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ratiopharm Ulm Splits Weekend Exhibition games! ratiopharm Ulm completed two more competitive exhibition games this weekend as the team continues its preseason build up toward Bundesliga tipoff October 6th. Friday afternoon, Ulm topped BG Karlsruhe 88-86 before trekking across the Rhein-river border into Strasbourg France for a terrific Saturday evening contest which saw their second-half comeback fall just short in an 84-76 loss to the French power.
ratiopharm Ulm Tops Karlsruhe Friday! Friday afternoon at Wildparkhalle, ratiopharm Ulm topped BG Karlsruhe 88-86 in a competitive preseason game. Ulm overcame a slow start with a strong second quarter before breaking the game open in the third and holding off a Karlsruhe rally for the 88-86 win. Ulm's Konrad Wysocki topscored with 20 points in the teams balanced attack as EJ Gallup added 15, Kyle Bailey 11 and Bryan Lucas and Sebastian Betz 10 points apiece. Karlsruhe, who are predicted to be a strong competitor in Pro A after being relegated from the Bundesliga last season, started fast and built an early lead behind guard Clifford Crawford. Karlsruhe's lead stretched to 11 points early in the game. Ulm responded with 7 first quarter points from Bryan Lucas and 5 from Konrad Wysocki but it was the hosts who held a lead after one. Kyle Bailey sparked the Ulm second quarter run with 8 straight points sinking two threes and a pull up J. Bailey's three ball gave Ulm their first lead at 27-25 early in quarter two. As the half finished, Ulm's changing defenses gave Karlsruhe problems and effective execution helped Ulm find their rhythm. Forcing several turnovers in the closing minutes of the first half, Ulm turned momentum. As the teams went to the half, the game was even at 43. Throughout the third quarter, Ulm built their lead outscoring Karlsruhe 21-16 especially receiving a spark from the bench with excellent defensive work. Sebastian Betz drilled a three and followed it with a cutting basket for five straight points to close the third. Behind strong offensive work and defensive stops, Ulm stretched their lead to 81-70 on a Konrad Wysocki three pointer before Karlsruhe fought back. Down the stretch, EJ Gallup and Konrad Wysocki sank clutch free throws and Alexander Ruack made two desparation threes to trim the final score to 88-86. Ulm improved to 4-0 in the preseason against Pro A teams and took quality preparation from each game against the German second league opponents.
Ulm's Konrad Wysocki, here slashing to the basket against Karlsruhe last season, was in excellent form Friday topscoring with 20 points in the win. ratiopharm Ulm: Gallup (15 Points), Betz (10), Bailey (11), Wysocki (20), Joyce (7), Sprünken, Erege (5), Gibbs (7), Finn (3), Lucas (10).
Ulm Comeback Comes up short in Strasbourg! ratiopharm Ulm staged a tremendous second half comeback Saturday night at Centre sportif de Geispolsheim in Strasbourg France only to come up short 84-76 to the powerful French Pro A team. Trailing by as many as 12 points, Ulm pulled even at 72 with 5 minutes to play before taking the lead 74-72 on two Bryan Lucas free throws. But down the stretch, Eddie Shannon scored 6 points, grabbed 2 defensive rebounds and came up with a key steal in the last two minutes of Saturdays game to seal the win for Strasbourg. Certainly Strasbourg was an outstanding test for Ulm in the preseason and allowed the second year Bundesliga squad to challenge themselves. Strasbourg is a team with fantastic tradition including French Pro A champs 2005, Euroleague participant 2006 and have already beaten Bundesliga opponents Bonn 80-64, Frankfurt 83-66 and Leverkusen 81-73. Through the first few minutes of action, Strasbourg held a 10-9 lead before several Ulm defensive breakdowns allowed easy baskets in a 13-7 run as the hosts to stretch their advantage to 23-16 after one. Strasbourg's accurate perimeter shooting helped them hold their lead. The Ulm bench rallied the team as Captain Emeka Erege and Sebastian Betz sparked a mid-second quarter surge which helped stabalize the game. After the 25-23 quarter, Strasbourg took a 48-39 halftime lead. In the halftime lockerroom, Ulm addressed several preseason issues and refocused on helping themselves win. Aiming for an improved performance in the second half, Ulm returned to the floor with fire. Behind Jeff Gibbs, Ulm scrapped back into the game starting with a small step pulling to 54-46 with 5 minutes remaining in the third. Competing well, Ulm trimmed the deficit to four, 60-56 after three. It was Dru Joyce's buzzer beater, a runner from 30 feet, which gave Ulm momentum as the quarter came to a close. Early in the fourth, EJ Gallup's 8 straight points who pulled Ulm even at 72 with an even 5 minutes to play. On the next possession, Bryan Lucas drew a foul and sank two free throws to give Ulm a 74-72 lead. Ulm's blue-collar comeback put them in a fantastic position, challening the former Euroeleague team in the final minutes. Down the stretch, it was Strasbourg's Eddie Shannon who made the difference. Consecutive turnovers from Ulm gave Strasbourg control and Shannon made it count. Clean looks rimmed out for Ulm and free throws swished in for Strasbourg setting the final score at 84-76. Statistically, Strasbourg shot 53% from the floor and 39% (7 for 18) from three in the win. Ulm hit 46% from the floor and 27% from three (7 for 26). Ulm outrebounded Strasbourg 36-27 but suffered a 27-12 foul count against them from the french referees which led to a 21-27 (78%) to 7-11 (64%) free throw disparity. Bryan Lucas (7 boards) and EJ Gallup shared topscoring honors with 15 points apiece while Jeff Gibbs added 13 points 7 boards in the hardfought effort. Sebastian Betz continued his excellent weekend play adding 9 points and Kyle Bailey and Konrad Wysocki totaled 7 points apiece. For Strasbourg, point guard Eddie Shannon was outstanding scoring 25 points, 3 steals and 3 rebounds. Kevin Houston added 15 points 5 rebounds and Derrick Obasohan chipped in 11 points 5 rebounds. Both teams enjoyed the excellent comptition and took quality preparation from the game. Strasbourg opens their French Pro A season next week while ratiopharm Ulm travels to Prostejov Czech Republich for the Prostejov Open preseason tournament.
Strasbourg's Eddie Shannon was outstanding in Saturday nights game scoring 25 points including this layup as Ulm's Kyle Bailey looks on. ratiopharm Ulm: Gallup (15), Betz (9), Bailey (7pt 4reb), Wysocki (7pt 4reb), Joyce (4), Sprünken, Erege (4pt 4reb), Gibbs (13pt 7reb), Finn (2), Lucas (15pt 7reb). Strasbourg: Eddie Shannon 25pt 5reb, Derrick Obasohan 11pt 3reb, Kevin Houston 15pt 5reb, Jai Lewis 8pt 3reb, Rob Lewin 4, Darrigand 8, Sacha Giffa 7, John McCord 6pt 5reb. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm baketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com! GO ULM! MIKE T
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