TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM EARNS 'KAMPFENSIEG'!
ratiopharm Ulm earned a hardfought 77-73 'Kampfensieg' over Paderborn Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. In a physical, playoff-style game, ratiopharm Ulm limited Paderborn to 37% shooting and battled until a 10-2 fourth quarter run completed the comeback in the hardfought victory. Lee Humphrey led Ulm's attack with 17 points while Jeff Gibbs posted a 15 point 12 rebound double double and Sean Finn added 10 points 7 boards to the win. The physical and competitive 'kampfensieg' played out as perfect preparation for the post season as ratiopharm Ulm earned their 20th win. Improving to 20-12, ratiopharm Ulm can finish no lower than sixth as they look ahead to the Bundesliga playoffs.
ratiopharm Ulm's rookie point guard Per Gunther drives past Paderborn's Matt Terwilliger Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Click here for Ulm vs Paderborn Saturday April 24,2009 Box Score
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For ratiopharm Ulm, Saturday's game against Paderborn served as terrific playoff preparation thanks to the physical style of play and intensity level on the floor. For Paderborn, Saturday's game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg was critical in their quest to clinch the 8th and final Bundesliga playoff spot. Battling with Artland for the 8th place, Paderborn's playoffs have started last week with their team hardfought home win over EnBW Ludwigsburg. Saturday night, Sportszentrum Kuhberg took on a playoff feeling.
ratiopharm Ulm floor general Dru Joyce zips a pass as Paderborn big man Chris Ensminger defends.
At tip off, Paderborn established themselves early. On a mission to make the playoffs, Paderborn played physical defense and attacked Ulm in transition and through the post. Opening a 12-2 lead, Paderborn forced Ulm's first timeout midway through the first quarter. Chris Ensminger established the post for Paderborn and the physical veteran big man made his presence felt on both ends of the floor. Paderborn's Bryant McAllister also found his rhythm early pushing the ball in transition and attacking the basket for scores. Midway through the first quarter, Ulm's floor general Dru Joyce was forced to leave the floor after his left arm went numb following a physical collision in the lane. With Joyce being treated on the bench, Ulm's rookie point guard Per Gunther entered the game and sparked the offensive attack. Behind Lee Humphrey's perimeter shooting and Sean Finn's hardwork to finish inside, ratiopharm Ulm fought their way back into the game. At the end of the first quarter, Paderborn held a 20-17 lead.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn sinks a free throw in the first half against Paderborn Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Early in the second quarter, ratiopharm Ulm forward Dan Fitzgerald found his range and sank two important three point shots further helping Ulm's comeback. Romeo Travis stuck a smooth fadeaway from the left block. Tied at 25 with five minutes remaining in the half, ratiopharm Ulm and Paderborn locked horns in a physical playoff style basketball game. Backup big man Matt Terwilliger scored six straight points pushing Paderborn back on top and the guests held a 35-33 lead going into half.
In the halftime lockerroom, Ulm discussed their slow start and talked about adjustments to the playoff-style game. The physical Paderborn defense provided outstanding preparation for the post season and Ulm could improve several details of their attack. Aiming for a run to take control of the game, ratiopharm Ulm understood that persistance would be key and they would have to work for the win.
As the second half opened, Paderborn grabbed three offensive rebounds on their first possession before Jeff Gibbs fouled Nathan Peavy as he attacked the rim for a dunk. On the other end, Gibbs drove strong drawing a foul against Paderborn big man Chris Ensminger. But similar to the start of the game, Ulm's opponent had the better of play early on in the third. After sleepwalking defense led to another foul, Ulm took an early timeout to wake the team up. Responding, Ulm's defensive intensity picked up and began to get stops against Paderborn. Offensively, Sean Finn and Jeff Gibbs helped Ulm establish their inside attack. Working back possession by possession, the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd pushed their team with energy for the comeback effort. After a turnover, Dru Joyce dropped a perfect pass to trailer Romeo Travis who tomohawked a two hand slam that forced a Paderborn timeout. Moments later, Jeff Gibbs powered his way to a three point play giving Ulm their first lead of the game 53-52. But fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, Paderborn would not go away. Veteran Chris Ensminger finished inside giving the guests from Paderborn a 54-53 advantage heading into the fourth.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn finishes inside as Paderborn defenders Chris Ensmingern (5) and Nathan Peavy (31) look on.
