Ulm Defense Grinds Out 84-65 Win Over Weiden
Adhering to the old basketball addage of "Offense sells tickets, Defense Wins Games", ratiopharm Ulm relied on a strong team defense to stymie COOCOON Baskets Weiden grinding out an 84-65 2.Bundesliga South win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm Saturday night. Ulm post players carried their team to the victory with two double doubles as power forward Jeff Gibbs produced more impressive numbers with 17 points and 18 rebounds while Center Maksym Shtein also added a strong 14 point 10 rebounds. In a game from both teams that was more solid D than poor shooting, Ulm defense held Weiden to 8 points in the second quarter and limited them to 34% from the field for the game. Improving to 6-0 with the win, ratiopharm Ulm remains in first place in 2.Bundesliga South standings.
Ulm's Martin Thuesen drills a momentum building second half three in Ulm's 84-65 win over COOCOON Baskets Weiden Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
A hardworking Weiden team fresh off a quality home upset win over previously unbeaten USC Heidelberg entered Sportszentrum Kuhberg extremely focused in search of their first 2.Bundesliga South road victory. Head Coach Keith Gray, a German Basketball legend, had his team motivated and prepared for the road trip to Ulm and the 2nd League newcomers from Weiden responded early. Starting an unusually small lineup, Weiden pushed the tempo and attacked in transition as often as possible in the first few minutes of the game. American wings John Bynum and Justin Hall aggressively looked to score and point guard Marco Grimaldi penetrated to make plays. Ulm pounded the ball inside in order to capitalize on their advantages in the paint. Jeff Gibbs powered through for two and Maksym Shtein scored and drew fouls with strong plays in the lane. Ulm edged ahead by a point or two but a determined Weiden team stayed close. Rubbing off a UCLA screen, Ulm PG Martin Thuesen took a fine entry pass on the right block, pivoted and snuck in a quick-bank lay-in along the right baseline behind the Weiden defense.
Changing defenses, Ulm switched to various presses and zones by the mid first quarter. Not a particulary consistent perimeter shooting team, Weiden moved the ball well against the zone and continued to search for penetrating opportunities. Responding to the challenge, Ulm defenders contained the ball well. Marco Grimaldi sparked his Weiden teammates hitting a Gibbs-contested late shot clock three from the right wing --- fortunately for Ulm, it would be the only first half trifecta for the vistors as Weiden shot 1-8 from behind the arc in the first 20 minutes. But the tough shot kept Weiden close. Extra effort on the offensive boards produced extra offensive possessions for Weiden and soon they cashed in. Skilled post man Damian Matacz, a surprise non-starter, came off Weiden's bench to produce immediately. Matacz backed down againt Maksym Shtein and finished with good footwork from either block. Robert Dill was also active in the paint and on the offensive boards. For Ulm, ball movement was positive but execution was slightly off. Christian Grosse entered the game immediately drilling two threes. By the end of one quarter, Ulm held a slim 22-19 lead.
Outworking the home team on the boards, Weiden hustled for loose balls and 50-50 rebounds as they captured 10 offensive boards in the first half (4 by Bynum and 3 by Dill). Weiden's John Bynum continued to attack in transition or using strong drives from the perimeter. Ulm defense persevered against the upstart "aufstiegers" from Weiden --- although they allowed Weiden 10 offensive boards in the first half, Ulm limted Weiden to 31% from the floor in the first twenty minutes. Unfortunately, Ulm offense could not generate their regular rhythm. Easy finishes were left unfinished. Open jumpshots were left un-hit. Shots hanging on the rim that usually fell in rimmed out. Somehow --- mostly due to defensive stops and mounting fouls on a physical Weiden squad --- Ulm slowly began to build their lead.
Playing well all game long, Weiden defenders shut down this Emeka Erege drive surrounding "the Captain" in Ulm's win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
But on the brink of breaking the game open, Ulm players took several uncharacteristic quick shots resulting in empty possessions --- a missed three from Jan Sprunken, a forced 1 on 3 fast break drive from the left wing from Jonathan Levy and a quick right corner three off one pass in motion from Emeka Erege played right into the opponents hands. Weiden worked back. After an Ulm timeout to settled down and refocus the shot selection, Ulm finished the first half strong with a late second quarter surge that pushed the halftime lead to ten. Christian Grosse drove hard along the left baseline and slipped a smooth pass between defenders to a cutting Maksym Shtein. Slicing right down the middle of the defense, Thunder Max rose up and slammed home a powerful dunk that energized every Ulm fan in the gym. Immediately trapping, Ulm forced a turnover, pushed the ball right back at Weiden and drew another foul. By the half, Ulm held a 37-27 lead in a tremendously defensive oriented game.
