Ulm Rallies Past Stuttgart 76-71!
ratiopharm Ulm survived a scare Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg as they rallied past an upstart Suttgart squad for a hard-earned 76-71 2.Bundesliga South win. A victory filled with effort, the game was not pretty and did not come easy for Ulm who relied on strong defense and persistent offense to improve to 4-0 on the season. Jeff Gibbs was a monster on the block scoring a team best 14 points while grabbing an amazing 20 rebounds in the physical game. Captain Emeka Erege added 14 points and 6 boards and Jan Sprunken stepped up in the clutch with cool experienced plays and big buckets on his way to an important 13 points off the bench. Just the way it went, no other Ulm player reached double figures as the team hit 41% from the floor and a mere 3 of 16 (19%) from beyond the arc.
Maksym Shtein drives hard against Stuttgart's Peter Huber-Saffer and draws a foul in the early action of ratiopharm Ulm's 76-71 victory over MTV Stuttgart.
Early on it looked easy as the Ulm offense pushed the ball and produced points at a fast pace. Getting anything they wanted in transition and through pounding the ball inside, Ulm raced out to a 12-5 first quarter lead by attacking the rim and running the floor. On the verge of a ten point lead, appearing on the brink of breaking the game open, a string of silly mistakes allowed the experienced Stuttgart team opportunity to stay in the game. Jeff Gibbs fouled Tom Klemm in the right corner shooting a three point shot and Klemm converted from the line cutting into Ulm's lead. Offensive turnovers and failure to finish in the paint, provided Stuttgart more chance to trim the deficit and pull closer. Colorful scoring guard Radi Tomasevic ignited a small Stuttgart run with rhythmic dribble drives to the basket finished by soft floaters --- the skillful guard made Ulm defenders pay in transition and carried his team early on scoring 9 points in the first quarter's action. Maksym Shtein made strong plays inside drawing two early fouls on skilled big man Peter Huber-Saffer forcing Stuttgart Head Coach Takis Genikomsidis to use subs. Jeff Gibbs took a nice pass off an Emeka Erege penetration and hammered home a powerful two hand dunk electrifying the home crowd like a lightning bolt. Ulm stayed just ahead of Stuttgart through the remainder of the first quarter finishing the opening ten minutes up 25-20.
Gibbs: 14pts 20 rebounds
Ulm maintained their comfortable lead into the second quarter but was unable to crack the hard-charging visitors from Stuttgart. Key reserves entered the game and made a difference as Jan Sprunken and Christian Grosse drilled threes to energize the home Ulmer fans. Unfortunately, the short burst flamed out fast as Ulm finished the first half just 2 for 9 from behind the three point line. While they missed open perimeter looks, Ulm forwards Jeff Gibbs, Emeka Erege and Maksym Shtein pounded the offensive glass. Stuttgart adjusted by packing the paint and when referees decided to let both teams play, action inside became rough and physical. Ulm saw several easy layins or point blank plays rim out. Staying focused, Ulm defense registered stops with Jeff Gibbs doing a fantastic job on the defensive glass --- his strong rebounding and dribble bust out plays triggered Ulm fast breaks. Running the floor, Jonathan Levy caught an alley oop lob pass and dunked it over a hapless Stuttgart defender. Levy also finished a left-block postup to pad Ulm's lead. Off the bench, Florian responded well with exteneded minutes in the first half filling in for Maksym Shtein who was hit with his second foul midway through the second quarter --- Mobius drilled a midrange J and scored on a spinning drive to finish his first half with 8 points and 4 rebounds on 4-7 shooting. Timely three point shots from Tomasevic and skilled big man Andreas Bloch kept Stuttgart close. Ulm's 11 point lead was cut to 8 late in the half when veteran guard Kresimir Miksa buried a momentum-building three for his Stuttgart team. Outscoring Stuttgart 20-16 in the second, Ulm stretched the lead to 9 at the half heading into the lockerroom with a stable 45-36 lead.
At the half, Ulm had shot 46% from the floor and 75% from the line while holding Stuttgart to 40% from the floor and outrebounding the guests 24-11. Stuttgart's three point shooting helped them hang around. Radi Tomasevic (14 points) and Andreas Bloch (10 points) were the catalysts for the visitors. At the half, Gibbs already registered a double double with 11 points and 10 boards for Ulm. Focused on improved offensive execution, taking better care of the basketball, finishing plays in the paint through contact and renewed defensive discipline, ratiopharm Ulm looked forward toward a strong second half as has been their identity early this season.
