TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
Bundesliga Playoffs 2009
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BONN TAKES GAME 1!
ratiopharm Ulm tipped off their Best-of-Five Bundesliga Quarterfinal Series against Telekom Baskets Bonn Sunday with a hardfought 71-62 road loss before 5,100 fans at Telekom Dome. Ulm's first playoff game in 10 years, ratiopharm Ulm showed their inexperience falling behind by 13 points at halftime. Adjusting to the intense post-season action, Ulm stormed back with an 18-9 third quarter cutting the Bonn lead to 50-46 after three. Getting as close as 58-55 in the early fourth, Ulm's comeback fell short as Bonn protected their home court to take the 1-0 series lead. Both teams look ahead to Game 2, tipping off 5pm Thursday evening at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm gave a great effort but Game 1 against Telekom Baskets Bonn got away in Sunday's 71-62 road loss.
Click here for Ulm @ Bonn Game 1 Box Score
click here for Ulm @ Bonn photo gallery from Bonn
click here for Ulm @ Bonn photo gallery 2 from Bonn
After an excellent regular season that saw them post a 21-13 record earning the fifth seed for the 2009 Bundesliga playoffs, ratiopharm Ulm eagerly anticipated the Quarterfinal Series against fourth seeded 22-12 Telekom Baskets Bonn. With Ulm and Bonn splitting 6 games 3 wins apiece, both teams have protected their home courts in every meeting over the last three Bundesliga seasons. Prior to tip off, most discussion around the Ulm-Bonn series gave Bonn an edge due to their playoff experience and home court advantage.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs powers his way in the lane as Bonn's Patrick Flomo falls in what was whistled as a charge.
At tip off, ratiopharm Ulm opened with their usual starting five of point guard Dru Joyce, shooting guard Lee Humphrey, small forward Romeo Travis, power forward Jeff Gibbs and center Sean Finn. Bonn countered with point guard EJ Rowland, shooting guard Winsome Frazier, small forward Vincent Yarbrough, power forward Brandon Bowman and center Ken Johnson. The 5,100 fans the filled Telekom Dome anticipated a tremendous series and Game 1 finally tipped off. Immediately, Bonn's Brandon Bowman drove strong and drew a foul from Ulm's Sean Finn. On the other end, Ken Johnson blocked a Romeo Travis shot. Both teams worked with great intensity on the defensive end. Ulm's Dru Joyce buried a left wing three to ignite the Ulm crowd. Playing their first playoff game together, Ulm showed some nerves as their offense did not find a rhythm as they suffered several early turnovers. The athletic Bonn defense did an excellent job pressuring passing lanes on the perimeter and challenging shots in the lane. Ulm fell behind 10-5 and called a timeout after a second early turnover. Out of the timeout, Ulm's Romeo Travis finished a run-out two-hand slam off a perfect thread-the-needle ball-ahead bounce pass from Dru Joyce. The Ulm floor general opened the game strong with a mid-lane runner off glass and zipping perfect pass to post player Sean Finn for a shot clock beating layin in the lane. Unfortunately, several unfinished opportunities in the lane and turnovers triggered Bonn fast breaks. Artur Kolodziejski and Patrick Flomo scored easy points for the hosts. But Ulm's hardwork helped them stay in the game and after the first quarter, Bonn led 19-15.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn defends Bonn point guard EJ Rowland who celebrated his 26th birthday Sunday with 12 points in his teams Game 1 home win.
Quarter two Bonn took control. Ulm went through a short stretch of poor shot selection which Bonn turned into fast breaks and easy baskets. Bonn's athletic team ran passing lanes, poked loose steals and pressured Ulm into forced shots. A midquarter timeout attempted to stop the Bonn run. Sebastian Betz hit a tough baseline pull-up J through a foul. Lee Humphrey sank a deep left wing three. Jeff Gibbs was relentless working in the lane grabbing 9 first half boards. But the Bonn defense focused on Ulm's All Star power forward holding Jeff to 5 points on 1 for 8 shooting. Bonn ran to a 41-28 halftime lead. Ulm's post season inexperience showed in the form of turnovers and poor shot selection. Bonn capitalized.
