TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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83
Ulm Falls to Frankfurt!
The difference between a win and a loss can be small --- a game could boil down to a point or a play and adding high intensity to two hot teams can lead to a decisive boiling point. Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, ratiopharm Ulm and Deutsche Bank Skyliners went nose to nose in an exciting midseason matchup that showcased heated action, talented players and cool plays. At the end, experience and depth made the difference as the Skyliners edged Ulm 87-83 in an exciting game filled with competition and opportunities. Six Skyliners reached double figures in a balanced team offensive attack as Frankfurt shot 51% from the floor, but it was the intense Frankfurt defense which which limited Ulm to 39% shooting and keyed the hardfought road win. Sometimes the difference between winning and losing comes down to makes or misses and what each team does when they have the ball in their hands. Ulm's terrific team effort came up just short to a strong Skyliner team who made the big play.
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs and teammates went to great lengths to win Saturdays game but experience and depth from Frankfurt made the difference in their 87-83 road win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
Click here for Photo Gallery from Ulm v Skyliners game!
Both teams understood the significance of Saturdays midseason matchup. An Ulm win would give them a 3 game advantage over the Skyliners with just over half the season remaining. A Frankfurt victory would pull them over .500 and narrow the margin to one game. Finally, healthy and at full strength, the Skyliners entered Sportszentrum Kuhberg with full confidence following last weekend solid road win in Bremerhaven and last Wednesdays strong midweek performance in their narrow loss to Euro power Khimky Moscow at home. Along with their recent run of good form, Saturdays game took on special meaning as current Skyliner post man Maksym Shtein returned to Ulm where he made his mark over the past seasons. Certainly, from the Skyliner perspective, Head Coach Murat Didin and his men appreciated the game and its full meaning.
THREE IS A CROWD! Skyliners team defense was outstanding on Saturday night, limiting Ulm to 39% from the floor and making things tough on Ulm players like Jeff Gibbs.
And after last seasons exciting games which saw Frankfurt win on a buzzer beater and Ulm win in overtime, all expectations pointed to another great game. The experienced Coach Didin emphasized respecting ratiopharm Ulm and enjoying the terrific Sportszentrum Kuhberg atmosphere. Meanwhile, Ulm aimed to follow up Thursdays German Cup win in Trier with a big home win over Frankfurt. To accomplish this challenging goal, Ulm looked to rely on a strong team effort and energized home crowd. With Frankfurt feeling good about their healthy and reloaded roster and Ulm winning 7 of their last 8 games, Saturday's matchup had all the makings of a third consecutive excellent Ulm-Frankfurt contest. Clearly, both teams understood the meaning of Saturdays game and entered Sportszentrum Kuhberg on a mission for victory.
Former Ulm post man Maksym Shtein was well received in his return to Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
Once again, ratiopharm Ulm faced the talented and deep Skyliners shorthanded and banged up. Starting point guard Kyle Bailey remained sidelined as his fractured thumb continued to make progress in healing. Rookie point guard has taken the reigns as backup QB and done a fantastic job in his first two Bundesliga starts against Tubingen last week and Thursday in Trier in the German Cup. In this game, the rookie from University of Akron would be tested by German National team guard and outstanding playmaker Pascal Roller. Meanwhile, Ulm's All Star small forward Konrad Wysocki still played through the pain of back spasms with great fighting spirit for his Ulm team. Against the twelve-deep-with-talent Skyliners, Ulm's team was ready for the challenge.
Ulm's EJ Gallup scans the floor during Saturday nights game. Gallup scored 16 points including 5 straight down the stretch helping Ulm's comeback attmept.
Early action tipped off with focus from both teams. Frankfurt Head Coach Murat Didin mixed his matchups starting with one of the Bundesliga's best defenders Koko Archibong hounding Jeff Gibbs. The game within the game was intriguing Saturday as several matchups provided fans fantastic excitement. A main point of the Skyliner game plan was focused on Jeff Gibbs and the Ulm post men. Skyliners players worked extremely hard on the low post for position and rotated in help well. As both teams found the rhythm of the game, Ulm edged ahead and held a 9-7 early lead. Suddenly, sparked by rookie Dru Joyce, the hosts exploded on an 11-2 first quarter run. After sinking two free throws, Dru stepped into a passing lane in the front line of the Ulm press. Poking loose the pass and tracking down the steal in the left corner, Dru instantly brought the Ulm crowd into the game with a thunderbolt threeball. The battle-tested Skyliners kept their composure through the run and finished the first quarter strong as Jimmy McKinney buried a contested buzzer beating three from the right corner to trim the deficit to 23-17 after one.