Stuttgart's colorful Radi Tomasevic (4) holds his follow through as he sinks free throws in the second half against Ulm. The skillful guard finished with 29pts and 4 threes in the game.
Unfortunately, on the first possession, Ulm failed to capitalize on several good looks --- an uncontested Gibbs three, a Maksym Shtein drive and a Jonathan Levy baseline penetration. Giving themselves several chances with strong offensive rebounds, Ulm came up empty; seeing their chance, experienced players in Stuttgart red seized the opportunity. Tomasevic triggered a Stuttgart run with driving And-1 floaters and smooth three point shooting. Point guard Radisa Zdravkovic pushed the ball and penetrated to make plays for his team. Playing in his Stuttgart debut, former Villanova forward Andreas Bloch hit perimeter shots and showed skillful ability to drive and finish from the top of the key. Bloch hit back to back big baskets on his way to a strong 20 point 10 rebound double double in his first game in a Stuttgart uniform. While Stuttgart capitalized, Ulm offense sputtered. While everything seemed easy in the first half, suddenly, in the second half, everything seemed hard.
Bobbled passes leading to turnovers, stepping on out of bounds lines while driving, failing to finish plays in the paint, mistakes in executing the defensive game plan plagued Ulm and all contributed to the Stuttgart comeback. Stagnant on offense, Ulm lost their fluid first half rhythm and saw Stuttgart hit big shots that mounted momentum. But it was a shot that did not go in that sparked Stuttgart the most. With time ticking down in the third quarter, into the last possession and Stuttgart holding for one shot, forward Tom Klemm attempted to drive on Ulm forward Florian Mobius with 8 seconds to go. Playing a solid first half, Mobius (a Stuttgart area native), poked loose a steal as Klemm tried to beat him with a left to right crossover. Mobius recovered the loose ball embarking on a fullcourt last second race against the clock. All alone as the final five seconds ticked off the third quarter clock, Mobius seemed destined to sparj an Ulm run --- just when it seemed Stuttgart would have the last shot and a chance to cut into the Ulm lead, it was Ulm with a chance to extend their lead at the 3rd quarter buzzer. But somewhere on the way something happened. A microcosm of the entire game --- just when they had a chance to do something great, things did not go as planned --- Mobius missed his wide open uncontested dunk clanging the ball off the back of the rim as the buzzer sounded. All in the gym simply could not believe it. The 16-13 third quarter was exactly what Stuttgart wanted and the teams entered the third with Ulm just ahead 58-52.
Clearly upset with the performance adversity, Ulm kept a positive, enthusiastic huddle. Although offensive rhythm was off and too many easy baskets were missed, the struggles were not from lack of effort --- the Ulm players were working hard. Some games are better than others. For Ulm, the fourth quarter was simply about finding a way to win.
Stuttgart continued to charge back in a 10-1 run. Radi Tomasevic hit 2 more three point shots and Andreas Bloch buried a three of his own from the top of the key. Ulm players seemed to press offensively resulting in several uncharacteristic plays. The most laughable was the extremely coordinated and athletically agile Jeff Gibbs falling flat on his face while leading a fast break after slipping on a cross over dribble move at the top of the key. Ulm went without a point for 3 minutes. After a string of empty possessions, Ulm saw their lead evaporate as Stuttgart battled back to the brink of tying the game. Finally, Martin Thuesen was whistled for fouling Tomasevic as he attempted a three pointer and the pudgy shooting guard was awarded three free throws. Radi sank all three pulling upset-minded Stuttgart closer and closer.
Down 63-59, Christian Grosse drilled a left wing jumper, Emeka Erege finished a slashing three point play and Jan Sprunken added two points of his own to rebuild the Ulm lead to 66-63.
On the ensuing possession, a lazy pass from Jeff Gibbs on the right wing intended for Maksym Shtein at the top of the key, was intercepted by passing-lane-playing Peter Huber-Saffer. The Stuttgart bigman collected the loose ball, secured the huge steal and outraced Maksym Shtein the length of the floor for a monster dunk bringing Stuttgart right back with emphasis.
Holding a slim 66-65 with 4:42 to play, ratiopharm Ulm needed to demonstrate poise and execution. An important move for Ulm was subbing shooting wing Jan Sprunken into the game for crunch time. Drawing on his excellent experience, Sprunken made several big plays for his team down the stretch and changing defensive matchups.