At the half, Ulm could be pleased with the defensive performance. Holding a team to 8 points in the second quarter and 27 in the first half is a clear indication of quality defense. However, Ulm's offense suffered from sub-par shot selection. In the halftime lockerroom, the ratiopharm Ulm went over several adjustments and focused on improved play in the second half.
From the third quarter sideline inbound, Weiden demonstrated their determination. Forward Darrell Mickens zipped a perfect hi-low pass to Damian Matacz on the left block where Matacz immediately converted a floating left jump hook in the paint. Weiden tried to trim the lead. An Emeka Erege jumpshot started Ulm scoring and Jeff Gibbs sparked his team with strong offensive rebounding and physical put backs in the paint. Weiden's Bynum continued to attack in transition, but two consecutive level-offs from Emeka Erege solidified Ulm's defense. Weiden struggled attacking the active zone and Ulm rebounding improved. Offensively, Jonathan Levy slashed across the lane for a score and Martin Thuesen sank a right wing three. Although Weiden was on the ropes, Ulm could not pull away. The comfortable ten point cushion remained stable throughout the third quarter of play which saw Ulm slightly extend the lead after outscoring Weiden 21-18. Heading into the final frame, Ulm led the defensive oriented game 58-45.
Weiden PG Marco Grimaldi stepped up for his team as he hit 3 second half three point shots to keep the guests in striking distance. Wing John Bynum also stayed active attacking Ulm in transition, using dribble penetration in the half court and getting to the rim for buckets. Showing more and more comfort with his new team and system, the talented high-scoring guard Bynum finished his fine performance with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Martin Thuesen hit a streaking Florian Mobius behind the Weiden defense for a beautiful fullcourt ballahead layup. Jeff Gibbs continued his productive play for Ulm backing down defenders for inside baskets or crashing the offensive glass for athletic rebounds.
Finally, an athletic steal from Jonathan Levy rotating in the back line of Ulm's press gave the Los Angeles native a break opportunity against a backpedalling Grimaldi. Levy weaved right to left as he crossed half court ahead of several Weiden defenders frantically chasing Ulm's scoring guard. Grimaldi attempted to slow down Jono as Levy slashed arcoss the lane right to left before slicing to the basket looking to finish an extended left hand layup. In a blur of black and white jerseys, two Weiden defenders hammered Jono hard from behind in last-ditch layup prevention. The baseline official immediately whistled an intentional foul. Weiden coach Keith Gray called for timeout trying to rally his troops one more time. But it was not to be.
Levy sank the two free throws and key baskets down the stretch lengthened the Ulm lead eventually sinking Weiden. Clutch plays were made by Gibbs and Shtein scoring inside, Emeka Erege adding an important shot-fake one dribble pull up over contesting defenders while floating along the right baseline and Levy sealing the deal with a clinching three pointer from just right off the top of the key.
Although most fans will see the excellent offensive numbers from Ulm's Jeff Gibbs (17pt 18reb) and Maksym Shtein (14pt 10reb), here the two teammates combine for a strong defensive play against skilled Weiden big man Damian Matacz in the second half of Ulm's 84-65 win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
For Ulm, five players reached double figures as Jeff Gibbs and Jonathan Levy matched each others top score with 17 points apiece. Shtein followed with 14, Erege with 12 and Christian Grosse added 10. As a team, Ulm hit a below standard 39% from the floor but much credit should be given to the intense and physical Weiden defense. Ulm barely outrebounded the smaller Weiden team 46-44. John Bynum paced the visitors with his 19 and 10 while Damian Matacz added a strong 16 points 7 boards and Marco Grimaldi chipped in 15.
Weiden defense effectively slowed the Ulm attack forcing Jonathan Levy into a 6-19 game and holding Emeka Erege to 4-12 from the floor. In response, ratiopharm Ulm defenders limited American Wing Justin Hall to a 2-13 night including 0-4 from three point land and also held veteran forward Darrell Mickens to an ofer --- 0 for 8 from the floor for the evening.
6-0 in 2.Bundesliga South play, ratiopharm Ulm sets their sights for next Sunday's road trip north of Bamberg as they visit Breitengussbach for a 6pm tip off. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com
GO ULM!
MIKE T
