TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
72 
65
ULM-BELIEVABLE!
ratiopharm Ulm captured their third consecutive victory with an impressive 72-65 road win over arch-rival Walter Tigers Tubingen Sunday evening at Tubingen Arena. In a game of runs, it was Ulm's 18-0 third quarter burst that made the difference. Big men Bryan Lucas (17 points 11 boards) and Jeff Gibbs (19 points 6 rebounds) spearheaded the offensive attack as ratiopharm Ulm completed the first half of the Bundesliga regular season with a surprising 8-9 record. The young Ulm team has taken positive steps forward through the first half of the year and continues to gain self-confidence, pride and belief. Entering the season with many doubters and few believers, ratiopharm Ulm's three game win streak, 8 wins and big road victory in Tubingen is one thing ---- ULM-BELIEVABLE!
Ulm C Bryan Lucas led the way to victory with 17 points 11 rebounds and hustling defense. Lucas carried Ulm in the first half and made big baskets in the second half helping to seal the win!
click here for Box Score Ulm @ Tubingen
click here for Ulm @ Tubingen photo gallery
Sunday in Tubingen, one of the best basketball rivalries in Germany was renewed as ratiopharm Ulm tipped off against Badem Wurtenburg neighbor Walter Tigers Tubingen. With a long history of head to head matchups including several classics in their last two meetings of 2003-2004 while members of the 2.Bundesliga South, Sunday's Bundesliga Game Day 17 battle was the first chance for fans in South Germany to see this Classic Rivalry. For several personalities within the Ulm lockerroom, Sunday's game was the first chance for revenge.
With a fantastic environment in Tubingen Arena, both Ulm and Tubingen fans were well prepared for the renewal of this rivalry. Pounding drums, chanting songs, battling fan blocks, the energy set the tone as teams went through layup lines and warmups well before tip off. A strong home court team, the Tigers took the floor hungry to snap their 4 game losing streak. Meanwhile, Ulm aimed to continue with their positive progress and build on their back to back home wins. One thing was for certain, as with any rivalry game, throw the records out the window and prepare for 40 minutes head to head intensity on the floor!
Ulm G Jonathan Levy would not be denied on this three point play in the paint. Levy sparked Ulm with 15 points including several clutch baskets. His excellent defense was a key factor in Ulm's win!
As action opened, teams traded baskets and settled into the flow of the game. Tubingen jumped out to an 11-8 advantage behind the inside play of C Rasko Katic and offensive rebounding from F Matt Kiefer. Meanwhile, Ulm's Jeff Gibbs and Jonathan Levy ignited their offense early. Down three, Ulm's bench made a difference in the first quarter. C Bryan Lucas found his form fast and made immediate impact with excellent work rebounding and drawing fouls inside and drilling threes from outside. Lucas led Ulm's attack on a 10-0 run which forced a Tiger timeout. Along with Lucas, F Konrad Wysocki energized the Ulm team with active cutting to finish and a top of the key three. Gaining momentum with their run, Ulm finished the first quarter positively with an 18-13 lead.
Despite tough Tubingen defense, Ulm F Jeff Gibbs powered his way to 19 points 6 boards in the win. Here, Jeff slams home a beautiful alley-oop from Austen Rowland!
Edging ahead 22-13 early in the second quarter, it was now Tubingen's turn to make a run. With crafty point guard play from veteran Igor Perovic and timely shooting from F Ray Nixon, the Tigers roared back into the game outscoring Ulm 22-8 through the middle portion of the second quarter. Perovic pushed the ball creating opportunities for Tubingen in transition and Nixon buried back to back left wing threes which brought the electric home crowd into the game. Ulm weathered the storm behind powerful play from Jeff Gibbs and big baskets by Jonathan Levy. Working against the Tubingen momentum, Ulm pulled closer at half, heading into the lockerroom down only two 36-34.
Ulm PG Austen Rowland glides to the hoop for a baseline finish. Rowland was sharp as a floor general for Ulm. Rowland tallied 8 points, grabbed 6 boards and dropped 8 dimes.
In the defensive oriented first twenty minutes, both teams played well in spurts. Ulm shot 45% from the floor making 3 of 11 from three (27%) and only 3 of 8 from the line. Meanwhile, Tubingen managed only 38% from the floor and from three (3 for 8) and only 3 of 7 from the foul line. Hardwork on the backboards and 11 offensive rebounds gave Tubingen a 25-21 advantage and Ulm suffered 9 turnovers compared to the Tigers 4. For Ulm, a "40 minute" mentality applied and the team made several adjustments on both ends of the floor to make a difference.
ratiopharm Ulm F Konrad Wysocki added 11 points 6 rebounds in a key roll off the bench.
