Bundesliga Playoffs 2009
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GREAT EFFORT
DESPITE GREAT EFFORT, ULM SWEPT WITH GAME 3 LOSS!
ratiopharm Ulm's exciting 2008-2009 season came to an end Sunday with a hardfought road loss to Telekom Baskets Bonn in Game 3 at Telekom Dome. Playing with heart and effort, Ulm powered to an early lead before Bonn rallied to tie the score at 31 at the half. The tight game continued through a 51-51 third quarter setting the stage for an intense fourth. Ulm trailed 62-61 with 3:20 to play but Bonn sealed their series clinching win with big baskets and cool free throw shooting. ratiopharm Ulm's best playoff effort fell short but the team could take pride in their great effort to close a great season.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs dives for a loose ball in Sunday's intense action. Jeff and teammates gave everything they had in the Game 3 road loss against Telekom Baskets Bonn at Telekom Dome.
Click here for Ulm @ Bonn Game 3 Box Score
click here for Ulm @ Bonn photo gallery from Bonn
click here for second Ulm @ Bonn photo gallery from Bonn
click here for regio-tv report
Entering Sunday's Game 3, ratiopharm Ulm trailed Telekom Baskets Bonn 2-0 in their Best-of-five Bundesliga Quarterfinals series. Fighting to keep their season alive, ratiopharm Ulm was focused for a Game 3 win in hopes of forcing a Game 4 back at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm sharpshooter Lee Humphrey drills a right wing three point shot over a contesting Winsome Frazier in Sunday's Game 3 action at Telekom Dome in Bonn.
At tip off, ratiopharm Ulm was at their best. Ulm jumped to a 9-4 lead in the first few minutes as Lee Humphrey buried a right wing three, Jeff Gibbs finished a power move off glass and Romeo Travis and Gibbs combined to convert a terrific two on one layin. Center Sean Finn continued his excellent playoff performance scoring inside. Finn punctuated Ulm's early run by slamming home a second shot immediately after Bonn center Ken Johnson blocked his first attempt. Ulm's bench exploded as Finn's second shot slam symbolized Ulm's back to the wall effort early in Game 3. Finn would finish the first quarter making 3 of 4 shots for a team best 8 points and 4 boards in his strong start. Ulm's run continued through most of the first quarter despite early foul trouble. All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs and Romeo Travis picked up two first quarter fouls. With two minutes to play in the first quarter ratiopharm Ulm held a 19-11 lead. Ulm's bench brought great energy to the floor as Sebastian Betz poked loose a steal from Bonn's John Bowler, a healthy Dan Fitzgerald made a positive impact with his play and Keith Triplett attacked the gaps with slashing drives. Ulm set the tone early with their play and held a 19-14 lead after one quarter. Ulm's hot start saw them hit 53% of their shots while limiting Bonn to 33% from the floor.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Dan Fitzgerald was a positive factor off the bench sparking his team with solid play. Slowed by an elbow injury in the first two games of the series, Dan played a key role for Ulm when foul trouble mounted in the front court.
After a strong first ten minutes, ratiopharm Ulm focused for consistency. The bench gave the team excellent minutes at this point in the game. Ulm led 23-14 after two Dan Fitzgerald free throws. With firey spirit, rookie of the year Per Gunther intercepted an Alex King pass and recovered a loose ball steal in the defensive right corner. Per also stepped to the top of the key and buried a post-reaction three to give Ulm a 26-15 lead at the seven minute mark. But foul trouble played a key role in the first half as Romeo Travis picked up his third and Sean Finn joined Jeff Gibbs with two. Bonn methodically worked their way back into the game. Bonn's big men from the bench John Bowler and Patrick Flomo scored back to back baskets trimming Ulm's lead to 26-21 forcing an Ulm timeout. Bonn's comeback continued with Brandon Bowman making plays and Ulm's lead narrowed to 26-24. But Keith Triplett buried a right wing three pushing Ulm's advantage to 29-24. Brandon Bowman found his rhythm early getting to the basket with attacking drives and finding his range from beyond the three point arc. As the Bonn comeback continued, Winsome Frazier made big plays including a key left corner three from an endline inbound situation cutting the Ulm lead to 29-27. Possession by possession the game grew with intensity. Sean Finn finished strong once again giving Ulm a 31-27 lead but Bonn bounced back with two Winsome Frazier free throws and another Brandon Bowman driving bucket. At the end of the first half, the teams were exactly where they started --- even. Tied at 31, ratiopharm Ulm and Telekom Bonn were locked in a terrific playoff duel.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Sebastian Betz was strong for his team bringing excellent energy from the bench.
