumtje Boumtje works against tough Sean Finn defense as Sebastian Betz looks on.
Few things can create such instant and dramatic emotion as moment like this in sport. For fans who witnessed the amazing scene, a big question remains --- why did Longin shoot the ball? If he scores, the game is sealed. Emeka's miracle shot in Oldenburg capped an amazing team comeback and was the culmination of many small things that came together to create this scene. Emeka Erege fans will feel great for the Ulm captain who has battled through injury issues this early season. But looking deeper at the situation, fans might remember back to Ulm's first Bundesliga game at Frankfurt last season when Emeka's two missed free throws allowed the Skyliners opportunity to beat Ulm with a buzzer beater at Ballsporthalle. Irocinally or coincidence, the final score of that game was also 73-72. No matter what, Emeka has played in 5 games for Ulm this season and Ulm has won all 5. As ratiopharm Ulm returned to Ulm flying home later Sunday night, the team celebrated their wins and captains heroics. The team even got the airplane crew in on the act as thr captain of the flight announced Ulm captain's buzzer beater over the loudspeaker. When the flight finally touched down, ratiopharm Ulm was still sky high.
ratiopharm Ulm outscored Oldenburg 24-9 in the fourth quarter staging their dramatic comeback and unbelieveable finish. For the game, Ulm shot 41% from the floor, outrebounded the Thunderbirds 44 to 36 and made 15 of 27 free throws (55%). Kyle Bailey led Ulm scoring with 16 points, EJ Gallup added 14 points and 6 steals on 4 of 7 three point shooting and Bryan Lucas chipped in 12 points to the win. Konrad Wysocki produced an active 10 point 10 rebound double double and Jeff Gibbs powered Ulm with 9 points 15 rebounds. The man with the magic touch, Emeka Erege, added 8 points and 4 rebounds. Rickey Paulding led Oldenburg with 18 points and Jason Gardner was strong with 17 points 5 rebounds 5 assists.
Bryan Lucas battles Ruben Boumtje Boumtje for a loose ball in Sundays game.
Capturing their fourth win in a row, Ulm improved to 7-4 for the season and now shift their attention to a Thursday night matchup against BG74 Gottingen at Lokhalle in Gottingen. The 8:15pm tip off can be seen on www.sportdigital.tv by BBL.tv. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
