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TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
ULM GRINDS OUT 84-69 WIN OVER IMPROVED KAISERSLAUTERN ratiopharm Ulm was expected to blow out 1.FC Kasierslautern Red Devils in Saturday night's 2.Bundesliga South basketball game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm --- after all, Ulm is a league favorite and Kaiserslautern lost by 30 in the German Cup at Heidelberg Wednesday. Sometimes expectations are not what they seem. Although Ulm could never quite shake the much improved and more intense Kaiserslautern Red Devil team, the Ulmers grinded out an 84-60 victory to move to 3-0 on the young season. Kaiserslautern Head Coach Stephan Siele has improved his Red Devils tremendously in the offseason and has them playing very good basketball early in the season. Saturday nights lesson was that there are simply no easy games on a road to the Bundesliga.
Peter Heizer finishes in transition in Ulm's third quarter run. Ulm opened the game by jumping out to a lead as Michael Bree drilled a three on the first possession and Ulm defense registered stops. Kaiserslautern's big man Stuart Robbins was effective scoring inside early on keeping the Red Devils close. Ulm edged ahead as the first subs entered the game. Guard Christian Grosse, who has been tremendous of late, brought immediate intensity to the game and made an impact drilling two three pointers in the first half. Forward Florian Mobius also subbed in providing a positive contribution on both ends. Taking control, Ulm seemed about to break the game open as they finished the first quarter with a 26-18 lead. However, instead of making a run, ratiopharm Ulm players lost concentration making soft passes and careless plays that lead to turnovers. A drop in intensity allowed Kaiserslautern to regroup and regain their rhythm. 12 first half turnovers, including a string of three straight telegraphed passes, reinvigorated the Red Devils. Ulm turnovers allowed Kaiserslautern to climb back into the game outscoring Mike T's men 14-7 to finish the first half. The Red Devils outscored Ulm 18-13 in the second quarter and took tremendous momentum into the lockerroom trailing by only three 39-36. Even though there was plenty of problems with the teams first half performance, bright spots included Niki Arinze's 10pts and 6 boards, Christian Grosse's 8 pts on 2-2 three point field goals and the fact Ulm outrebounded Kaiserslautern 22-12. Simply, turnovers plagued Ulm's play in the first half.
Niki Arinze topscored again with 19pts and 9 rebounds After some inspiring words in the halftime lockerroom, Ulm played better basketball in the third quarter. Behind shooting guard Peter Heizer's attacking play on both ends of the floor, ratiopharm Ulm jumped out to a 46-36 lead minutes into the second half. Heizer finished drives, scored a layup in transition, got to the foul line with attacking dribble and drew a charge on Kaiserslautern's Tim Johnson. While Peter penetrated drawing a foul to stop play, Kaiserslautern's small forward Michael Skender grabbed at Ulm's Emeka Erege away from the play. The two tangled up. In an instant, while the referee reported the defensive foul, Erege shoved Skender off of him. Acting in a flop, Skender sprawled out on the floor attempting to draw a foul. Fans whistled, screamed and yelled as referees instructed Ulm's Erege to relax. Heizer hit his first free throw as action continued. Suddenly, on Heizer's second attempt, referee's whistled Skender for dirty tactics on the foul line (grabbing and holding Ulm center Big Mike Niebling). Big Mike comfortably sank the two free throws and Ulm again seemed in complete control as Kaiserslautern temporarily lost their composure. Foul problems began to mount for the visitors. Ulm expanded the lead to 54-38.
Chrisitan Grosse was a key factor with intensity and energy. Again, like the first half, Ulm players eased up letting their foot off the gas. An 11-1 run sparked by center Stuart Robbins scoring inside and point guard Austen Rowland's crafty intermediate game, Kaiserslautern battled back. Veterans Peter Heizer and Maksym Shtein responded for ratiopharm rebuilding their lead. In the fourth quarter, the Red Devils demonstrated excellent heart and competitiveness that will serve them well this season. Meanwhile, Ulm did what it needed to to win. First Tim Johnson fouled out; soon he was followed by Stuart Robbins. Mike T's men maintained a 9 to 11 point lead before stretching it out to the final marker of 84-69. Taylorhoops.com Player of the Game Peter Heizer sparked ratiopharm Ulm's second half run with intense play on both ends of the floor. Peter finished his solid game with 15 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and his usual outstanding defense. Forward Niki Arinze lead Ulm scorers and rebounders with 19 points and 9 boards. Center Maksym Shtein scored 14 points with 6 boards off the bench for Ulm. Also playing well on the evening was back up point man Christian Grosse who best exemplified proper intensity and effort level to finish with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. 7' center Michael Niebling, earning a spot in the starting five in practice, was also solid in the post with 7 points and 4 boards. Emeka Erege was solid on defense and grabbed a strong 8 rebounds on the evening. Kaiserslautern was lead by center Stuart Robbins who finished with 16 points and point man Austen Rowland who added 15 points and 7 steals. American shooting guard Tim Johnson also reached double figures scoring 12 points. Ulm's tell tale stats for the game included 20 turnovers and a low 45% shooting percentage. It was not pretty. It was not easy. But Ulm will take the win and work to improve on and off the floor. Ulm remains tied atop the 2.Bundesliga South with 4 teams. Heading into an exciting week, ratiopharm Ulm returns to action Wednesday night as the team travels to Chemnitz for a 7pm tip in the next round of German Cup play. Ulm hits to road again next Saturday when they travel just north of Frankfurt to meet MTV Kronberg 8pm on October 23rd. Follow all the fastbreaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com! GO ULM! MIKE T
Mike T and his men look forward to two road games this week, Wednesday at Chemnitz in German Cup play and Saturday at MTV Kronberg.
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