ratiopharm Ulm showed up with tremendous determination and heart as they built their early lead in Game 3. A strong effort from the bench helped them compensate for the early first half foul trouble, but Bonn found their rhythm as the first half went on.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn was excellent the entire series and played his best basketball of the season during the playoffs. Here, Sean challenges a layup attempt from Bonn's Winsome Frazier in the second half.
Tied at halftime, Ulm shot 42% compared with Bonn's 37%. Ulm hit 3 of 7 threes while Bonn sank 2 of 10. Bonn enjoyed an advantage from the foul line going 9 of 13 to Ulm's 4 of 8 from the charity stripe. After Ulm outrebounded Bonn in Games 1 and 2, Bonn controlled the boards 23-14 in the first half of Game 3. Bonn suffered 7 turnovers and Ulm only 3 in the first twenty minutes. Sean Finn led all scorers with 12 points and 7 boards in a terrific half of basketball. Brandon Bowman and Winsome Frazier led Bonn with 7 points apiece. Just like Game 2 which was tied 38-38 at half, ratiopharm Ulm aimed to be the team to make the run and take control early in the second half.
ratiopharm Ulm All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs was the center of attention for Bonn defense the entire series. Jeff was outstanding for Ulm producing two double doubles and a strong 12 point 5 rebound 3 assist performance in Game 3 through foul trouble.
Ulm opened the third quarter with strength. The game remained close and Ulm's largest lead during the early third was five. At the midpoint of the third quarter, Ulm's Jeff Gibbs was assessed a technical foul resulting in his third personal foul of the game. Ulm's lead was 42-28 at the six minute mark of the third when Brandon Bowman buried a right corner three pulling Bonn within one at 42-41. Dru Joyce answered at the other end with a midlane finish off glass and Ulm was up 44-41. After teams exchanged misses, Ulm's Jeff Gibbs was called for his fourth foul on a reach in defending Bowman on the left wing. With 5:08 remaining in the third, Ulm was forced to put their All Star power forward on the bench and Dan Fitzgerald returned to the game. A Ken Johnson post move was countered by a Romeo Travis free throw and Ulm held a 45-43 lead. Dan Fitzgerald drilled a pull up jumper along the left baseline and Ulm held a 47-43 lead. Vincent Yarbrough answered in the lane with a J pulling Bonn to 47-45 with 3 minutes to play in the third. Both teams subbed in their bench. A Bowman travel was followed by an Ulm 24 second shot clock violation. John Bowler worked one on one on the wing against Sean Finn forcing Finn into his third personal and sending the Bonn big man to the line. Bowler sank both and evened the score at 47 with 2 minutes 30 seconds to play in the third quarter. Dan Fitzgerald answered with a strong drive down the lane regaining the lead for Ulm 49-47. But Bonn's Brandon Bowman stepped up once again drilling an open top of the key three giving Bonn their first lead 50-49. In the closing moments of the third, Sebastian Betz drew a foul on a strong drive and converted one of two free throws. The game was even at 50 with one minute twenty seconds. At the 1:10 mark Vincent Yarbrough drew a foul midlane from Betz and the former Denver Nugget made one of two. Bonn led 51-50. But Per Gunther was fouled on a strong drive to the basket in the last seconds of the third. Per made one of two and after three, the game was tied at 51.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Keith Triplett ignited the Ulm attack with attacking drives and excellent defense in Game 3.