At the half, Ulm had hit 11 of 35 shots (31%) including 2 of 10 threes and 4 of 8 free throws. Ulm did outrebound Bonn 23-15 including an 11-1 advantage on the offensive boards. But Ulm's 8 turnovers led directly to Bonn's 13 point halftime lead. Bonn shot 53% from the floor including 4 of 7 threes and 7 of 10 foul shots. Making several adjustments at halftime, Ulm rallied in the lockerroom aiming for better offensive execution, improved shot selection and continued defensive effort. Most importantly, ratiopharm Ulm focused to find their rhythm in the game.
ratiopharm Ulm's Jeff Gibbs is surrounded by Bonn defenders Brandon Bowman (15), Patrick Flomo (13) and Vincent Yarbrough in Sunday's Game 1 action.
As the second half started, Ulm slowly established their game. With strong defensive play, Ulm overcame back to back early turnovers before the offense got going thanks to center Sean Finn. Making a skillful midlane left hand jumphook over a double team and finishing strong inside, Sean helped Ulm establish the post against the physical Bonn defense. Ulm's intense defensive effort recorded stops and Ulm began to chip away at the Bonn lead. Mid-way through the third, the Ulm bench became a factor. First, Keith Triplett drilled a left wing three. Then Sebastian Betz blocked a Bonn shot in the lane on the defensive end before making a spin move on the left wing in transition before drawing a foul from Artur Kolodziejski on a strong baseline drive. Rookie point guard Per Gunther attacked the basket in ballscreens and drew fouls hitting 3 of 4 from the charity stripe in the quarter. As Ulm's momentum grew, Sebastian Betz sparked his team again with a right corner three pulling Ulm within four, 50-46. Outscoring Bonn 18-9 in the third, ratiopharm Ulm had established their post game, received a big boost from the bench and worked their way back into the game.
ratiopharm Ulm small forward Romeo Travis loses control of the basketball as Bonn's John Bowler (9) and Vincent Yarbrough defend. Romeo was quiet in Game 1 scoring 4 points with 5 rebounds in the loss.
In the fourth, Bonn opened with a 7-0 run rebuilding their advantage to 57-46 at the 7 minute mark. Key in the surge were Bonn point guard JJ Strasser and forward Patrick Flomo. But a determined Ulm team continued their comeback. A 9-1 answer pulled Ulm right back into the game trailing by only three 58-55 with 4 minutes 43 seconds to play. In the run, Jeff Gibbs powered his way to a strong post move and Lee Humphrey drilled another deep left wing three. Two Jeff Gibbs free throws pulled Ulm within three at 58-55. But Bonn's big man John Bowler finished a strong post move through a Sean Finn foul and Bonn held a 61-55 lead at the 4 minute mark. Two Vincent Yarbrough free throws added two points making the score 63-55 with three minutes remaining. Down the stretch, Ulm's attack was highlighted by Jeff Gibb's offensive rebound and slam over Bonn's Patrick Flomo. Ulm continued their fight pulling within 5 points 64-59 after two Lee Humphrey free throws with 1 minute 30 seconds to play. But ratiopharm Ulm could not find the big basket and by the final buzzer Ulm dropped a 71-62 road loss in Game 1.
Ulm and Bonn hustled all over the floor in Sunday's Game 1.
Jeff Gibbs led the ratiopharm Ulm attack with a strong 11 point 16 rebound double double and center Sean Finn enjoyed an excellent game adding 11 points and 7 rebounds on 5 of 7 shooting. Lee Humphrey hit 2 of 5 threes adding 10 points 4 boards and Dru Joyce sank 2 of 3 threes for 10 points 3 assists in the loss. Bonn was led by Brandon Bowman with 15 points, EJ Rowland added 12 points and Vincent Yarbrough chipped in ten. Ulm finished shooting 33% from the floor and 6 of 17 from three (35%) along with 16 of 23 (69%) free throws. Bonn hit 47% of their shots with 5 of 16 (31%) from three and 16 of 27 (59%) from the foul line. Ulm outrebounded Bonn 43-30 including 19 offensive boards. Unfortunately, Ulm suffered 18 turnovers in the game.
Sunday in Game 1 was a time for old friends as ratiopharm Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor and Bundesliga official Richard Stokes discuss their British Basketball League days.
Ulm's first playoff appearance in ten years resulted in a loss, but the team took away many positives to work with as the series moves forward. After the Game 1 road loss in Bonn, ratiopharm Ulm looks to refocus and protect their home court in Thursday nights Game 2 tipping off 5pm at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