Ulm rookie point guard Dru Joyce was once again strong as he topscored against the Skyliners with 20 points 6 rebounds 7 assists including 3 of 4 from three point range.
Quarter two saw the tempo of the game change. Frankfurt went with a halfcourt trap into zone defense most possessions and Ulm missed several open looks. At the other end, recently signed Skyliner center Ken Johnson, the former Ohio State big man with NBA experience, scored 5 straight points closing the gap to 25-22 Ulm. Moments later Frankfurt PG Pascal Roller drilled a game tying J to even the score at 27. Ilian Evtimov wheeled in the lane for a running hook helping Skyliners take a 29-27 lead. Foul trouble mounted against Ulm as officials whistled 12 fouls against the hosts and 6 against the guests. For Ulm, Jeff Gibbs, Bryan Lucas, Dru Joyce and Konrad Wysocki all picked up two first half fouls and center Sean Finn was called for three. But Ulm's bench made an impact and gave good effort to help the team. Later in the second, back up Ulm post man Florian Mobius buried a left wing three and Konrad Wysocki finished in the lane to rebuild a 37-33 Ulm advantage. Ulm maintained their lead and when Sean Finn defended Evtimov on the block in the first half's final possession, Ulm took a 42-39 lead into the halftime lockerroom.
Ulm post man Bryan Lucas played strong inside scoring 11 points with 7 boards and was a central figure in his teams comeback attempt.
At the half, Ulm had hit 37% from the floor but the aggressive and active Skyliner post defense limited the Ulm offense to only 6 of 13 shots in the lane and the Ulm offense responded making 7 of 19 three point attempts. Ulm did outrebound the Skyliners 25-12 in the first twenty minutes but the main focus at halftime was adjusting to the rotating and helping Frankfurt defense aiming to pound the ball inside. Meanwhile, Skyliners offense capitalized on their opportunities making 50% from the floor but only 2 for 7 from three. Overall, the game unfolded as expected with two focused teams competing with high intensity and interesting strategy.
Ulm captain Emeka Erege gave his team excellent defense down the stretch.
The third quarter developed into outstanding basketball. Jeff Gibbs powered to an early basket which was answered by a Ken Johnson tipdunk of a Pascal Roller miss. The Frankfurt floor general began to make his mark on the game early in the second half. Trailing 44-42, the German National team player buried a big three to give Frankfurt a 45-44 lead. Konrad Wysocki answered and both teams competed on both ends in a fan's game. The exciting and intense back and forth game saw teams exchange baskets and fight for control of the lead. With Ulm up one 60-59, Jimmy McKinney sank a clutch three putting Frankfurt back up 62-60. But a a 5-2 finish to the third quarter gave the hosts a 65-64 lead heading into the fourth.
Sean Finn finishes strong inside against the Skyliners in Saturdays game. Finn scored 5 points with 2 rebounds 2 assists on perfect shooting. Most important, he played excellent post defense for Ulm.
