TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
81 
77 OT
FOUR-TITUDE!
ratiopharm Ulm overturned a 6 point deficit in overtime for an exciting 81-77 comeback win over the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Winning their 4th game in a row, ratiopharm Ulm improved to 9-9 and remains in 8th place heading into the All-Star Break. Trailing 77-76 with 30 seconds remaining in OT, Jonathan Levy scored the games final 5 points with a money three and two free throws to ice the victory. Finding a way to win, ratiopharm Ulm takes special satisfaction from the excellent team result after their heartbreaking last-second defeat in Frankfurt at Ballsporthalle in the season-opener. Playing with an attitude to win their 4th straight and demonstrating the heart to get it done, Saturday night, ratiopharm Ulm showed "Four-titude"!
Ulm's Jonathan Levy listens to the roar of the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd before stepping to the line to ice the game with two intentional foul free throws with 2 seconds remaining in his teams 81-77 overtime upset of the Deutsche Bank Skyliners!
click here for Box Score Ulm v Frankfurt
click here for Ulm vs Skyliners Photo Gallery!
After suffering their heartbreaking loss in their "first" Bundesliga game in Frankfurt earlier this season, ratiopharm Ulm entered Saturday's game seeking revenge. However, Skyliners had upgraded their roster adding two new big men (Mike Benton and Mike Bauer) making their frontcourt look like a basketball Skyline when compared with undersized Ulm. While Bauer would not play due to his one-day prior arrival from Pau-Orthez in France, Frankfurt did have athletic power forward Kevin Johnson available after the former Tulsa University star was injured in the Game Day 1 Ulm @ Skyliners game in Frankfurt. But Saturday night was not about size; the game Saturday night was about heart. Undersized, underdog Ulm --- who gave everything they had to upset the favored Skyliners in the first game --- would not sneak up on anyone this time. Would the memories of their heartbreaking defeat linger? Did the team have the heart to bounce back and finish the game in the rematch. Like the pregame thought from a Boxing Legend quoted in the Ulm lockerroom read:
"Winning ain't always about the knockout. Sometimes it's about getting back up".
Ulm captain Emeka Erege finishes this transition layup in the first half. Emeka reached double figures with 10 points in the win.
As the game tipped off, both Ulm and the Skyliners competed with excellent intensity. Action started fast with both teams sprinting out in transition. Skyliner athleticism was immediately apparent --- a long, athletic, mobile team, Frankfurt was extremely effective pressuring ballhandlers and contesting passing lanes. The depth of their roster allowed them to increase their intensity and keep fresh players on the floor. With big, athletic shot blockers packing the paint, Ulm made strong plays in the lane. Getting defensive stops that ignited their break, Ulm looked to convert offense from their defense. After 4 minutes, Ulm was able to take their first lead 8-6. Foreshadowing a sign of things to come, Ulm guard Jonathan Levy buried a right wing three and found his offensive rhythm with skillfull pullup jumpers. His outstanding athleticism allowed him to out-leap the Skyliners defensive rebounders for a head-at-rim-level tip in for two. Along with Levy, Ulm captain Emeka Erege started strong in the first quarter. Emeka's excellent open court effort saw him sprint the left sideline, take a pass and outrace the Skyliner transition defenders for a flowing fastbreak layup. After one well-played quarter, Ulm held a 21-20.
From the opening tip Ulm and Frankfurt competed with intensity!
Individual talent for Frankfurt was visible. As the second quarter began, point guard Eric Chatfield made his presence felt. The clutch shooter who knocked down the buzzer beating dagger against Ulm in Game Day 1, reminded the Kuhberg crowd of his lethal weapon --- his J. Chatfield sank two threes in the first half and finished with 10 points. In the paint, Travon Bryant was effective adding 9 points 5 boards in the first half. But after Frankfurt edged ahead 25-21 from a 5-0 start to the second quarter, Ulm made their move. Outscoring the Skyliners 19-8 for the remainder of the first half, Ulm took a 40-33 lead into the halftime lockerroom.
In the first half, Ulm shot 44% (17-38) from the floor and 3 for 3 from the foul line while outrebounding Frankfurt 20-14 in the first 20 minutes. Frankfurt shot 37% (11 for 29) but made a perfect 9 of 9 from the foul line. Ulm's discussed several ideas to improve their play in the second half but after their Game Day 1 experience everyone understood that this was a 40 minute game. As it would turn out, everyone would be treated to more that 40 minutes with bonus basketball.
ratiopharm Ulm big man Bryan Lucas finished strong inside scoring important baskets in the second half and overtime. Lucas continued his quality team play in the paint for Ulm finishing with 14 points 4 rebounds on 6 of 9 shooting.
