TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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LUDWIGSBURG WINS IN ULM
Soldout Sportszentrum Kuhberg was the perfect setting for the Schwabische Derby between ratiopharm Ulm and EnBW Ludwigsburg. A close, competitive game through three quarters, rival EnBW Ludwigsburg edged ahead in the fourth as Ulm forced plays offensively and their comeback came up short in an 84-76 home loss. Winning for the first time in Ulm, EnBW Ludwigsburg had better focus and ballmovement over the forty minute game.
ratiopharm Ulm's Coleman Collins scores two with authority against his former team EnBW Ludwigsburg Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
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ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey shoots a baseline pullup Saturday night against EnBW Ludwigsburg. Lee finished with 10 points 7 rebounds in Ulm's Derby loss.
Saturday nights Schwabische Derby at Sportszetrum Kuhberg provided basketball fans in Baden-Wurtemburg reason to get excited as ratiopharm Ulm hosted EnBW Ludwigsburg with an energized sell-out crowd. On a weekend filled with fantastic basketball all over the world, Saturday's Derby game fit in perfectly with the excitement generated by NCAA conference tournaments and stretch run of the NBA. All over the world, basketball games with meaning tipped off --- Saturday's Schwabische Derby was one of these special games with meaning for both teams.
ratiopharm Ulm's rookie forward Robin Benzing protects the basketball from EnBW Ludwigsburg forward Richard Chaney.
Focused for the rivalry game, ratiopharm Ulm and EnBW Ludwigsburg had plenty to play for. With Ludwigsburg in the fight for a playoff place, ratiopharm Ulm was focused for revenge from a November road loss at new Ludwigsburg arena.
ratiopharm Ulm's Kevin Martin powers his way to the basket for two Saturday night against EnBW Ludwigsburg.
At tip off, Ulm and Ludwigsburg found their rhythm in the game early. Both teams pushed the ball in transition and created offensive opportunities. Early on, Ulm was up 11-7. Five minutes into action, Ulm held a 13-12 lead. Minuts later, a David McCray corner three evened the score at 17 apiece. Despite a good offensive performance, throughout the first quarter, Ulm suffered several unconcentrated turnovers finishing the first quarter with 7 turnovers. At the end of the first ten minutes, Ludwigsburg took a 26-24 advantage into the quarter break.
ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice rises above EnBW Ludwigsburg defenders for two points at the rim Saturday night.
Quarter two, Ulm picked up their concentration level and helped themselves in the game. Both teams pushed the tempo and the action was filled with fast breaks and quick plays. The game remained close as teams exchanged baskets back and forth. Trailing 28-24, Ulm scored six straight points to take a 30-28 lead, but Ludwigsburg responded with an 8-0 run to reclaim a 36-30 advantage. Ulm countered with back to back buckets and at the midpoint of the second quarter, Ludwigsburg maintained their slim lead 36-34. Late in the first half, Robin Benzing drilled a left corner three in transition putting Ulm up 42-38 as Ulm finished the first half strong taking a 43-40 lead into the halftime lockerroom.
At the half, Ulm held a three point lead. As a team, Ulm shot 47% from the floor including 2 of 8 from three along with 7 of 11 from the foul line (64%) while outrebounding Ludwigsburg 25-13. On the other end, Ludwigsburg shot 42% from the field making 6 of 15 threes (40%) and a perfect 6 of 6 from the foul line. A key stat for Ulm in the first half was their 26-16 advantage in points in the paint.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Austen Rowland reads the EnBW Ludwigsburg defense in a ballscreen situation.
As the second half opened, the Derby game tightened. Richard Chaney scored for Ludwigsburg before Ulm's Lee Humphrey drilled a trademark three giving Ulm a 46-42 lead. Back to back Ludwigsburg threes from power forward Quadre Lollis and TJ Thompson pushed Ludwigsburg ahead 48-46 leading to an Ulm timeout. Ulm evened the score at 48. Five minutes into the third quarter, the game was even at 50. The teams were tied at 55 and 57 as the Schwabische Derby found its form. But a key point to the game took place at the end of the third quarter. Ludwigsburgs Richard Chaney sank a three pointer pushing Ludwigsburg ahead 60-57 and a mismanaged last possession for Ulm resulted in a turnover and runout layup by Ludwigsburg Domonic Jones just before the quarter buzzer. The fast five points gave the guests a 62-57 advantage along with momentum going into the fourth quarter.
ratiopharm Ulm post man John Bryant works hard on the offensive boards Saturday night against EnBW Ludwigsburg.
In the fourth, Ludwigsburg made key plays while Ulm forced plays. Richard Chaney stepped up again curling a screen for a cool jumper pushing Ludwigsburg up 66-59. Moments later Chaney buried another three extending the margin to 69-62. Ulm responded with a basket trimming the gap to 69-64. Looking for the right combination on the evening, Ulm substituted Robin Benzing in the game as a four hoping to create matchup problems for the Ludwigsburg front line. Unfortunately, Ulm did not attack with intelligence at the time and could not take advantage of the skilled stretch four man. Meanwhile, on the other end, the veteran power player Quadre Lollis scored on an endline inbound dive cut, picked up a foul on a post up and scored inside getting the better of the matchup. The Ludwigsburg lead stretched to 10 at 78-68. Ulm made their final adjustments. Ulm responded with six straight points cutting the deficit to four 78-74 forcing a Ludwigsburg timeout. Richard Chaney stepped up again scoring a critical basket stretching the game to six 80-74. Ulm came up empty on their next possession and Ludwigsburg called timeout.
ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey attacks the Ludwigsburg defense in transition Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
Out of the timeout, Ulm trapped the inbound pass forcing a turnover as TJ Thompson dribbled the ball out of bounds along the right sideline in front of the scorers table. Ulm used their final timeout to design their play from the midcourt sideline inbound. Unfortunately, a lack of execution force the team to break off the play resulting in Lee Humphrey forced to go one on one. Ludwigsburg's Richard Chaney got a piece of Lee's three point pullup and Ludwigsburg grabbed the defelected rebound. Ulm was forced to foul as their best chance to come back was missed. Down the stretch, Ludwigsburg cooly sank their free throws sealing their first win at Sportszentrum Kuhberg since Ulm returned to the Bundesliga in 2006-2007.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther calls the play during Saturday nights Schwabische Derby at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
For the game, ratiopharm Ulm hit 40% of their shots including 5 of 20 threes (25%) and 15 of 26 free throws (58%). Ulm outrebounded Ludwigsburg 43-36 and finished the game with 12 turnovers after suffering 7 in the first quarter. Ludwigsburg sank 48% of their shots making 11 of 27 threes (41%) and 13 of 17 free throws (76%). While Ulm had solid effort defensively and on the boards, the team needed better offensive shot selection and ballmovement than displayed.
ratiopharm Ulm power forward Christian Burns finishes in the lane as Ludwigsburg's Kyle Visser defends.
ratiopharm Ulm was led by Rocky Trice who finished with 19 points 6 rebounds, Kevin Martin who had 12 points and drew 9 fouls with physical play and captain Lee Humphrey who finished with 10 points 7 boards. EnBW Ludwigsburg was led by Richard Chaney who enjoyed an outstanding game finishing with 25 points 9 rebounds in the win while Mike King had 13 points 6 boards.
ratiopharm Ulm looks ahead to a road trip to Braunschweig for a Sunday tip off against the Phantoms. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