Through three quarters, ratiopharm Ulm and Telekom Bonn engaged in an intense playoff skirmish. Both teams defended with intensity and eliminated everything easy. With their backs against the wall, focused on forcing a Game 4 back in Ulm, ratiopharm Ulm played with tremendous heart as they looked to keep their alive.
ratiopharm Ulm center Sean Finn steps through Bonn defenders Ken Johnson (19) and Brandon Bowman (15) as he finishes in the lane. Sean scored 14 points with 14 rebounds in a fantastic Game 3 effort.
John Bowler opened scoring in the fourth with an inside finish giving Bonn a 53-51 lead. Romeo Travis was called for an offensive foul, his fourth. A Dan Fitzgerald block triggered an Ulm fastbreak which saw Per Gunther zip a ballahead pass to Travis who slipped a dime to Sean Finn. Fouled hard by John Bowler, officials ruled an unsportsmanlike foul giving Finn two free throws plus Ulm ball possession. Finn sank one of two foul shots and Romeo Travis finished a post move inside from an endline inbound play regaining a 54-53 lead for Ulm with 8:20 to play. Finn fouled Patrick Flomo on a screen and roll at the other end, his fourth personal . Flomo made one of two and the game was tied once again 54-54. Flomo fouled Dan Fitzgerald in the act of shooting a deep left wing three and the Ulm forward stepped to the line to make two of three giving Ulm a 56-54 lead. Unfortunately for Ulm, it would be their last. A backdoor cut and basket from Alex King evened the game at 56 with 7:30 left. Finn rimmed out a layup attempt and Bowler finished at the other end giving Bonn a 58-56 lead forcing an Ulm timeout with just under seven minutes to play. Finn drew a foul on the next possession and sank one of two bringing Ulm within one at 58-57. Ken Johnson blocked Sean Finn's putback attempt and Finn defended Johnson at the other end. With 5:38 to play, Romeo Travis drew a foul with a strong drive to the basket. Unfortunately for Ulm, Romeo came up empty missing both free throws. Ulm's defense registered a stop but Vincent Yarbrough played the passing lane stealing a Travis wing entry pass and feeding teammate Brandon Bowman for an easy basket in a 2 on 1. Moments later, Sean Finn looked to make a post-reaction pass that was stolen away leading to an EJ Rowland breakaway dunk bringing the Telekom Dome crowd to life. The missed free throws and back to back turnovers helped Bonn build a 62-57 lead with 4:32 to play. Ulm used their final timeout to stop the run. Out of the timeout, Ulm's Jeff Gibbs scored on a powerful drive in the lane (4:10) before Dru Joyce finished a contested runner in the lane bringing Ulm back within one at 62-61 with 3:20 to play.
ratiopharm Ulm floor general scans the floor as Bonn's EJ Rowland defends in Game 3 Sunday. Dru managed the game extremely well for Ulm and gained valuable playoff experience.