With the mindset to make a run in place, ratiopharm Ulm returned to the floor. However, it was the Skyliners who returned to the floor on a mission. Ulm did not help themselves in the early third with some sloppy execution and missed several easy opportunities. At this point of the game, play became open-court with several end-to-end opportunities for both teams. 4 minutes into the 3rd and Ulm's 7 point halftime advantage was erased and the game even at 43. Ulm fired back with Jonathan Levy and Bryan Lucas getting buckets in the key third quarter stretch which saw both teams wrestle for control. Finishing the third with the bench on the floor, Ulm rebuilt some momentum while rebuilding their lead 56-51 at the end of three.
Ulm forward Florian Mobius boosted his team off the bench with a three pointer and tough post defense. Flo has been a spark in the last two big wins!
As expected, Frankfurt answered with big guns Chatfield and Bryant firing. The action tightened and Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans were actively into the game. In a matter of two minutes, the foul count escalated for Ulm to 5 --- Frankfurt was already in the bonus. Skyliners continued their push eventually leveling at 58-58. Needing to slow the Skyliner roll, Ulm went inside to Jeff Gibbs. Drawing a foul, Gibbs sank two free throws providing a two point lead for the home team. Athletic wing Stefano Garris immediately answered knotting the score at 60-60. Back to back buckets from Ian Young and Gibbs gave Ulm a 64-60 lead with just over 4 minutes remaining. But five fast points --- a three from George Reese and inside score from Kevin Johnson instantly regained the lead and momentum for the guests. With 3 minutes to play, Ulm now trailed 65-64 --- cue fantastic finish! Bryan Lucas finished strong inside for a big basket which regained a 66-65 lead for Ulm. Needing a defensive stop, Ulm came close, but power forward Kevin Johnson scored on a strong baseline power move through the Ulm defense earning a three point play opportunity. Leading 67-66 with roughly 2 minutes remaining, Frankfurt's KJ rimmed out the free throw attempt.
Now ratiopharm Ulm's hardwork and teamwork payed off. Maybe more important, their perseverance and heart showed through! Captain Emeka was fouled shooting a three from the right corner. Down one with three shots, it was fitting Emeka would be at the foul line in crunch time after Ulm's Game Day 1 experience. Unfortunately for Ulm, Erege clanked his first two free throws. Getting himself together, he cooly sank the final free throw and tied the score at 67. After a Skyliner turnover, Bryan Lucas drew a foul and buried both free throws giving Ulm a 69-67 lead. But as expected, Frankfurt's answer came in the form of Eric Chatfield who sank a clutch shot to tie the game at 69 and send it to overtime.
After Frankurt's George Reese got hot in OT, an Ulm matchup change neutralized the clutch Skyliner scorer. While Reese scored 6 straight points over tough Emeka Erege D, Konrad Wysocki kept him in check helping Ulm get stops.
