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SHORTHANDED ULM KNOCKS OFF UNBEATEN NURNBERG! ratiopharm Ulm knocked off unbeaten RCE Falke Nurnberg 89-82 before a sellout crowd at Sportszentrum Kuhberg Saturday night in 2.Bundesliga South basketball action. Playing without star point guard Shaheen Holloway who was sidelined with severe flu symptoms, Ulm overcame size and depth disadvantages to capture the big win. from www.onlinepics24.de Flo Mobius sinks a baseline J in Ulm's win Tipping off action in one of the most anticipated games of the season, Ulm and Nurnberg were even through the early going. Ulm point guard Christian Grosse and Florian Mobius hit early shots while Nurnberg answered with an inside out combination from Cory Jenkins and Sotirius Gioulekas. Like the first meeting, Gioulekas drilled his first three point shot and attacked the rim off drives bringing back eery flashbacks from Nurnbergs 91-75 November win. Ulm allowed several offensive rebounds which led to Nurnberg second chance points and Ulm fouls. Nurnberg point guard Marcel Tenter opened in top form as well making plays for his teammates off dribble penetration. Star guard Julius Jenkins got his game going early with driving scores and smooth J's. Ulm's full court press did not contain Cory Jenkins who beat the second line and created 2 on 1 situations that led to easy scores. In the halfcourt, Ulm defenders failed to matchup up with Nurnberg shooters in their zone allowing several open looks the Falcons capitalized on. Ulm guard Peter Heizer tried to tie the score with a buzzer beater but rimmed his shot long. Unbeaten Nurnberg edged ahead 24-22 at the end of one. Ulm center Maksym Shtein succeeded in drawing fouls on Nurnberg center Karim Aw, a key strategy for Ulm's small lineup. Unfortunately, the experienced Nurnberg team charged ahead to a 38-30 lead forcing an Ulm timeout. Sweet shooting sub Angelos Plantzas snuck free from Ulm defenders for an open three point look that he sent straight to China. Only seconds before, Gioulekas drifted free in the right corner converting a skip pass into a three ball before Ulm D could react. The Nurnberg run sent the loud Falcons fans into a frenzy. from www.onlinepics24.de Marcel Tenter drives for a basket in the first half Out of the timeout, Ulm went inside to Maksym Shtein who scored on a strong move in the paint. Forward Florian Mobius continued to step up his play sinking open jump shots from the elbow and corner off penetration and pitch plays. Ulm trimmed the deficit to two at 38-36 with 3 minutes in the first half. Ulm's Peter Heizer brought energy to the troops with strong defensive play including drawing a charging foul on cat-quick Julius Jenkins in a one on one situation. The game evened out as time winded down on the first twenty minutes. Heizer launched another last second buzzer beater that sailed off the rim sending the teams to the locker room Nurnberg 44 Ulm 42. A quick scan of the halftime stat sheet told the tale. In a 44-42 game, Ulm and Nurnberg were even in almost every statistical category including shots attempted (31), assists (8) and rebounds (15-14 Nurnberg). Nurnberg hit 4 threes to Ulm's 1, but Ulm sank 11 of 13 free throws compared to Nurnberg's 6 of 8 to offset the difference. Clearly Ulm's frontcourt combination of Maksym Shtein (11pt 5reb) and Florian Mobius (14pt 4reb) came to play in the first half. Nurnberg's Cory Jenkins (12pt 4 reb) and Sotirius Gioulekas (10pts 5reb) answered. Well known as an offensive threat, Nurnberg's Julius Jenkins demonstrated his defensive prowess with an excellent performance on Ulm sharpshooter Kenny Price. Beating screens and containing drives, Jenkins limited Price to 3 shots in the first twenty minutes. In the lockerroom, Ulm's team talk focused on the details --- winning an even game came down to the little things such as screening, positioning and execution. Ulm focused on better matchups in their press and zone and aimed for a better performance on the boards. How the team applied these adjustments would set the tone for the second half. From the second half inbound, Ulm's defense stepped up. Improved communication, better rotations, flawless matchups led to quality defensive possessions in the third quarter. While Nurnberg established themselves on the offensive boards in the first half, Ulm