With good focus intending to dictate play early in the second half, Ulm fell victim to Tubingen's strong push for momentum. Within moments, Tubingen raced to control of the game early in the third. Turnovers and poor execution victimized Ulm as Tubingen rambled to a 44-34 lead before an Ulm timeout. Once Ulm turned the ball over, Tubingen ran out to easy baskets on the fast break. The 8-0 run stunned Ulm and seemed to grant the hosts command.
But out of the timeout things changed. Ulm burst to an 18-0 run and re-asserted themselves in the game. Again, C Bryan Lucas made his presence felt in the lane. Unfortunately, Lucas was forced to leave the floor midway through the 3rd suffering from a calf cramp. Konrad Wysocki slashed and shot to big plays and Jonathan Levy continued to roll. Jeff Gibbs powered his way to buckets in traffic and made a clutch three point play in the paint. As the Ulm bench made its mark on the game, F Florian Mobius put his stamp on the action with one outstanding defensive possession. This game against Tubingen meant alot to the longest tenured Ulmer and Flo demonstrated his determination with three fantastic shot blocks on one tremendous stand. The inspiring play from Mobius brought even more momentum to Ulm's surge. Ulm's 23-13 third quarter provided a 57-49 margin heading into the fourth quarter. But as with every Ulm-Tubingen game, Ulm expected a 40 minute contest.
Ulm and Tubingen revived their rivalry Sunday!
As the 4th quarter began, Ulm managed the game well behind quality point guard play from Austen Rowland. Big baskets and cool free throws helped Ulm maintain their lead. Rasko Katic survived 4 fouls to make key baskets in the Tiger comeback. Leading scorer and Go-to-guy AJ Moye found his rhythm and sparked his team. Moye powered his way to opportunities in the paint and sank a smooth turnaround J over tough defense. Matt Kiefer was opportunistic scoring on stickbacks and working hard on the offensive glass. With Ulm holding an 8 point lead, an intentional foul was whistled on Ulm defenders in the lane. Moye made both free throws and when Tubingen's Katic scored on a put back, Ulm's lead was trimmed to 4 at 68-64 with three minutes to play. For the next 2 minutes, Ulm and Tubingen went nose to nose --- no one scored. Intense defense and hustle from both teams characterized the stretch run. But it was Bryan Lucas who came through with the big points, finishing a power move in the paint after a mad scramble for a 50-50 rebound off the rim. Lucas' big bucket boosted Ulm to a 70-64 lead. One Moye free throw brought Tubingen one point closer as the clock ticked under one minute. Austen Rowland put the finishing touches on the outstanding road win for Ulm with two free throws in the final seconds icing the game 72-65.
ratiopharm Ulm fans celebrate the "Sieg"
As Ulm won their 3rd in a row improving to 8-9 at the halfway point in the season, the team can take much pride in their positive progress --- especially with quality wins over the last three weeks. Jeff Gibbs topscored for Ulm with 19 points and 6 rebounds while Bryan Lucas starred scoring 17 points with 11 rebounds in the win. Jonathan Levy made big plays and finished with 15 points for Ulm and Konrad Wysocki chipped in 11 points 6 rebounds off the Ulm bench. For Ulm, little things meant alot as each player contributed to the win. Austen Rowland ran the team well scoring 8 points with 8 assists and 6 boards. Ulm players Emeka Erege, Ian Young, Maksym Shtein, Florian Mobius and Christian Grosse all made positive impact on the game. Ulm shot 42% for the game (but only 5 of 19 from three) and held Tubingen to 36% including 3 of 17 from three (18%). Tubingen outrebounded Ulm 52-42. Ulm suffered only 3 of their 12 turnovers in the second half. For Tubingen, C Rasko Katic led the way scoring 18 points 6 rebounds while Matt Kiefer added 12 points and an impressive 17 boards. AJ Moye (9 rebounds 5 assists) and Ray Nixon pitched in 11 points apiece. Tubingen players Igor Perovic and Jamaal Davis were hampered by injuries throughout the game.
ratiopharm Ulm salutes their fantastic fans!
For ratiopharm Ulm team and fans, Sunday was a special win in Tubingen. A meaningful victory over an arch-rival, Ulm can also take pride in their positive progress over the last few games. With one half of the Bundesliga regular season complete, ratiopharm Ulm has learned many lessons and looks forward to meeting teams again in the second half. Building confidence from step by step success, ratiopharm Ulm believes. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
