TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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Dusseldorf Debacle!
A 20-0 Dusseldorf run and 1 for 24 three point shooting frustrated ratiopharm Ulm in Friday nights 88-60 home debacle against the Dusseldorf Giants at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Holding a 40-38 late first half lead, several turnovers rattled ratiopharm Ulm as the young team lost their composure giving Dusseldorf a 50-40 halftime lead. Ulm's 0 for the second half three point shooting frustrated the young team as Dusseldorf ran away with the game in the second half.
ratiopharm Ulm's Per Gunther finishes a layup in the first half of Friday nights game against Dusseldorf at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Per scored 8 points with 2 assists in the loss.
click here for Box score
click here for regio-tv report from Dusseldorf game
Click here for Ulm v Dusseldorf photo gallery
ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice was relentless producing despite his teams poor performance leading Ulm with a 14 point 7 rebound 3 steal effort.
Coming into Friday nights Beko Bundesliga Game Day 7, both ratiopharm Ulm and Dusseldorf were desperately seeking their second win of the season. After a quality week on the practice floor, Ulm aimed for an improved performance on the defensive end and better flow on the offensive end.
ratiopharm Ulm's Lee Humphrey feeds the post in the first half of Fridays home loss to Dusseldorf.
At tip off, a focused ratiopharm Ulm team started strong. Behind an excellent first quarter from post man Coleman Collins, Ulm opened an early lead. Excellent ballmovement and teamwork highlighted several offensive possessions as Ulm executed extremely well. Coleman Collins powered down the lane for a thunderous two hand slam and found a cutting Per Gunther who slipped a second quick pass to a baseline cutting Christian Burns for a strong layin. Ulm's defense was stable and strong as the young team turned a 10-9 lead into 20-14 advantage with four minutes in the first quarter. But a hot-shooting Brendan Winters helped keep the Giants close and at the end of the first quarter, Ulm held a 24-23 lead.
ratiopharm Ulm's power forward Christian Burns extends to finish at the rim in the first half of Ulm's home loss to Dusseldorf Friday night. Christian totaled 12 points 4 rebounds in the game.
For the beginning of quarter two, Ulm and Dusseldorf raced up and down the floor exchanging baskets and battling for control of the game. Late in the first half, Ulm held a 40-38 advantage and had momentum. But a halfcourt steal by Giant backup PG Gordon Geib led to an easy basket and another Geib steal on an inbound bounce pass led to another easy Dusseldorf score. Ulm's young team did not respond to their mistakes properly and lost composure. Instantly, their 40-38 late first half lead evaporated. As Ulm lost their composure, they lost their lead. Dusseldorf took advanage of Ulm mistakes and inexperience to take a 50-40 halftime lead.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie point guard Kevin Kanaskie zips a pass behind Dusseldorf's BA Walker in Friday nights action. Kevin gave Ulm 3 points 3 assists in 13 minutes off the Ulm bench.
At the half, Ulm's young team was both stunned and frustrated at how their second quarter finished. Losing their composure, Ulm's young team lost their lead as they lost control of the games tempo. Dusseldorf's 12-0 late first half run, presented Ulm with a challenging deficit to overcome. With twenty minutes remaining down only ten, Ulm focused on their defensive play aiming for second half stops.
ratiopharm Ulm's Coleman Collins soars to the rim for a two hand slam dunk finish in the first half Friday night against Dusseldorf. Coleman started the game strong powering Ulm to an early lead with 8 points in the first quarter.
As the second half opened, Ulm had their opportunities. Several unfinished easy baskets and several missed good-look threes stalled the Ulm offense. As Ulm came up empty, Dusseldorf hit two late-clock baskets as BA Walker buried a deep three and Koko Archibong scored on an offensive rebound. Frustration level rose for Ulm. Dusseldorf turned their 12-0 late first half run into a 20-0 burst and 26-3 surge. Ulm used their second timeout of the second half with just under five minutes remaining in the third as they trailed 64-43. Ulm's efforts to cut into the deficit got the team no-where as they came up empty missing open shots and easy layups. At the end of the third, Dusseldorf maintained a 71-50 lead.
ratiopharm Ulm post man John Bryant draws a foul in the second half of Friday nights home loss against Dusseldorf.
In the fourth, Ulm's frustration level reached its peak. The game was over. As the final mintes ticked away, Ulm's home debacle against Dusseldorf was finished. The final scoreboard showed Dusseldorf's 88-60 win. Ulm had played to win for 18 minutes but lost their composure and grown frustrated. Unable to regain their control, the game got away. A hard lesson for the young team, Ulm made no excuses and took the tough experience on the chin, together.
ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Robin Benzing chases down a loose ball as Dusseldorf's TJ Carter closes in. Robin scored 11 points and drew 11 fouls with his active play.
ratiopharm Ulm was led by Rocky Trice's 14 point 7 rebound 3 steals while Christian Burns added 12 points 4 boards and Robin Benzing finished with 11 points in the loss. Ulm shot an unbelieveable 1 fo 24 from three point range (4%) and 32% from the floor. Dusseldorf put four players in double figures led by BA Walker's 19 points, Brendan Winters had 18 points, Koko Archibing 15 points 6 rebounds and Gordon Geib 10 points 5 rebounds in the win. The Giants shot 57% from the floor making 8 for 19 threes (42%) and 12 for 13 free throws (92%). Dusseldorf outrebounded Ulm 37-34.
ratiopharm Ulm's Sebastian Betz moves past Dusseldorf defender Brendan Winters in Friday's first half.
Ulm's home debacle against Dusseldorf was the largest home loss at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Mike Taylor's seven seasons in Ulm. Addressing the crowd after the game, Ulm's head coach took responsibility for the teams poor performance and appologized to the supportive fans.
Despite the poor performance and tough loss, ratiopharm Ulm coaches support their young players and team through their struggles. The team must find a way to bounce back for Sunday's road game in Bremerhaven.
After their frustrating performance Friday night, ratiopharm Ulm must find a way to bounce back for Sunday's road trip north to Bremerhaven. While Ulm lost at home by 28, the Eisbaren won on the road in Tubingen 97-71 Friday night. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