defenders innundated the defensive glass in the second half. Tenacious team rebounding limited Nurnberg to 1 "O" board in the second half. Foul problems began to mount in the third as Nurnberg center Karim Aw picked up his 4th foul on an offensive elbow while Ulm's Florian Mobius picked up his 3rd battling inside. Ulm's press seemed energized as they worked back. Suddenly, Emeka Erege emerged from the flow scoring big baskets pulling Ulm even and pushiing his team ahead. The multi-dimensional small forward sliced down the lane for a smooth finish equalizing at 49 before scoring a breakaway bucket giving Ulm the lead. Julius Jenkins and Cory Jenkins immediately answered with 5 fast points regaining the lead for Nurnberg. But Ulm fought back and finally recaptured a 56-54 lead when Christian Grosse buried a big three from the left wing. from www.onlinepics24.de Team defensive rebounding keyed Ulm's win Momentum swelled in Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Before it could simmer, Kenny Price beat his man driving hard down the left baseline. Nurnberg helpside failed to rotate and Price rose up for a hard two hand slam getting Ulm fans out of their seat. Fast paced, exciting basketball filled the floor for the final four minutes of the third. When Florian Mobius was whistled for his 4th foul, Ulm went to their small lineup which helped the press. Fortunately, the five on the floor continued their focus on defensive rebounding with tremendous intensity. Cory Jenkins worked for a tough shot over Ulm forward Fannar Olafsson. Soon the scoreboard showed 60-60. Price dunks driving baseline In the final minute of the third, one can argue the game was decided. Ulm guard Peter Heizer had played hard all game. Heizer, known as one of the best defensive perimeter players in the league, was focused on stopping Nurnberg scorers --- maybe Nurnberg scorers should have focused on stopping him. Off ball reversal, Heizer found himself open on the left wing as the shot clock ticked down. Getting his rhythm, the 6'4 athletic guard stepped up and knocked down an energizing three pointer. On the very next possession, Ulm finally shook Kenny Price free. Center Maksym Shtein set a bone crushing screen knocking Julius Jenkins over opening Price on the right wing. In a natural reaction, Price automatically drilled Ulm's second three in seconds extending their advtange to 66-60. Ulm fans went wild. Time ticked down in the third quarter. Nurnberg sailed a pass out of bounds on the baseline returning possession back to Ulm. Just like the previous two quarters, Ulm held ball possession for the last shot. Unfortunately, Ulm came up empty both times as Peter Heizer's buzzer beaters clanged off the rim to finish the first quarter and end the first half. But this time something was different. Instead of trailing, Ulm was ahead....with momentum. Fueled by the fans, empowered by momentum, Heizer darted up the floor in the final seconds of the 3rd. Peter raced passed Nurnberg defenders and pulled up for a 16 foot J just off the right elbow. Fans anticipation hung with the ball as it floated through the air. Buzzer sounds were muffled by a home crowd roar as Heizer scored. Players sprinted to the bench for the quarter break on a high leading 68-62. In the fourth quarter Ulm fought off a furious Nurnberg rally. Again, Angelos Plantzas made his mark off the Nurnberg bench. Slipping free on the left wing, Plantzas sank a three as Emeka Erege fouled him challenging the shot. The four point play cut Ulm's lead to 73-71. Fouls continued to be a factor as front court players for both teams became significant. Heizer made more big plays finishing drives and hitting clutch free throws. With 6 minutes remaining, Ulm held a firm 78-71 lead. But Julius Jenkins would strike back with a great move and foul shots narrowing the score to 3, 78-75. At the foul line, Ulm players received the instructions to screen for Kenny Price and help him get open. Again, the team freed up Price for a clutch three and Ulm seized an 81-75 advantage. Time outside Spotszentrum Kuhberg was meaningless --- all that mattered were the three minutes on the scoreboard. Florian Mobius cleaned up an Ulm shot on the rim with an athletic tip in and Karim Aw answered as the score moved to 83-76. Maksym Shtein picked up his 5th foul with 1:03 remaining forcing Ulm to sub. Fannar Olafsson re-entered for a physical presence. Julius Jenkins slashed down the lane from the right wing drawing contact from Christian Grosse. Jenkins, the leagues leading scorer and likely MVP, promptly sank the two free throws pulling the visitors to within 3, 85-82. Timeout on the floor. 