Ulm defense registered a critical stop as excellent defensive rotations cut off a baseline drive from Stuttgart's playmaking point man Zdravkovic. Caught in the air along the left baseline, Zdravkovic fired a desperation pass into the lane into the heart of the Ulm defense. An alert Jonathan Levy grabbed the errand pass and pushed the ball on the break instantly changing to offense. As Levy pushed the ball against retreating Stuttgart defenders, the LA-born combo guard veered to the right and got a step on his man. Drawing defenders to him with a strong athletic play, Levy suddenly zipped a pass to a streaking Jan Sprunken cutting to the basket from the left wing. Sprunken finished the fast break with a slicing layup bringing Ulm fans to their feet and forcing a Stuttgart timeout.
Out of the timeout, Ulm players turned the game around. Another defensive stop gave Ulm opportunity to take command --- and the experienced Jan Sprunken would make it count. After executing a set, Ulm moved the ball in motion as the shot clock ran down. A poor pass and near steal had the ball momentarily loose toward half court in front of the Stuttgart bench. Tracking the bouncing ball down, Sprunken wheeled and got his steps from the deep right wing as the shot clock ticked down. Jan "The Gun" lined up the J and fired. The ball hit the rim, bounced high up off the board, bounced off the rim again, settled on the rim and after nearly coming to a complete still stop slowly slipped into the basket. 71-67, Ulm had the control.
The experienced Jan Sprunken, subbed in when it mattered most, went on a personal 5-0 run to regain the lead for his team. The definition of "Team Player", Sprunken made the difference and helped Ulm make a way when they needed to find a way.
Jan Sprunken
Sparked by intense team defense knowing they needed stops, Ulm had forced a decisive 8-2 run giving them a solid 73-68 lead. In the run strong defense forced tough Stuttgart shots and all five Ulm players hungrily rebounded as Emeka Erege secured the ball. With under one minute to play, up four Ulm executed a ballscreen play between Jonathan Levy and Maksym Shtein in a money possession. Screening for Levy to drive middle, the Ukranian center swiftly rolled right down the center of the lane --- Levy put the pass right on the money and Shtein quickly wheeled and layed in a soft right hand bank shot for the clutch two points. Excellent execution and teamwork in winning time.
Up four in the final minute, Max hit one of two free throws making it 74-69. Stuttgart forward Tom Klemm drove hard to the right and hit a big bucket for his team, trimming the lead to one possession at 74-71: Ulm ball with 12.5 seconds to play.
Calling a timeout, Ulm Head coach Mike Taylor advanced the ball to halfcourt and the team set their strategy to finish the game. Out of the timeout, with 12 seconds remainig to play, Ulm executed their sideline out of bounds play and Jan Sprunken found Jeff Gibbs flashing to the ball. Immediately fouled, Gibbs went to the line up 4 with 11 seconds to go. Although Gibbs saw his first free throw pop out, the power forward sank his second to put the lead to 5 at 75-71. Stuttgart rushed the ball up court as the clock ran down. Pushing the ball up court in a quick counter attack, Tomasevic drove hard down the left lane line trying to get a bucket. Hard off the glass, Radi's miss was ripped down by the Ulm center forcing Stuttgart's Tomasevic to wrap up Shtein before being whistled for a foul. Up three with 3 seconds, Max hit one of two free throws making it a two possession game at 76-71. Game Over.
Maksym Shtein (15)seals the win for Ulm as he lays in a beautiful screen-roll feed from Jonathan Levy (5)
Although they came up on the short end of the 76-71 score, Stuttgart should be given credit for their comeback and fighting spirit in the game. Special mention should be made to Radi Tomasevic who was outstanding again in Sportszentrum Kuhberg scoring a game best 29 points including 4 three pointers. Also earning special merit is recently signed forward Andreas Bloch who went for a strong 20 points 10rebounds in his Stuttgart debut. Finally, lets not miss a special mention of Head Coach Takis Genikomsidis who directed the determined Stuttgart attack for the first time after being hired midweek in a coaching change. Overall, Stuttgart is far better than their 0-4 record indicates and the slow start is clearly a result of playing Bayreuth, Heidelberg, Kaiserslautern and Ulm in the first four weeks of the year. As the schedule lightens up and the team adds Americans MTV Stuttgart should rise up the standings in the next weeks.
Meanwhile, Ulm looks to sharpen their game with hardwork on several phases of their game on the practice court ahead of their German Cup game against BBC Bayreuth next Wednesday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Considered a league favorite, Bayreuth will bring a tremendously talented team into Kuhberghalle and the early season Cup game should be an excellent battle between top 2.Bundesliga South teams.
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com
GO ULM!
MIKE T
