TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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LUDWIGSBURG KNOCKS ULM OUT OF CUP!
ratiopharm Ulm saw their dreams of a trip to Hamburg's Colorline Arena and a German Cup Top Four appearance end with a 101-75 loss in Ludwigsburg at Rundesporthalle Wednesday night. Five days after their upset win over EnBW Ludwigsburg, ratiopharm Ulm ran out of gas down the stretch against the determined Ludwigsburg squad. A close game through three quarters, Ulm was outscored 30-12 in the final quarter and 25-6 after a bench technical foul on Head Coach Mike Taylor for throwing his suitcoat in dispute of several calls. In the end, Ludwigsburg's rebounding advantage (47-29), timely three point shooting and strong team defense was the difference in helping them advance to Hamburg and the Top Four. Meanwhile, for Ulm, the surprising and exciting German Cup run ends in the Elite Eight.
While Ulm's upset win last Saturday gave them Round one of the Baden Wurtemburg Derby, Wednesday's Round Two went to Ludwigsburg in a Knockout.
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs finishes this acrobatic under-the-rim-lay-in. Gibbs was excellent for Ulm scoring a team best 24 points with 7 boards in Wednesday nights German Cup Elite Eight loss.
click here for complete Ulm @ Ludwigsburg Box Score
After Saturday's road loss at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm, EnBW Ludwigsburg left with a bitter taste in their mouth. Head Coach Silvano Poropat promised the current second place team in Bundesliga standings would present themselves differently in the rematch for the Cup. Certainly, Silvano challenged his team to be at their best as they sought revenge. After Ulm big men Jeff Gibbs, Bryan Lucas and Maksym Shtein combined for a terrific effort in their victory on Saturday, Ludwigsburg big men responded to the challenge early. From the opening tip, Pavelas Cukinas and Nate Harris established themselves on both ends of the floor with strong post moves on offense and tough position-work and rebounding on defense. Ludwigsburg jumped out to an early lead. Their defensive pressure prevented Ulm from establishing a rhythm early on and the Ulm shot selection was very perimeter. Fortunately, both Jeff Gibbs and Bryan Lucas buried early threes. Unfortunately, when the shots missed, Ludwigsburg broke out into their fast break game which resulted in easy scores and an early Ludwigsburg lead. Soon, behind hardwork in the lane from Ulm reserves Konrad Wysoki and Maksym Shtein, the guests clawed their way back into the game. Weathering the first storm, Ulm pulled within one possession and finished the first quarter trailing by one 25-24.
Wednesday night, Ulm G Jonathan Levy was the focus of tough Ludwigsburg defense after his 26 point explosion last Saturday in Ulm's upset win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
Ulm defense recorded stops which helped the team establish their own transition game. After an early second quarter steal, new Ulm G EJ Gallup dashed coast to coast and finished a beautiful left hand layup at extension over Ludwigsburg C Pavelas Cukinas. Ulm's Jeff Gibbs powered his way to points through contact in the lane. But it was Ludwigsburg's top players --- point guard Jerry Green and C Pavelas Cukinas --- who pushed the hosts ahead. During a key stretch in the second quarter, Ulm simply missed several open looks from the perimeter which Ludwigsburg turned into transition scores. Ulm also allowed several offensive rebounds and stick back scores which helped Ludwigsburg take control of the backboards and paint. When Ludwigsburg big man Michel Nascimento snuffed a Jeff Gibbs twisting post move, Gibbs strained his back muscles which caused him to collapse to the floor in agony. Ulm medical staff of Dr Christophe Buch and team physiotherapist Andi Lacher immediately tended to Gibbs and removed him to the locker room for treatment. Tough from his football days, the Ulm all star power forward returned to the bench and re-entered the game before the half was over. However, a Ludwigsburg run had established momentum for the home team. At the half, Ludwigsburg held a 45-37 lead.
New Ulm G EJ Gallup finishes a beautiful left hand layup at extension over Ludwigsburg big man Pavelas Cukinas in the second quarter. Gallup continued his integration into the Ulm team playing 19 minutes in the Cup game.
Twenty minutes into this German Cup Elite Eight matchup, it was still anybodies ball game. Ulm had fought hard to stay in the game after an early run from the hosts. Addressing key concerns of finishing plays strong in the lane through contact, making sure every player physically blocked out before rebounding the ball and reviewing the fine points of the defensive game play, ratiopharm Ulm knew they needed to find a way to make some plays to take momentum in the game and make this upset happen. Twenty minutes away from a major accomplishment, the Top Four in Hamburg, Ulm players aimed to make a run in the third.
Ulm Captain Emeka Erege is sandwiched between two Ludwigsburg defenders during this first quarter drive. Ludwigsburg defense and rebounding were keys to their win.