Identifying their matchup of strength, Skyliner coaches were of the opinion that their offense should go through small forward George Reese posting up and going one on one in isolation against Ulm captain Emeka Erege. Frankfurt first posted Reese on the left block where he faced up Erege and sank a J. After an Ulm empty possession, Frankfurt marched right down the floor and put the ball right back into the hands of Reese against Erege again on the block. Reese powerfully maneuvered against Erege's stiff defense, spun with skill and drilled a contested 18 footer in Emeka's eye. Feeding off the big Reese buckets, Skyliner defensive pressure picked up and stifled the Ulm attack. Another miss gave Frankfurt chance to go back to Reese again on the block. Facing up for a third straight opportunity, Reese demonstrated his "big shot" ability by burying a shot over tough D. After seeing the Skyliners zip to a six point lead in the first three minutes, ratiopharm Ulm regrouped with a timeout. 2 minutes of overtime remained and Ulm trailed 77-71. At this time, Konrad Wysocki re-entered the action with intentions of neutralizing Reese on the block. Wysocki's size and energy were the next defensive adjustment for Ulm to help themselves get a stop. Meanwhile, the Ulm offense needed to get started. Focusing on execution, strong plays against pressure and attacking the rim, Ulm's set from the timeout resulted in a Jeff Gibbs bucket inside cutting the deficit to 77-73. Ulm's Kuhberg crowd was SO loud, it became a 6th defender. The crowd and Wysocki inspired Ulm to register stops, infact, the Skyliners would not score again. After the defensive stop and strong Lucas rebound, Ulm ran out in transition with point guard Austen Rowland pushing the ball up the left sideline. Spotting Konrad Wysocki alone, the ball was advanced and Wysocki lined up a left corner three. Although the shot missed, Konrad was knocked flat by a Frankfurt defender which drew a whistle and three free throws. A HUGE break for Ulm, Wysocki could now make an impact on offense. With cool composure, Konrad stepped to the line and sank three consecutive clutch free throws cutting the score to 77-76. Defense and misses characterized the next possessions. After an Ulm stop, Jeff Gibbs was fouled on the baseline. Following his captains lead, Gibbs missed the two free throw attempts. Hustling for the rebound, Ulm regained possession. Seconds later, Levy was fouled. Now Jono had a chance to regain the lead. Following the example of his captain, Levy left both foul shots. Amazingly, in the mad scramble to get the rebound, Skyliners top young point guard talent Rudy Mbemba collected the ball. Suddenly, Rudy tumbled over backwards as he tripped over Jeff Gibbs who was lying on the floor after diving for the loose ball. Unable to see Gibbs, Mbemba lost control of the ball when he hit the deck and he and Skyliner teammates helplessly watched the ball roll out of bounds on the left baseline with 32 seconds remaining.
Ulm's Jonathan Levy is fouled from behind on this game capping dunk attempt by Skyliner wing Stefano Garris. Ruled an intentional foul, Levy iced the 81-77 upset win with two free throws with 2 seconds remaining.
Alertly, Ulm captain recommended a play and the Ulm team immediately positioned themselves. After outstanding execution and a solid Jeff Gibbs screen, Jonathan Levy popped open on the left wing. Levy took Rowlands pass and fired a three. With a knack for making clutch shots, Levy knocked it down and the entire Kuhberg crowd sprung up! With a deafening roar, Ulm captured a 79-77 lead with a just under 30 seconds to play. Frankfurt advanced the ball and the 6th man Kuhberg fans brought just as much intensity and energy as the Ulm defenders on the floor. Working off a ballscreen, Skyliners attempt to tie rimmed out. 8 seconds left, Jeff Gibbs skied for the board powerfully gaining possession in traffic. With one dribble busting out of the lane away from Frankfurt foul attempts, Gibbs spotted teammate Levy running out on the right side behind the defense. Intelligently Gibbs floated a pass ahead for Jono to run-under to waste time. Looking to put the finishing touches on a fantastic game, Levy raced under the ball and rose to the rim for a punctuating slam. Showing hustle and effort, Frankfurt wing Stefano Garris challenged the shot from behind in a play whistled as an intentional foul. With two shots plus possession and already sitting on a two point lead, the Kuhberg crowd errupted as the upset victory was two seconds away. Levy made both free throws and Ulm entered the ball to Rowland who dribbled out the clock sending Sportszentrum Kuhberg into a frenzy!
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs (with son Trey) were featured on this post game radio interview.
Jonathan Levy led Ulm with a terrific 25 point effort while Bryan Lucas added 14 points 4 boards and Jeff Gibbs powered his way to 12 points 17 rebounds in the win. Emeka Erege also reached double figures with 10 points. Point guard Austen Rowland distributed 9 assists to 1 turnover! Ulm shot 41% (30-73) from the floor and 69% (16-23) from the foul line while outrebounding Frankfurt 44-30. Ulm also handed out 16 assists compared to 13 turnovers against strong Skyliner pressure D. Frankfurt shot 43% (29-66) from the floor and 82% (14-17) from the line as Travon Bryant (18 points 9 rebounds), Eric Chatfield (16 points 5 rebounds) and Stefano Garris (16 points) led their point production.
An important win for Ulm, beating the Skyliners by 4 gives Ulm head to head tie-break ("direct comparison") which is especially sweet after the heartbreak from the buzzer beating loss game day 1. For Ulm, Saturday's win, their 4th in a row, was a result of heart and fortitude. This victory also evens Ulm's record at 9-9 as the team heads into the All Star Break.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
