TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
87 
72
HAGEN GESCHLAGEN!
ratiopharm Ulm returned to Bundesliga action with an important 87-72 home win over Phoenix Hagen Saturday night at a sold out Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. A terrific team effort on both ends of the floor, ratiopharm Ulm put five players in double figures on offense while limiting Hagen to 37% shooting and outrebounding the Phoenix 47-39. Refreshed and energized after an excellent three week break that included a team trip to China and the addition of center Kevin Martin, ratiopharm Ulm's positive performance produced a terrific team win like 'Hagen Geschlagen.'
'This win is for you!': Hagen native Per Gunther is all smiles after ratiopharm Ulm's 87-72 home win over the Phoenix Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
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ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice was outstanding on both ends of the floor for his team in Saturday's important win.
After a mid-season break that included a five day two exhibition game trip to China and the Bundesliga All Star break, ratiopharm Ulm was ready for their return to action Saturday night against Hagen. An important game for both teams working to make their spots in the Bundesliga safe, Ulm aimed to rewrite their October loss in Hagen with a strong team performance and important home win. With confidence from their last home game, an 84-80 overtime victory over MBC, ratiopharm Ulm was ready to play.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Austen Rowland finishes at the rim in Saturday nights home win over Hagen. Austen drilled a perfect three of three from three totaling 14 points 3 assists in the win.
At tip off, a sold out Sportszentrum Kuhberg was excited to see Bundesliga basketball after the three week pause. Radio7's 'Wir blasen zum Angriff' promotion found many fans with musical instruments showing special support for their team. Radio7 morningshow personality Jack Krispin led the charge with his loud support on a trombone. Ulm took the floor with a refreshed attitude and renewed confidence following their excellent teambuilding trip to China and the addition of center Kevin Martin. While ratiopharm Ulm brought tremendous positive energy to the floor, the team was also aware there could be some rust from the break.
ratiopharm Ulm's rookie forward Robin Benzing defends against Hagen's Quentin Pryor.
In the opening possessions of the game, ratiopharm Ulm missed several good looks and Hagen capitalized in transition. A 7-0 run for Hagen sparked by Chase Griffin's transition baskets gave the guests an early 11-4 lead. A clear sign of their rusty game, Ulm missed all 8 of their three point attempts in the first quarter. With Hagen up 13-6 at the mid-point of the third, Ulm began to shake off the rust and started to find their rhythm in the game. Five points from Kevin Martin helped Ulm work their way back trimming the deficit. Finishing the first quarter with an 11-5 run, Ulm pulled to within one. As Sebastian Betz intercepted an inbound pass, he attempted a buzzer beating three at the end of the first quarter. Although Basti's last second attempt rimmed out, Ulm trailed by one 18-17 after one.
ratiopharm Ulm post man Coleman Collins finishes with authority in the home win over Hagen. Coleman played well contributing 10 points 3 boards to the victory.
As quarter two opened, Ulm took the momentum. Up 29-27 with five minutes to play in the second, Ulm outscored Hagen 9-3 over the last five minutes of the first half. Austen Rowland ignited the Ulm offense burying two important three pointers helping Ulm make a run. Rocky Trice made plays on both ends of the floor totaling 8 points 6 rebounds in the first half. Defensive adjustments helped Ulm gain control of the game. Picking up the transition oriented guards early and switching defensive matchups helped Ulm neutralize the Hagen offense. As the teams went to their lockerrooms at the half, Ulm led 38-30.
ratiopharm Ulm power forward Christian Burns soars to the rim for a breakaway slam against Hagen as part of his team leading 15 point 10 rebound double double.
At the half, Ulm could feel good about their first twenty minutes of action. After a three week break from Bundesliga action, Ulm overcame their expected slow start with a strong 21-12 second quarter to take control of the game. Ulm's strong defensive effort in the first half limited Hagen to 31% shooting and outrebounded the Phoenix 27-21. A balanced offensive attack was sparked by 8 points apiece from Rocky Trice and Austen Rowland while Hagen's main threat came in 14 points by Chase Griffin. Outscoring Hagen 22-10 points in the paint, Ulm had carried over the positive coachign points from the China trip and the team found their offensive rhythm. Aware of the importance of the game, ratiopharm Ulm was focused to build on their solid first half.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther extends for a finger roll against his hometown team Phoenix Hagen.
