TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
106 
81
Paderborn Plays Grinch!
Like the Grinch stole Christmas, digibu Baskets Paderborn stole the show Sunday evening with a 106-81 win at sold out Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Snapping ratiopharm Ulm's five game win streak, the hotshooting Paderborn team hit 64% from the floor against a "Bah Humbug" Ulm defense that went on Christmas break a bit too early. Bryan Lucas topscored for Ulm with 19 points followed by 17 points 9 rebounds from Konrad Wysocki and 16 points from EJ Gallup. After winning two road games earlier in the week, Ulm appeared emotionally spent as the focused Paderborn players dicated the game. Despite the loss, ratiopharm Ulm has much to be thankful for this Holiday season starting with their 8-5 record and many exciting performances this year.
ratiopharm Ulm's Konrad Wysocki drives to the hoop as Paderborn's Steve Esterkamp defends. Konrad scored 17 points with 9 rebounds Sunday.
Entering game, Ulm was on a roll winning 5 straight Bundesliga games while Paderborn was on a 2 game skid. However, Paderborn was finally healthy and complete with two strong performances against ALBA Berlin and Koln 99ers in back to back weeks. Despite their early season adversity, Paderborn was coming together at the right time and Head Coach Doug Spradley and his team had a complete week to focus on ratiopharm Ulm. Paderborn's last game was their OT home loss to Koln Friday December 7th. Meanwhile, the surprising Ulm team would tip off their third game of the week after winning on the road Sunday December 9th in Oldenburg and Thursday December 13th in Gottingen. With the emotion from Emeka Erege's buzzer beater and energy from a return to Gottingen for Kyle Bailey and Konrad Wysocki, ratiopharm Ulm hoped their game-rhythm would allow them to ride to a sixth straight win. Unfortunately as the game played out, Ulm would find their gas tank was far from full.
Ulm's All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs produced a 10 point 10 rebound double double against Paderborn.
Before the 5pm tipoff, the sold out Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd welcomed home their team with special appreciation for hardworking post man Bryan Lucas and team captain Emeka Erege. Earlier in the month, Bryan and wife Jane celebrated the birth of newborn son Hudson and Sunday was the Ulm fans first chance to salute their blue collar big man. The crowd cheered and fan club provided special gifts for the baby which were presented midcourt as teams went through layup lines. The crowd also went crazy for the introduction of captain Emeka Erege. After seeing his amazing 'miracle' buzzer beating game winning in Oldenburg, Ulm fans were excited to see their captain and their team for the final time in 2007. After the game, ratiopharm Ulm would enjoy a 9 day Christmas break and most players would head home. What no one could predict at the time of introductions is that Ulm's defensive effort would take an early holiday vacation.
On Ulm's first possession, EJ Gallup buried a three pointer and brought the team into the game quickly. But Paderborn also found their offensive rhythm early as Tim Black and Malik Moore pushed the ball and penetrated effectively. Big men Bryan Lucas and Paderborn's Greg Jenkins established the post as the teams evenly traded baskets throughout the early first quarter. But Paderborn soon edged ahead. Flaws in the Ulm defense appeared in transition and in handling screens. The focused Paderborn player capitalized. Nathan Peavy hit spot up jumpshots, crashed the offensive boards and scored on active cutting. Ulm's offense slipped in its execution and Paderborn won the first quarter 27-21.
In the quarter break, Ulm discussed their poor defensive effort. Physically, the team worked, but emotionally there seemed to be something missing. The absent energy level made a difference in defending ballscreens, beating screens, sprinting back and matching up in transition, guarding 1 on 1 and controlling the defensive boards. The ball seemed to bounce Paderborn's way, but their effort was the key factor --- the guests were a step quicker and worked to make their breaks. Aiming to adjust, Ulm looked to turn the momentum in quarter two. Unfortunately, the trend continued. Steve Esterkamp found his range running off screens and drilling catch and shoot shots on his way to 11 first half points. But it was still Nathan Peavy who was on fire scoring 17 points on 6 of 7 first half shooting including a pair of threes. Overall, Paderborn sank 66% of their shots, made 5 of 8 threes and outrebounded Ulm 17 to 15 in the first twenty minutes. Outscoring Ulm 32-24 in the second quarter, Paderborn took a commanding 59-45 lead into halftime lockerroom.
Ulm post man Bryan Lucas battles Paderborn's Marius Nolte Sunday at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Lucas topscored with 19 points on 8 of 10 shooting.
At halftime the adjustments were clear for everyone to see. The Ulm players were working hard to do the right things but seemed to be running on empty gas tanks. Playing their third game in 7 days, Ulm players appeared ok physically but had trouble charging their batteries or sparking their fire. Down 14 points at half, plenty of time remained for a comeback, but the focus was on changing "how" Ulm played. The team aimed to trim the margin to under ten and then step by step until five or less after three.
Ulm's Kyle Bailey works baseline in Sunday's game against Paderborn.
Opening the second half, Ulm had plenty of chances to cut into the deficit. However, this quarter was more about missed opportunities than missing emotion. Ulm players missed several shots in the lane. When Ulm did have a chance to cut into the lead, the ball seemed to bounce the other way. Rather than make their move, Ulm ended up trading baskets with their guests from Paderborn. Five minutes into the second half, Ulm trailed 68-52. Paderborn weathered the first wave from Ulm and pushed their advantage. Attacking changing defenses, Paderborn players made several big shots as Black and Peavy led the way. At the end of three, Ulm saw their hole build to 16 points at 81-65.
Looking at all options to trigger the comeback, Ulm switched matchups, changed defenses, vaired lineups and used different plays. In the fourth quarter, Ulm quickly entered their bench players Florian Mobius, Jan Sprunken and Sebastian Betz into game. Ulm pulled back into the game and even got under double digits before Paderborn opened the game back up again. Leading 99-78 late in the game, Tim Black free throws pushed Paderborn over the century mark at 101-81. Moments later, big man Greg Jenkins punctuated the win for Paderborn with an AND 1 transition dunk over Ulm's Bryan Lucas. At the final buzzer, ratiopharm Ulm's Christmas gift to Paderborn came in the form of a 106-81 result. In the end, Ulm's poor defensive effort and 64% field goal percentage defense did them in.
For Ulm Bryan Lucas topscored with 19 points on 8 of 10 shooting followed by Konrad Wysocki's 17 point 9 rebound night. EJ Gallup buried 4 of 9 threes on his way to 16 and Jeff Gibbs added 10 points 10 rebounds in the Ulm loss. As a team Ulm shot 43% from the floor making 6 of 23 from three and 17 for 25 from the foul line. Ulm outrebounded Paderborn 34 to 32 in the game. Nathan Peavy paced Paderborn with 25 points 4 rebounds on 9 of 11 shooting with a perfect 3 for 3 from three. Tim Black added a strong 23 points 8 assists and Steve Esterkamp hit 7 of 11 for 15 points. Greg Jenkins chipped in 15 points with 7 boards. Paderborn made 64% from the floor and 9 of 18 from three while also making 17 of 25 from the charity stripe. Although for many Ulm fans Paderborn played the role of the Grinch, on Sunday, they were clearly the better team.
ratiopharm Ulm huddles pre-game with Holiday Cheer!
After Sunday, ratiopharm Ulm team will enjoy a 9 day Christmas break. The team will return to reopen practice at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm Dec 27th. The next game for the team will be Saturday January 5th as Ulm entertains heated rival Walter Tigers Tubingen in a game which can be seen live on BBL.TV
Christmas Man banging the drum for Ulm!
To all basketball fans all over the world, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!
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GO ULM!
MIKE T
