TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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NO FEAR!
ULM BEATS PHANTOMS IN HOME OPENER!
ratiopharm Ulm entered their home opener at Sportszentrum Kuhberg riding the wave of momentum from Wednesday nights season opening upset win in Bamberg. Saturday night, ratiopharm Ulm rode that wave rolling to a convincing 84-56 home win over NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig before a packed Sportszentrum Kuhberg. All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs powered his way to 21 points 8 rebounds, but it was the strength of Ulm's team effort and defense that keyed the exciting home win. After losing to the Phantoms twice last season, Saturday night in their 84-56 home opening win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, ratiopharm Ulm showed no fear!
Ulm's All Star Power Forward Jeff Gibbs was unstoppable Saturday night scoring a team high 21 points with 8 rebounds in the home opening 84-56 win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
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ratiopharm's CEO Oliver Windholz and family receive an autographed team basketball as part of pre-game celebration.
Excitement and anticipation filled the city as fans awaited the ratiopharm Ulm home opener. After Wednesday nights season opening upset in Bamberg, energy in Ulm rose as high as the Munster, the world's highest church steeple serving as a symbol of the city. While the team was excited to finally play a home game, Ulm fans could not wait to see their team in the tradition-rich 'Kuhberghoelle'. New CEO of main sponsor pharmaceutical company ratiopharm, Oliver Windholz and family were in attendance for their first game and Ulm GM Dr Thomas Stoll presented the successful business man with an autographed team basketball pre game. Another gift, an official ratiopharm Ulm uniform was presented to Keith Tripletts daughter Kalaia with wife Michelle in the crowd. On top of the special presentations, the Ulm fan club passed out thousands of orange balloons for the entire gym to wave. Finally, the Phantoms brought former Ulm star Jonathan Levy back to Sportszentrum Kuhberg and fans anticipated a warm welcome and opportunity to see their former Ulmer take the floor again. By time for tip off, ratiopharm Ulm's energy was so high the team was ready for take off!
Ulm's Sean Finn put an exclamation point on early action with a strong baseline slam. 'Shark' Finn was a perfect 3 for 3 from the floor in the first quarter and helped Ulm build a lead.
Once again without starting point guard Dru Joyce, 20 year old rookie Per Gunther made his second Bundesliga start. With excellent confidence from his terrific debut in Bamberg, Per prepared for a special matchup against a team coached by his U20 National team head coach Emir 'Muki' Mutapcic. With Per prepared for another excellent game, ratiopharm Ulm also opted to use captain Emeka Erege in the role of backup point guard. The experienced veteran would lead the 'Ron Harper unit' against the Phantoms.
Ulm's Keith Triplett slashes to the basket against Braunschweig's Jason Cain. 'Trip' added 7 points to his tremendous defense in the win.
As the game tipped off, it was Ulm's Sean Finn who started strong. The Ulm center finished inside and was a perfect 3 for 3 from the floor scoring six early points helping his team establish a lead. On the other end, key Braunschweig players Jonathan Levy and Andrew Drevo scored 4 points apiece. Jeff Gibbs established his post game with a beautiful reverse layup and strong finish in the lane. Lee Humphrey drilled a three and finished a terrific backdoor cut with a layup in the lane. Ulm's bench subbed in and the team found their rhythm. After one quarter of play, ratiopharm Ulm held a 26-20 lead.
Rookie point guard Per Gunther was once again impressive leading Ulm's attack in his second Bundesliga start. Per scored 9 points with 2 assists in 30 minutes of action.
ratiopharm Ulm broke the game open in quarter two. Using their fullcourt pressure and halfcourt defensive work, Ulm disrupted the Braunschweig game. Keith Triplett's defensive work and slashing drives sparked Ulm. Romeo Travis attacked in transition, gave great effort on the boards and was rewarded with trips to the foul line. Dan Fitzgerald buried a three and pounded the boards. With five minutes remaining in the first half, Ulm established a 39-27 lead. Braunschweig burned their second timeout midway through the second quarter and Ulm amped up their attack. Lee Humphrey was fouled shooting a three pointer from the right wing and sank two of the three free throws. Emeka Erege and Sebastian Betz provided excellent perimeter play from the bench. Most important, Jeff Gibbs scored 16 first half points with a fantastic offensive game. Equally as impressive, young PG Per Gunther was once again in top form. Making another run, Ulm extended their lead to 50-29 before a Will Franklin pull up J at the halftime buzzer.
