TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
86 
77
ALBA TOPS ULM!
ratiopharm Ulm fell behind a focused ALBA Berlin team Saturday night as ALBA took control early and played like the first place team in the BEKO Bundesliga. Finally finding energy with five minutes remaining in the game, ratiopharm Ulm stormed back in a terrific late-game comeback attempt. But the poised league leaders from Berlin closed out a competitive 86-77 victory over ratiopharm Ulm before a sold out Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
ratiopharm Ulm's Per Gunther leads a fast break as ALBA Berlin's Rashad Wright and Jurica Golemac pursue.
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ratiopharm Ulm's Christian Burns skies for a breakaway slam Saturday night against ALBA Berlin.
After ALBA Berlin dominated ratiopharm Ulm in their early season meeting at O2 World Arena back in October, Ulm was focused for the rematch at home. While ALBA had risen to the top of the Beko Bundesliga standings, ratiopharm Ulm's roller coaster season took an upward turn for the positive with the teams trip to China and two important victories over MBC and Hagen. Motivated for the rematch with Berlin, ratiopharm Ulm counted on the home court advantage of Sportszentrum Kuhberg which was jam packed sold out for ALBA's appearance in Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm's Kevin Martin hammers home a thunderdunk in the first half against ALBA Berlin.
At tip off, ALBA demonstrated why they had earned the Bundesliga's best record with a focused start. With Derrick Byars in the starting five replacing an hobbled Julius Jenkins, ALBA did not miss a beat. Both Byars and Jenkins sank first quarter threes and Berlin quickly went in front. Ulm's offense saw several in-lane finishes and open looks rim out. At the end of the first quarter, Ulm trailed 23-11.
ratiopharm Ulm's Lee Humphrey shoots a three as ALBA Berlin's Immanuel McElroy contests.
As quarter two opened, Ulm slowly worked their way back into the game. Austen Rowland set up Robin Benzing and Coleman Collins for Ulm baskets early in the second. Christian Burns found Kevin Martin for a thunder dunk in the lane before a steal and breakaway slam from Burns cut the ALBA lead to 32-25 with four minutes remaining in the first half. Ulm found success in changing their defense against Berlin. In the closing minute of the half, Ulm trimmed the gap to 5 at 38-33. But a late ALBA Berlin run extended their advantage to ten at the break 43-33. Ulm used their final timeout with 42 seconds to set up a 2 for 1 opportunity, but Berlin took better advantage as Rocky Trice missed a mid-lane pullup, Blagota Sekulic scored on a post up at the rim and Ulm's last possession resulted in a missed three.
ratiopharm Ulm post man Coleman Collins turns the corner attacking the basket as ALBA Berlin's Blagota Sekulic defends.
At the half, Ulm could be happy to be trailing by only 10 points. ALBA opened the game with focus and strength taking immediate control. Changing defenses, ratiopharm Ulm fought their way back into the game. Unfortunately for Ulm, the team could not capitalize on a couple opportunities to pull within one basket or even. ALBA Berlin's excellent team defense limited Ulm to low shooting percentages including an 0 for 5 from three in the first half.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice is all over the rim after a second half tip dunk Saturday night against ALBA Berlin.
As the second half opened, Ulm's execution slipped. ALBA Berlin took advantage building their lead basket by basket. Three minutes into the third quarter, ALBA stretched their lead to 17, 50-33 forcing an Ulm timeout. With Berlin in control, Ulm made adjustments in an attempt to jumpstart their offensive attack. Substituting players, changing defensive tactics, playing with a small lineup, Ulm searched for any solution to solve the ALBA Berlin puzzle. Up to this point in the action, Ulm was 0 for 8 from three point range against the tough Berlin defense. Finally, Robin Benzing broke the ice with a wing three. At the five minute mark of the third, ALBA led 53-39. Late in the third, a quiet 6-0 Ulm run featuring baskets from Coleman Collins, Robin Benzing and Christian Burns pulled the hosts back under double figures 57-48. But the experienced ALBA team rebuilt their lead to 63-48 after three. Down 15 after three, Ulm huddled between quarters with ten minutes to make a run.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Robin Benzing scans the floor as ALBA Berlin's Immanuel McElroy defends him on the wing.