But Bonn turned to Brandon Bowman on their next possession as he dribbled off a Ken Johnson ballscreen creating a mismatch that opened up a driving lane. Bowman made a beautiful spin and reverse layup off the glass and ratiopharm Ulm trailed 64-61 with 3:10 to play. Ulm's next possession saw Jeff Gibbs grab a rebound in traffic and attempt to finish strong in the lane. Despite contact, the All Star got no call and the ball hit the bottom of the backboard whistled off Gibbs. Capitalizing on the situation, Bowman buried a clutch three giving Bonn a 67-61 lead with 2:12 remaining. Ulm's Romeo Travis missed a left wing three but Gibbs was fouled on the rebound tip in attempt by John Bowler. Gibbs drilled both foul shots and Ulm was down 67-63 with 2 minutes. This time it was Bonn's point guard EJ Rowland who backed down Ulm's Dru Joyce and shot a physical high-arcing midlane turnaround jumpshot over him. The big bucket extended Bonn's lead to 69-63 with 1:44 to play. On the other end Rowland poked loose a steal from Joyce and fed a ballahead breakaway pass to Winsome Frazier who added two more points to the Bonn lead with a layup. Bonn held a 71-63 lead with 1:35 to go. Ulm's next possession was a Lee Humphrey turnover and Ulm was forced into desperation fouling. Dru Joyce fouled twice to get into the penalty before Winsome Frazier went to the line with 1:25 remaining. With offense for defense substitutions in order to protect several players with four fouls, Ulm attempted their miracle comeback. Frazier sank one of two and Bonn led by 9. Ulm's Dru Joyce attacked the basket and took a hard foul from EJ Rowland. Perfect for Ulm, Dru went to the line trying to score with the clock stopped. Bonn called for time. Out of the timeout, Dru made one of two free throws and Ulm immediately fouled Brandon Bowman with 1:15. Bowman cooly converted both free throws. Bonn led 74-64. Ulm's quick attack swung the ball from Joyce to Fitzgerald to Sebastian Betz open in the left corner. Unfortunately for Ulm, Basti's open three rimmed out and Ulm fouled Bowman once again. This time Bowman missed both but Dru Joyce could not get his transition pull up three to go. Ulm did not give up and fouled EJ Rowland. The Bonn PG effectively ended the game making two free throws to give his team a 76-64 lead with under one minute to play. Continuing to play hard, Ulm's Sebastian Betz finished a strong move and was fouled by Bonn's Alex King. Down ten 76-66, Betz missed his foul shot and King grabbed the rebound. King made both free throws and pushed the score to 78-66 with 50 seconds and a Joyce turnover led to another Betz foul. After Winsome Frazier made both free throws extending the lead to 80-66, Ulm stopped the 'fouling game'. Bonn's Tim Clifford made two free throws for Bonn after picking up a foul from Jeff Gibbs, his fifth ending the Ulm All Star Power Forwards night. Ulm backup center Michael Schroeder cracked the scoring column with a layup in the lane at the 15 second mark. At the final buzzer, Bonn claimed an 82-68 Game 3 win and took the Bundesliga Quarterfinal playoff series with a 3-0 sweep.
ratiopharm Ulm post men Sean Finn and Jeff Gibbs hustle for a fourth quarter loose ball as Bonn's Vincent Yarbrough and Brandon Bowman (15) fight for possession.
Sean Finn led the Ulm attack with a strong 14 point 14 rebound double double and Jeff Gibbs added 12 points 6 rebounds 4 assists. For the game, Ulm shot 42% from the floor, hit 4 of 15 threes and made 16 of 30 free throws (53%). Bonn was led by Brandon Bowman's game best 24 point night. Winsome Frazier added 13 points and EJ Rowland chipped in 11 points in the Bonn win. Bonn shot 48% from the floor including 5 of 16 threes and 25 for 36 (69%) at the foul line.
ratiopharm Ulm forward Dan Fitzgerald sinking a key free throw in an Ulm run.
With the hardfought Game 3 road loss in Bonn, ratiopharm Ulm's exciting 2008-2009 season came to an end. A season filled with many highlights, Ulm gained valuable experience in their first Bundesliga playoff appearance. The hard lessons learned in their series against Bonn are tremendous building blocks for the future. Entering the playoffs without post-season experience, Ulm improved game by game by game against Bonn playing their most complete game in their strong Game 3 performance. ratiopharm Ulm can take pride in a great Game 3 effort that closed a great season.
Immediately following their hardfought Game 3 loss, ratiopharm Ulm claps to their fans and go into the stands to say thank you for their enthusiastic support.
Thank you for following all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