As the second half opened, Ulm broke the game open. With the score 42-32, Ulm used an 11-4 run to build a 53-36 advantage forcing a Hagen timeout with 4 minutes remaining in the third. ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Robin Benzing made several important plays during Ulm's run. Post players Coleman Collins and Christian Burns kept the Ulm offense producing with exciting finishes. Ulm maintained their margin throughout the remainder of the third and held a 64-48 lead going into the fourth.
Center Kevin Martin shoots a fadeaway J in his first appearance with ratiopharm Ulm. The physical big man posted 7 points 7 rebounds in a victorious debut with Ulm.
In the fourth, Ulm finished the game with confidence completely erasing the nightmare from October in Hagen. Maintaing a 71-57 advantage through the midpoint of the fourth, Ulm was able to sub in reserves for the final minutes of the game. In a tribute to automatic shooting like Trent Tucker, Christian Grosse entered the game and immediately drilled a deep left wing three. At the final horn, ratiopharm Ulm fans stood and cheered for their teams important 87-72 home win.
ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey attacks the Hagen's Bernd Kruell in Saturday's home win.
With the win, ratiopharm Ulm took a two game lead over Hagen along with the head to head comparison in case of tie-breaker at the end of the season. Ulm's 87-72 win erased the difficult 76-75 road loss in Hagen back in October as Ulm took the head to head over the Phoenix for the season. With both teams fighting to secure their place in the Bundesliga, ratiopharm Ulm's win over Hagen is a big step forward toward the 'Klassenerhalt'. Ulm can now focus on improvement and development while focusing on catching teams in front of them rather than worrying about what happens behind. After 21 games, Ulm is up four wins on Paderborn, three wins on Giessen, two wins plus head to head over Hagen and one game in front of Dusseldorf. Meanwhile, Ulm is even in wins with Trier and one win behind Ludwigsburg and two wins behind Braunschweig.
ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice pulls up for a mid range jumper over Hagen's John Turek Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Rocky sparked Ulm with a strong 13 point 8 rebound performance.
In Saturday's win over Hagen, ratiopharm Ulm was led by Christian Burns' 15 point 10 rebound double double along with 14 points 3 assists from Austen Rowland, 13 points 8 rebounds from Rocky Trice and 13 points 4 boards from Robin Benzing. Physical post man Kevin Martin chipped in 7 points 7 rebounds in his ratiopharm Ulm debut.
Coleman Collins completes a crafty post move for an up and under slam
As a team, ratiopharm Ulm finished the game shooting 46% from the floor including 7 of 22 from three (32%) and 14 of 22 from the foul line (64%). Ulm outrebounded Hagen 47-39 and dished out 16 assists to 10 turnovers in the win. Meanwhile, Hagen hit 37% from the floor making 6 of 22 threes (27%) and 14 of 21 free throws (67%). Hagen suffered 18 turnovers in the loss. Chase Griffin paced the Hagen offense with 17 points followed by 15 points 9 rebounds from Jonathan Kale and 13 points apiece from Michael Jordan and John Turek.
ratiopharm Ulm's Sebastian Betz gave his team solid minutes in the win over Hagen.
A special victory for ratiopharm Ulm's All Star point guard Per Gunther, Saturday's important home win over Hagen was Per's first victory over his former team. After the win, Per celebrated bragging rights over his hometown team while talking with family, former teammates and Hagen friends.
Kevin Martin's physical presence mixing it up in the paint was a welcomed addition and big help in beating Hagen.
More than simply an important win for the team or for Per, Ulm's win over Hagen made new center Kevin Martin's debut victorious and gave Ulm back to back victories bookending their three week break. Looking ahead to their next game, ratiopharm Ulm prepares for a road trip to Frankfurt for a DSF TV game against the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Saturday night Febuary 6th at 5:40pm Central European Time.
ratiopharm Ulm post man John Bryant made energy plays against Phoenix Hagen. Here, John grabs a strong rebound.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther worked extremely hard in the game and was rewarded with bragging rights over his hometown team.
Radio7 morning show personality Jack Krispin leading the pep band with his trombone!
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GO ULM!
MIKE T