In the fourth, Ulm showed signs of life. After Austen Rowland sliced to the basket and rimmed out a finish, Rocky Trice flew to the rescue ramming home an energizing tip dunk finish. Christian Burns powered his way to another basket and Ulm found themselves trailing 69-58. Ulm's changing defense and pressing changed the rhythm of the game helping the young Ulm squad work their way back into striking distance. With five minutes to play, Ulm trailed 72-60. A Rocky Trice pull up J got Ulm under 10 trailing 74-66 with 2:58 to play. As ALBA advanced the basketball against Ulm's press, Sportszentrum Kuhberg went crazy as the sell out crowd was extremely loud. Ulm's comeback continued. Moments later, rookie forward Robin Benzing buried a clutch top of the key three trimming the deficit to four at 77-73 with over 1 minute to play.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther sets the offense as ALBA's Rashad Wright defends.
ratiopharm Ulm's dreams of a miraculous comeback against the Bundesliga's top team were alive. Ulm was on a 7-0 run and held all momentum. As Berlin brought the ball up against the Ulm press, Sportszentrum Kuhberg shook with noise and energy. Ulm retreated to their zone and matchedup well with ALBA's attack. The shot clock ticked down on one of the games most important possessions. With the ball on the baseline, Berlin looked to skip the ball across court diagonally to the top of the key for Immanuel McElroy. But Ulm's Rocky Trice read the play perfectly and rotated to the passing lane. Deflecting the basketball, Trice got his hand on the basketball --- but the Ulm guard slipped in the process and was unable to add to his league leading steal total. Gathering the basketball at the top of the key, Immanuel McElroy quickly fired a long two just in time to beat the shot clock. 'Imac' drilled the clutch jumper raising ALBA's lead to six, 79-73. Ulm used their final timeout with under one minute to play.
ratiopharm Ulm post man John Bryant finishes in the lane as ALBA Berlin defenders Derrick Byars and Blagota Sekulic challenge.
Out of the timeout, ratiopharm Ulm executed but was unable to convert their look forcing the team into the fouling game. ALBA Berlin's Rashad Wright was up to the task as he sank a perfect 6 for 6 down the stretch sealing the Berlin win. At the final buzzer, Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans stood and cheered ratiopharm Ulm's comeback effort as they fought their way to the final horn before running out of time. ALBA Berlin's 86-77 road win was an excellent example of their quality play controlling the majority of the game and the teams poise down the stretch fending off ratiopharm Ulm's late run.
ALBA Berlin's Blagota Sekulic skillfully finishes a late game hook over ratiopharm Ulm's Christian Burns in fourth quarter action from Saturday at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm was led by Christian Burns who finished with a game best 23 point 5 rebound effort while Rocky Trice added 15 points 9 boards and Robin Benzing chipped in 10 points, 3 rebounds 4 assists. As a team Ulm shot 46% for the game but managed only 2 of 14 from three (14%) and 13 for 19 from the foul line (68%). Ulm outrebounded Berlin 40-32 including a strong 18 point effort on the offensive glass. Julius Jenkins and Blagota Sekulic paced the Berlin scoring effort with 17 points apiece while Derrick Byars and Dragan Dojcin had 12 points each. Berlin hit 50% from the floor including 9 of 24 from three (38%) and 19 for 25 from the foul line (76%).
ALBA Berlin's Immanuel McElroy dives on the floor for a loose ball as ratiopharm Ulm's Robin Benzing and Rocky Trice hustle into the play.
ratiopharm Ulm's Christian Burns snares a rebound in Saturday's game against ALBA Berlin.
For ratiopharm Ulm, Saturday nights game against Berlin was an upset effort that came up short as ALBA demonstrated why they are currently the top team in the Bundesliga. Up next for Ulm is next weekends road trip to Dusseldorf for a rematch against the Giants. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
