TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM COLD IN PADERBORN!
With wintry conditions outside, negative ten degrees celcius and powdery snow covered the north central German city of Paderborn the first week after new year. Just as cold in their first game of the new year, ratiopharm Ulm shot a season low 36% from the floor and fell victim to a late game-breaking run that pushed host Paderborn Baskets to an 82-66 Bundesliga win Wednesday night at Sportszentrum Maspernplatz.
ratiopharm Ulm's Lee Humphrey defends Paderborn's Bryant McAllister in Wednesday nights Bundesliga action at Sportszentrum Maspernplatz in Paderborn.
Click here for Ulm @ Paderborn Wednesday 1-7-09 Box Score
click here for Ulm @ Paderborn Photo Gallery!
For their first two Bundesliga seasons, ratiopharm Ulm found Sportszentrum Maspernplatz in Paderborn to be a difficult place to play. After a convicing 96-67 loss Febuary 25, 2007, Ulm dropped a 101-91 decision last season April 18, 2008. Beating Paderborn once in Bundesliga play and once in the German Cup, Ulm aimed for a strong performance in Paderborn as they returned to action for 2009.
Click here for regio-tv news report covering Ulm's road trip!
On the bus ride north to Paderborn, ratiopharm Ulm received the tragic news. Adolph Merckle, owner of ratiopharm, Ulm's main sponsor had died earlier in the day. With thoughts and prayers to the Merckle family, the Ulm team briefly discussed the shocking news and added black stripes to the team jerseys in rememberance. Aside from the negative news around the company ratiopharm, everything around the road trip and Ulm team was positive.
ratiopharm Ulm's Dru Joyce sinks the first of his two free throws that put Ulm up by two heading into the half.
At tip off, both teams were happy to be back to Bundesliga basketball after a two week Christmas break. As expected, both teams appeared a bit rusty in the opening half. Ulm's Jeff Gibbs worked to establish the inside and Paderborn veteran wing Steve Esterkamp opened the game aggressively for the hosts. Five minutes into the game, both teams were even at 8-8. Ulm moved ahead with a first quarter run taking a lead capitalizing on several Paderborn turnovers. Lee Humphrey buried a left corner three and Jeff Gibbs scored on power moves in the lane. Leading 18-14, Ulm held possession with 26 seconds on the first quarter clock just 2 seconds more than the 24 second shot clock. Poor offensive execution on their late quarter play resulted in a travel giving possession back to Paderborn. The Baskets Reggie Golson weaved his way to the basket from the left side working baseline for a score sending the teams to the first quarter break with Ulm leading 18-16.
ratiopharm Ulm transition defense stops a Paderborn break in Wednesday nights game.
Although they were leading, ratiopharm Ulm's offensive attack was not clicking on all cylinders as the team definitely showed signs of their time away with their missed finishes and imperfect execution. Ulm's changing defenses forced 12 Paderborn turnovers early in the game. Taking advantage of their opportunity, Ulm built an 11 point 32-21 lead with 4 minutes remaining in the first half. In a perfect position, Ulm held the double digit lead despite no one player really finding his rhythm. With the lead at 9, 32-23, and after three straight fouls called against them, ratiopharm Ulm huddled in a timeout to focus and stop momentum. Unfortunately, Ulm missed several layups and shots in the paint. Paderborn responded with an 11-0 run tying the game at 32 with 16 seconds to play in the first half. Out of a timeout, Ulm floor general Dru Joyce drove hard to the basket drawing a foul in the half's final possession. Dru sank both free throws and Ulm held a 34-32 lead at half.
In the halftime lockerroom, Ulm had let their 11 point lead slip away and while Paderborn held momentum, Ulm still held the lead. Refocusing on the defensive-game plan, Ulm aimed for a second half run and was focused to work to regain momentum.
As the second half opened, Sean Finn scored on a second-shot after a hardworking rebound in the lane. But an early second half Paderborn run gave the hosts a 48-42 advantage with 7 minutes to play in the third quarter. Missing several layups and open shots, Ulm players saw their frustration level grow. Working hard defensively, the team stayed in the game and within striking distance. The physical Paderborn defense toughened and Ulm's stagnant offense searched for a spark. Using the rotation, Dan Fitzgerald helped Ulm with two three pointers. With one minute left in the third, Paderborn was up 50-48.
ratiopharm Ulm's Sebastian Betz defends Paderborn's Lavelle Felton as Emeka Erege and Jeff Gibbs rotate to help.
After a frustrating performance which saw several bounces go the Paderborn way, Ulm huddled at the quarter break attempting to stay positive and work for a rally with a fourth quarter run. Trailing 54-50 heading into the fourth, Ulm staff worked the rotation through attempting to keep the game tight and return a refreshed starting lineup to the floor for the final five minutes of the game. But Paderborn put together an 8-4 run in the first two minutes of the fourth forcing an Ulm timeout with the score 62-54. Ulm trimmed the deficit to 62-58 with 5 minutes to play. Putting the starting five on the floor, Ulm's hope was to finally put their run together at the perfect time and with half the fourth quarter remaining, there was plenty of time. But from that point over the final five minutes of the game, Paderborn outscored Ulm 20-8. Key in the stage was a fifth foul for Ulm defensive-ace Keith Triplett. Fouling out, Triplett walked to the bench and the way to his seat, hit the sponsor board in frustration. With teams lined up for a free throw, officials whistled the Ulm guard for a technical foul. Foul troubles mounted for Ulm as Triplett, Dan Fitzgerald and Jeff Gibbs all fouled out in the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter for Paderborn, Chris Ensminger finished a strong three point play in the paint, Bryant McAllister finished in transition and Steven Wright drilled a top of the key three.
In the game, Ulm's season low shooting percentage 36% came as a result of a stagnant offense, a clear result of the teams lack of rhythm from Christmas break. Paderborn's defense should be credited for their excellent work, but Ulm will breakdown the game film and take several coaching points to improve their execution. Paderborn's excellent work in the rebounding department was also a key in the game. Outrebounding Ulm 37-33, Paderborn forced Ulm into tough shots and cleaned up their defensive boards effectively. Bench production was also critical to the game as Paderborn reserves outscored Ulm 31-18.
ratiopharm Ulm was led by Jeff Gibbs' 16 point 11 rebound double double while Sean Finn and Lee Humphrey added 10 points apiece. Steve Esterkamp paced Paderborn with 15 points while Steven Wright scored 13 points, Bryant McAllister 12 points and Lavelle Felton 11.
ratiopharm Ulm shooting inside Sportszentrum Maspernplatz was as cold as the wintry weather outside Wednesday night in Paderborn.
ratiopharm Ulm's road trip to a cold and snowy Paderborn seemed to carry over onto the court in the teams season low 36% field goal percentage. Looking to bounce back, Ulm travels to nearby Nordlingen tipping off their newest Bundesliga rivalry Saturday night. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
