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ULM CELEBRATES EASTER WITH 83-66 WIN IN FREIBURG Breaking the game open with a strong 25-11 second quarter, ratiopharm Ulm exploded past host USC Freiburg to earn an 83-66 road win Easter Sunday in 2.Bundesliga Basketball action. Center Maksym Shtein topped Ulm scoring for the sixth straight game finishing with a team best 21 points 7 rebounds on the Holiday evening. Ulm improved to 20-5 in 2.Bundesliga South play this season.
Ulm's Peter Heizer cuts off Freiburg's Jordan Harris. Establishing their commitment to defense early on, Ulm registered several defensive stops allowing them to build a 6-0 lead. In fact, Ulm held Freiburg scoreless for the first 5 minutes of the first quarter. Although Ulm started strong defensively, they did not immediately capitalize on the offensive end. Freiburg did not score their first points of the game until the midpoint of the first quarter, but Ulm managed only 6 points of their own. As Freiburg's Jordan Harris and Darnell Hinson cut into the deficit slicing the early lead to 6-4, Maksym Shtein sank an open three pointer before scoring on a strong finish inside. Hinson answered and the game got tight. Fannar Olafsson entered the game and kept Ulm's offense rolling pivoting for two good jump hook finishes in the paint. While Ulm aggressively changed full court defenses well, their traps and rotations allowed Freiburg open looks --- which they made count. With one minute in the opening Easter Sunday quarter, Freiburg's Harris buried a three pulling the hosts within one 18-17. On the next possession Shtein did not rotate in Ulm's zone defense giving good shooting center Tomas Hruby an open baseline J. Freiburg had fought back to take their first lead 19-18 in the last minute of quarter one. Ulm's Kenny Price recaptured the lead for Ulm with 2 free throws before Christian Grosse sank one of two shots from the charity line to complete the quarter with Ulm up 21-19. k Huddling between quarters, Ulm made a couple key adjustments which paid dividends. Offensively, the team concentrated on solid ball screening and worked for good floor spacing. Defensively, the team refocused on Freiburg's scorers and nonscorers discussing closeout techniques for each in both man and zone. From the start of the second quarter, Ulm's 10-2 run broke the game open. Three pointers from Peter Heizer and Christian Grosse lit up Freiburg from the outside. Meanwhile, ballscreen plays led to easy baskets for Ulm big men as Shaheen Holloway dropped dimes. Maintaining an 8-10 point lead for the middle part of the second quarter, Ulm's bench ignited another run to finish the half. Kenny Price drilled a three, Christian Grosse finished a breakaway layup and Fannar Olafsson scored inside starting an 11-5 finish to the half. Maksym Shtein completed his outstanding first half with an extending his steps dribbling down the lane line for a driving layup off glass from the top of the key against the Freiburg zone. Capping off the half, Fannar Olafsson sank two more free throws with no time on the clock after he was fouled as time expired. The late baskets sent Ulm to the lockerroom with a 46-30 halftime lead.
Ulm's Florian Mobius works to defend Freiburg's Markus Oertelt Ulm was in excellent position at the half this Easter Sunday game. Their 16 point advantage was a product of excellent defense holding Freiburg to 10-33 (30%) shooting in the first half. Offense complimented their defensive effort shooting 57% from the floor including 12 of 18 on shots in the paint and 4 of 8 from three. Maksym Shtein was in top form in the first half scoring 16 points on 6 of 7 shooting. All the positives (and why they were happening) addressed, Ulm looked to start the second half strong to avoid a let down like last game against Jena. Although there was no let down, the second half was definitely different from the first. Freiburg did not quit and fought back. Play evened out as Jordan Harris and Emeka Erege scored effectively for their teams in the third. Every baket Freiburg produced to trim the deficit, Ulm responded with an answer. Hardworking Carl Mbassa aggressively hit the offensive boards powering two put backs through soft Ulm defenders. Just when Freiburg seemed to show signs of life, Ulm's Kenny Price extinguished their fire finishing the third quarter with 6 straight points re-establishing the lead. Price hit a lay in, sank a three and took a perfect attacking pass from Christian Grosse drawing a foul after Ulm's press created a halfcourt turnover. Up 65-48 after three, Ulm's 19-18 third quarter maintained the cushion.
Ulm's Maksym Shtein and Emeka Erege shut off Carl Mbassa's drive Stretching the lead to 20 early in the fourth behind consecutive baskets from forward Florian Mobius, Ulm seemed to relax. Up 69-49 with 8 minutes remaining, Freiburg burst to a 9-2 run trimming the game to 71-57 with half a quarter to play --- far from over, plenty of basketball was left to play. An Ulm timeout refocsed the team. The Freiburg run was a result of excellent effort on the offensive boards by Mbassa who scored three straight baskets and hit a free throw producing 7 of their 9 points in the run. Out of the timeout, two Price free throws and another Mobius J returned the lead to 19 at 76-57. Ulm and Freiburg exchanged baskets down the stretch and Hinson, Harris and Mbassa battled to the final buzzer cutting slightly into the final score of 83-66. Certainly another quality defensive effort, Ulm players limited their opponents to 27% shooting for the game while hitting 49% of their own shots. Ulm outscored Freiburg in the paint 42-24 as well. Taylorhoops.com Player of the Game Maksym Shtein led Ulm's first half charge and finished another good game with 21 points on 8 of 11 shooting with 7 boards and 3 assists. Emeka Erege also played well contributing 17 points and 6 rebounds to his team. Kenny Price and Florian Mobius each added 11 points with Mobius grabbing 7 boards. Jordan Harris led Freiburg with 24 points and 10 rebounds and Carl Mbassa added 16 points with 6 boards. Darnell Hinson hit 5 threes for 15 points for Freiburg. Falling to 12-14 on the season, the loss was their 2nd defeat in four days after losing in Lich 104-90 Thursday night. Wishing everyone reading Taylorhoops.com a Happy Easter. Ulm returns to action Saturday night when the Chemnitz 99ers come to Ulm for another exciting matchup. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com! GO ULM! MIKE T
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