TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM Tops Leitershofen!
ratiopharm Ulm beat regionaliga Leitershofen/Statbarger 88-49 Wednesday night in preseason basketball action. Using the exhibition game for developing a variety aspects of the team, ratiopharm Ulm gave extra minutes to young players and key reserves throughout the evening.
Ulm's Dru Joyce helped set the tone Wednesday night with excellent defense and solid point guard play.
Starting with rookie PG Dru Joyce, A2 National team wing Sebastian Betz, veteran Jan Sprunken, key post sub Florian Mobius and new big man Sean Finn, Ulm jumped on the young Leitershofen team immediately and built a double digit lead within minutes of the tip. Ulm outscored Leitershofen 21-11 in the first quarter behind disciplined defense and accurate shooting. Subbing in starters mid way through the quarter, Captain Emeka Erege and Jeff Gibbs made their presence felt forcing Leitershofen to switch to a 3-2 zone. Sprunken, Joyce and EJ Gallup drilled threes as the Ulm lead grew. Leitershofen stayed close with three point shots and back to back three point plays but after a 23-16 second quarter Ulm held a 44-27 advantage at the half. Florian Mobius and Konrad Wysocki were particularly effective cutting and shooting against the zone defense. Ulm used the second half to work on a variety of different defensive looks and got out into transition frequently. Ulm outscored Leitershofen 21-13 in the third and took a 65-40 lead going into the fourth. Highlights of Ulm's play included a terrific lob dunk from Kyle Bailey to Jeff Gibbs and several excellent passes in transition along with a third quarter ending flurry of points from the foul line and inbound steal leading to an EJ Gallup buzzer beater from the baseline. Finally, playing rookie players including 16yr old F Alex Heide, Ulm finished the fourth quarter 23-9 for an 88-49 win. Florian Mobius and EJ Gallup topscored with 16 points apiece while Konrad Wysocki added 13 and Jeff Gibbs 9. Dru Joyce and Sean Finn chipped in 8 points each while Jan Spruken contributed 6. Sebastian Betz and Emeka Erege followed with 5 apiece and Kyle Bailey added 2. Ulm returned home after the game but is on the road again Friday for a 3pm tip in Karlsruhe before continuing the weekend road trip into Strassbourg France for a 6pm Saturday game.
Ulm's Jan Sprunken maximized minutes in Wednesdays win at Leitershofen as the veteran played well on both ends to help his team.
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GO ULM!
MIKE T