In the fourth, the Deutsche Bank Skyliners depth and experience made a difference. Both teams gave everything they had and the fans saw the lead change five times in the first few minutes. With every possession valuable, the experience and leadership of Frankfurt point guard Pascal Roller proved priceless. As the Skyliners held a slim 72-70 lead, several exciting possessions took place. Head Coach Murat Didin intelligently adjusted his lineup to small and athletic spreading out the Ulm team. Roller used his dribble, played from ballscreens and made excellent decisions to help ingnite a key Frankfurt run. During this time, the hosts suffered several empty possessions which were the result of excellent defense from the Skyliners and simple missed shots including a Konrad Wysocki three which went in, out and around the rim before coming off. A Roller three extended their advantage to 77-70 with 5 minutes remaining. Ulm adjusted their lineup with Emeka Erege re-entering the action. While the Skyliners built their lead to 81-75, it was Roller's decision-making, playmaking and clutch pull up three that left an impact on the game. After a timeout, Ulm responded. Four straight defensive stops including two 24 second shot clock violations demonstrated the Ulm players great effort. On the other end, EJ Gallup finished a layup in the lane as Ulm moved the ball well off an offensive rebound. The following a fantastic Erege shotblock, Gallup buried a clutch three pulling Ulm within one 81-80. Frankfurt called time. Both teams huddled with the game in the balance creating a fantastic environment for basketball fans. Out of the timeout Ulm needed one stop and Frankfurt needed a score. With one foul to give, Ulm's Dru Joyce immediately used it on the halfcourt inbound setting the stage for the fouling game in moments to come. Ulm dug in defensively looking to stop the Skyliners. But a big Derrick Allen basket gave Skyliners an 83-80 lead. Jeff Gibbs sank two clutch free throws to pull within one 83-82 but McKinney scored again to push the lead to 85-82 with under 20 seconds to play. Taking their final timeout to organize the attack, Ulm moved the ball to halfcourt and re-entered skilled shooting big man Bryan Lucas into the game. Setting their strategy, Ulm designed a play for Lucas to flare for a three point look. Executing well, Joyce fed Lucas who popped free on the right wing from a solid EJ Gallup screen. Working against the hard-charging Allen, Lucas shot faked, dribbled right and pulled a three. He was fouled by Allen, the all star forwards 5th awarding Lucas three free throws and a chance to tie. 14 seconds remained as Bryan stepped to the line. Ulm trailed 85-82 --- three shots. A 72% free throw shooter for the season, Lucas did an excellent job creating the opportunity for Ulm to even the game. Unfortunately, the hardworking Ulm post man missed the first shot. Regaining his composure, Lucas sank the key second shot to keep Ulm hope alive. Trailing 85-83, Lucas executed a set play for an intentional miss from the foul line. Amazingly, the ball bounced free right back to Bryan who grabbed the ball off one bounce --- Ulm had new life. Instinctively, Lucas attacked the basket and worked down the left lane line against a physical Skyliner defense. Powering to the basket, Lucas tried to finish through the defense and the tough game-tying attempt rimmed out. Skyliner PG Ayinde Ubaka controlled the desperate rebound and was immediately fouled with 2 seconds on the clock. Cooly, Ubaka sank both foul shots extending the Skyliner lead to 87-83. A last gasp, fullcourt play was deflected by Skyliner defense and as the ball bounced freely into the Ulm backcourt the final buzzer sounded ending Frankfurt's hardfought 87-83 win.
For the third time in three meetings, ratiopharm Ulm and Deutsche Banks Skyliners have competed in games that have come down to the final possession. Frankfurt won on a buzzer beater October 1, 2006 before Ulm won in OT last January 20th. Saturday's hardfought Frankfurt win adds to the terrific games between the teams. Both teams could hold their head high after the efforts on Saturday night. In the end, Frankfurts experience and depth became factors. As a result of Roller's performance and intense team defensive effort, Skyliners earned better shots than the Ulm team and in such a tight game that became a big difference. Final shooting percentages tell the tale --- Ulm shot 39% from the floor while the victorious Skyliners sank 51%. Ulm's effort was clearly visible on the boards where they outrebounded Frankfurt 40-28. Throughout the competitive action, both teams had many chances and Saturday night, it was the Skyliners who made their chances count. Rookie Point guard Dru Joyce was once again strong for Ulm topscoring with 20 points 6 rebounds 7 assists including 3 of 4 three point shooting. EJ Gallup was also solid scoring 16 points with 4 threes and spearheading Ulm's late run with 5 points on big baskets. Konrad Wysocki added 13 points 6 boards while both Jeff Gibbs (10 points 7 rebounds) and Bryan Lucas (11 points 7 boards) gave tremendous effort. Six Skyliners scored in double figures led by Pascal Roller's 18 points 4 rebound 5 assist game along with 16 points 4 rebounds from Jimmy McKinney, 15 points 4 rebounds from Derrick Allen, 11 points apiece from Ken Johnson and Koko Archibong and 10 from Ilian Evtimov.
For the third time Ulm and Frankfurt have competed to the final possession.
Now 9-6 on the season ratiopharm Ulm enters the All Star break. The team will maintain a regular practice schedule early in the upcoming week before breaking for next weekend. Konrad Wysocki will represent Ulm at January 19th's Bundesliga All Star day at SAP Arena in Mannheim as he starts for the South team at Small forward and will compete in the slam dunk contest. Teammate EJ Gallup will aim to claim the three point contest crown. Ulm returns to action January 26th when they travel to Bonn. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