Ulm sharpshooter Lee Humphrey drives baseline against Braunschweig's Dustin Salisberry. Lee has been a great addition to the backcourt and played a major role in the excellent team win.
With a 50-31 halftime lead, ratiopharm Ulm continued their strong start to the 2008-2009 season. The key to Ulm's early season success has been the terrific team play, excellent defensive effort and production from each player on the team. Positively reinforcing the teams play and teamwork, Ulm aimed to improve on their execution and defensive details in the second half.
Romeo Travis splits Braunschweig defenders in first half action Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. 'Rome' 's versatility was a key to Ulm's attack.
Ulm's excellent evening continued in the third quarter featuring more Jeff Gibbs in the lane, a pullup three from Per Gunther and active cutting from Sebastian Betz that led to several layups. Five minutes into the third quarter, Ulm's lead ballooned to 56-35 giving Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans plenty of reasons to wave their orange balloons. Emeka Erege's 'Ron Harper Unit' returned and the pass and cut game resulted in a Betz basket and Fitzgerald three. At the end of three, Ulm was in command 67-41.
Ulm rookie forward Dan Fitzgerald drills a corner three as the Phantoms Andrew Drevo closes out. Dan was an important part of the terrific team win in his Sportszentrum Kuhberg debut.
Finishing the game strong in the fourth quarter, Ulm led 75-47 with five minutes to play. Excellent ball movement resulted in an Erege three from the left corner. Romeo Travis, whose activity and work on the boards was a big plus for Ulm, was poked in the eye late in the game forcing him to miss the final few minutes. As the final few seconds ticked off the game clock, Sportszentrum Kuhberg stood and chanted 'Seig' for the first time of the 2008-2009 season. The 84-56 home win improved ratiopharm Ulm to 2-0 and pushed them to first place in the early season Bundesliga standings. After Saturday nights win, ratiopharm Ulm is 'Tabellenfuhrer'.
Ulm's Sebastian Betz continued his excellent start to the 2008-2009 season with a 10 point 3 rebound effort against Braunschweig.
In the win, Ulm shot 44% from the floor and made 5 of 19 threes (26%) along with 23 of 33 from the foul line (70%). Ulm dished out 14 assists compared to 12 turnovers. On the Braunschweig side, the Phantoms shot 40% from the floor, made 2 of 15 threes (13%) and 10 of 15 from the foul line (67%). Braunschweig also suffered 21 turnovers in the loss as they fell to 0-2 on the early season.
Ulm Captain Emeka Erege showed his versatility playing backup point guard against Braunschweig and leading the team in assists!
Jeff Gibbs lead the Ulm attack with an excellent 21 point 8 rebound effort and Sebastian Betz added 10 points 3 rebounds on 4 of 6 shooting. Lee Humphrey and Per Gunther added 9 points apiece while Romeo Travis chipped in 8 points 6 boards. Keith Triplett added 7 points on 7 for 8 free throw shooting. Jason Cain led Braunschweig with 12 points 7 rebounds and Dustin Salisberry also scored 12 points. Jonathan Levy contributed 6 points 6 rebounds and 2 assists against his former team.
Ulm's Michael Schroeder finishes inside against a Braunschweig double team. Michael scored 3 points with 2 boards in the Ulm win.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Dru Joyce watches action from the bench Saturday night as he missed his second game due to a preseason ankle injury. Dru is expected to return to action next week in Dusseldorf.
Ulm's Romeo Travis was poked in the eye in the fourth quarter. Here, Ulm physio Andi Lacher attends to the athletic Ulm forward.
Jeff Gibbs and Jonathan Levy share a moment post game. Former teammates that remain good friends, Jeff and Jono were two keys in the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 ratiopharm Ulm seasons.
Welcome back to Sportszentrum Kuhberg for ratiopharm Ulm basketball 2008-2009!
At 2-0, Ulm looks ahead to their next game Saturday night October 4th in Dusseldorf. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