54 seconds remained. from www.onlinepics24.de Critical timeout for a crucial play During the huddle, Ulm designed a play for a strong Heizer drive into floor space on a variation of their "Miami" set. Looking to execute and use the clock, Ulm players knew this possession would be the most important one of the game. As the ball inbounded, fans in Kuhberg were on their feet. As the ball moved from player to player, the action captivated the audience. As the shot clock ticked under ten, all eyes were on the floor. Heizer stepped to the left pro spot and secured the ball. Wheeling with a strong sweep through, Peter pounded two hard dribbles off a strong ball screen set on the right elbow. Rotating with great effort, Nurnberg defenders stretched out Heizer's dribble delaying him from turning the corner. But in stretching the ballhandler, no one handled the roll man and forward Florian Mobius dove to an open area off the right block. Heizer zipped a clean pass to the lanky Ulm forward who attacked the rim. Bouncing around gently off rim and board, players from both teams exhausted themselves leaping in effort. Out of no-where, Ulm forward Emeka Erege outstretched the rest softly tipping in Flo's shot for a huge two points. Trailing 87-82, Nurnberg players pushed the ball up the floor with Julius Jenkins gaining a full head of steam looking to make a play. Driving into a crowd in the lane, the ball popped loose. Ulm defenders swooped in and scooped up the loose ball --- like lightning they found Kenny Price behind the Nurnberg defense. The crowd new it. The celebration already began. Price finished the breakaway basket giving Ulm and invincible 89-82 lead with only seconds remaining. Nurnberg's Marcel Tenter frantically advanced the ball driving into the Ulm lane where he was stopped with contact. But as the referees whistle went off, the Kuhberg horn sounded ending the game. Officials officially ended the game and Ulm and Nurnberg players shook hands with great respect and sportsmanship while Ulm fans enjoyed their teams big win. Playing without Shaheen Holloway, beating unbeaten Nurnberg on the heels of the big road win in Heidelberg shows tremendous heart in the Ulm players. Through injuries, illness and adversity, Ulm has found a way to win re-establishing themselves as a major factor in the 2.Bundesliga South. Celebrating the big win with Ulm fans! Taylorhoops.com Player of the Game Maksym Shtein was in top form scoring a team high 20 points with 7 boards and a perfect 8 for 8 free throw shooting. Front court partner Florian Mobius also was in excellent form offensively adding 18 points and 9 boards to the cause. Clutch forward Emeka Erege also scored 18 points while grabbing 7 rebounds. Peter Heizer added 13 and Kenny Price contributed 10 points and 6 assists. Christian Grosse, starting for sick Shaheen Holloway, was another major plus on the floor as he added another chapter to his fantastic season. For Nurnberg, four of five starters reached double figures with power forward Cory Jenkins leading the way at 24 points and 6 rebounds. Julius Jenkins impressed on both ends of the floor finishing with 22 points and point guard Marcel Tenter added 13 points 9 assists. Shooting forward Sotirius Gioulekas added 10 (all from the first half). For the game, key stats included the undersized Ulm team outrebounding powerful Nurnberg 33-25 including a tremendou team effort defensive rebounding in the second half. Ulm players hit 20 of 24 free throws (83%) and shot 49% from the floor. Looking to maintain their momentum, ratiopharm Ulm prepares for a road trip to Bayreuth on Wednesday evening. Currently in third place, Bayreuth has enjoyed an excellent season and have momentum of their own after a strong road win in Kronberg Saturday. Ulm expects a healthy Shaheen Holloway to return to the lineup for Wednesday's game. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm baketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com! GO ULM! MIKE T
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