On the first possession of the fourth quarter, Ulm's Per Gunther split the Paderborn defense at the top of the key and sliced down the lane to the rim finishing an acrobatic lay in. After a defensive stop, Lee Humphrey took a post-reaction pass from Sean Finn spotting up in the left corner and the Ulm sharpshooter buried a big three. Humphrey drilled another three from the top of the key after an offensive rebound randomly tipped right to him. Ulm's 10-2 run opened a 63-54 advantage. With five minutes remaining, ratiopharm Ulm maintained their margin holding a 65-56 lead. But Paderborn's teamwork and effort showed through. Steve Esterkamp hit a tough top of the key three after an offensive rebound from Chris Ensminger. Paderborn cut the Ulm lead to 69-64 with 3 minutes to play. Ulm's Keith Triplett took on the challenging defensive assignment to limit Paderborn's sharpshooter Steve Esterkamp and Triplett gave his team a fantastic defensive effort. Down the stretch, leading 73-69 with under one minute to play, Paderborn played for a defensive stop and Ulm executed on the important possession. After Jeff Gibbs took the post touch on the right block and skipped a post-reaction pass to Dan Fitzgerald deep on the left wing with the shot clock ticking down, Ulm's rookie forward from Marquette was forced to shoot the deep three point attempt to beat the shot clock. As Fitzgerald's shot rimmed off, the basketball bounced high into the air for an important jump ball rebound. While his defense was important, Ulm's Keith Triplett skied for a physical rebound that helped Ulm seal the game. Securing the 50-50 loose ball rebound, Triplett played strong and drew the foul sending him to the charity stripe with 29 seconds to play. Making one of two, Keith extended Ulm's lead to 74-69. Not giving up, Paderborn's Nathan Peavy hit a long two pulling Paderborn back within one possesion at 74-71. Ulm used their final timeout to advance the ball and set their strategy. Inbounding the ball to Dru Joyce, Ulm's floor general ate up some time in the backcourt before drawing a foul that sent him to the line. Adding one more point to the margin, Dru gave Ulm a 75-71 lead with 10 seconds to play. Desperately attacking the basket in transition, Paderborn's Lavelle Felton drew an Ulm foul and made both of his important foul shot attempts. Ulm led 75-73 with 5 seconds to play. Executing their press attack, Ulm's Lee Humphrey darted to the basketball and strongly secured the catch before absorbing the next Paderborn foul. The Ulm sharpshooter stepped to the line and iced the game making two of two free throws with 1.3 seconds left. As the final buzzer sounded, ratiopharm Ulm celebrated their hardfought 77-73 home win.
In the game, Ulm shot 44% from the floor making 7 of 20 threes (35%) and 20 of 25 free throws (80%). Paderborn outrebounded Ulm 36-34 but Ulm limited Paderborn to 37% shooting. ratiopharm Ulm was led by Lee Humphrey who topscored with 17 points hitting 3 of 6 threes. Jeff Gibbs added a 15 point 12 rebound double double and Sean Finn finished with 10 points 7 boards in the win. Bryant McAllister paced Paderborn with 19 points, Nathan Peavy had 16 points, Steve Esterkamp finished with 15 and Chris Ensminger posted a 14 point 14 rebound double double.
Earning their 20th win of the season, ratiopharm Ulm improved to 20-12 and can finish no lower than 6th in the standings. With two home games remaining before the playoffs, Ulm now focuses on Thursday nights home game against Eisbaren Bremerhaven. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