And make a run they did. Inspired by a fantastic team defensive effort, ratiopharm Ulm fought their way back into the game pulling as close as two (49-47) just two minutes into the second half. Strong sealing and post feeding resulted in two powerful Jeff Gibbs baskets early in the third quarter. Point guard Austen Rowland made crafty plays during the stretch and Ulm was right where they wanted to be. Outstanding defensive effort from Captain Emeka Erege and improved defensive rebounding helped spark the Ulm run. Unfortunately, as would be the case the entire evening, once Ulm got close, efforts to make the big play came up empty.
Jeff Gibbs strained his back making a mid-second quarter post move momentarily sending him to the lockerroom. After Ulm medical staff of Physio Andi Lacher and Team Dr. Buch examined him, Gibbs returned to be Ulm's most physical and most effective player.
From the 8 minute mark of the third through the remainder of the quarter, both teams battled head to head. Experience began to become a difference as the third quarter progressed. Ulm came up empty on several key possessions and critical transition opportunities. Immediately, every missed transition three or layup was converted into a fast break bucket at the other end. The end to end action was fantastic for the fans. Before the third ended, the small Ludwigsburg run, fended off Ulm's comeback and re-established the hosts lead. The even third quarter (26-26) resulted in Ludwigsburg 71-63 lead going into the fourth.
Ulm C Maksym Shtein slams one home in his former home. The former Ludwigsburg big man played well against his old team scoring 10 points with 5 rebounds off the Ulm bench.
Action continued in the early phases of the fourth. It was during the late third quarter and early fourth that ratiopharm Ulm struggled to get over the hump. The teams intense defensive effort was short circuited with defensive rebounding problems and failure to finish easy plays in the lane. Both situations resulted in easy Ludwigsburg baskets from offensive rebound-stickbacks and run-outs in transition. Working hard to come back, repeated Ulm plays in the paint through contact were whistle-free. Jeff Gibbs powered through contact but missed. Jonathan Levy exploded baseline to the rim through contact and lost control of the ball. Each time touch fouls were whistled against Ulm at the other end. With each situation Ulm's frustration rose. Finally, Levy attacked the basket again in transition only to meet the same fate without a foul. In dispute, as the teams transitioned back the other end toward the Ulm bench, Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor took off his suitcoat and fired it off the sponsor sign. The action immediately received a necessary technical foul. Like the empty possessions which allowed Ludwigsburg to build their lead over double digits, Taylor's discussions with the officials also came up empty. Cooly, Ludwigsburg shooting guard Je'Kel Foster sank both technical fouls and the crowd went crazy.
After the T, with 7 minutes remaining in the game, Ludwigsburg went on a 25-6 run including scoring the games final 13 unanswered points. Ludwigsburg leader Jerry Green then took over the remainder of the game. Green buried a three, created easy baskets for teammates and controlled the tempo, clearly demonstrating his case for Bundesliga MVP. Ulm's efforts simply ran out of gas. Missed shots at the rim and four consecutive missed free throws contributed to Ulm's scoring slump. A three from former Ulm captain and current Ludwigsburg captain, Nils Mittmann sealed the deal. Ludwigsburg fans chanted "Sieg" and the final seconds ticked off the clock sending the host fans into celebration and sending the team to Hamburg. ratiopharm Ulm's surprising German Cup run came to an end.
ratiopharm Ulm's Jeff Gibbs was in fine form scoring 24 points with 7 rebounds despite a strained back which sent him to the lockerroom in the second quarter. Austen Rowland added 11 points with 4 assists in his competitive effort while Konrad Wysocki (team high 8 rebounds) and Maksym Shtein chipped in 10 points apiece. At the end of the game, scanning the stat sheet, certain statistics clearly state the result of the game. Ludwigsburg's outstanding effort on the boards outrebounding Ulm 47-29 was a key. EnBW's 55% floor shooting and 75% shooting in the lane (27-36) was also excellent. Production from key players Jerry Green (25 points 5 assists 4 rebounds), Pavelas Cukinas (17 points 15 rebounds) and support from key 6th man Nils Mittmann (14 points 8 rebounds) sparked the big win. Also one must not overlook the outstanding defensive effort from the Ludwigsburg team which limited Ulm to 39% from the floor.
The Baden Wurtemburg Derby provided basketball fans in the region fun and excitement as ratiopharm Ulm and EnBW Ludwigsburg played back to back, home and home games within five days. While Ulm took the important Bundesliga two points for their upset home win Saturday, Ludwigsburg clearly earned their trip to Hamburg and the TopFour tournament with Wednesday nights convincing win. Despite the loss, ratiopharm Ulm can take great pride in advancing to the Elite Eight round as an "Aufsteiger". And now, the complete focus can be placed on a strong finish to the Bundesliga season!
Follow all the fastbreaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
