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TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE

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TEAM EFFORT POWERS ULM!

ratiopharm Ulm put seven players in double figures in a 99-79 home win over MBC Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. Captain Lee Humphrey led the strong team effort hitting five of eight threes for a game high 17 points while Robin Benzing added 13 points, John Bryant chipped in 12 points 9 boards, Rocky Trice had 12 points and Dan Fitzgerald drilled four of five threes for 12 points in the win. Coleman Collins contributed 10 points 5 rebounds and Tommy Mason-Griffin sparked Ulm with 10 points 9 assists in his Sportszentrum Kuhberg debut.

ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey hit 5 of 8 threes to lead 7 players in double figures with 17 points in a 99-79 win over MBC.

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ratiopharm Ulm's midweek road trip to Berlin gave the team two days to prepare for Saturday nights game against MBC. Ulm received positive news that Robin Benzing would be back in the lineup after missing Wednesday nights game against ALBA. Along with Robin's return, both Tommy Mason-Griffin and Dan Fitzgerald were excited for their home debut at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.

ratiopharm Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor and Herb Brown watch the BG Illertal Pro B game prior Saturday afternoon.

As ratiopharm Ulm prepared for Saturday night's game against MBC, basketball fans in Ulm anticipated an exciting double header at Sportszentrum Kuhberg as Ulm's farm team BG Illertal Weissenhorn hosted Vechta for a 3pm playoff tip.

ratiopharm Ulm forward Coleman Collins makes his move on the post as Guido Grunheid defends for MBC.

Throughout the week, former NBA coach Herb Brown spent time with the ratiopharm Ulm team in what was a fantastic time for everyone. Coach Brown and his wife Sherri enjoyed their stay in Ulm and Herb was on-court with ratiopharm Ulm and several of their youth teams throughout the week.

ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant skillfully finishes at the rim Saturday night against MBC. John was strong with a 12 point 9 rebound night.

At tip off, ratiopharm Ulm

MBC's Sascha Leutloff finished in the lane and Ronald Ross connected for two as the Wolves opened the game with energy. Coleman Collins scored for Ulm. A Sascha Leutloff free throw lifted MBC to a 7-6 lead. John Bryant powered his way to a finish in the lane giving Ulm their first lead of the game 8-7. With much anticipation from the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd, ratiopharm Ulm's two new additions checked into the game late as Tommy Mason-Griffin and Dan Fitzgerald made their home debut.

ratiopharm Ulm scored the next five points to take a 12-7 advantage five minutes into the game.

ratiopharm Ulm All Star point guard Per Gunther glides to the rim in transition as MBC's Ronald Ross reaches to defend.

Midway through the first quarter, momentum began to build for ratiopharm Ulm. Good ballmovement and teamwork led to good looks and Tommy Mason-Griffin demonstrated his playmaking and passing ability. Sebastian Betz buried a left wing three off an assist from Mason-Griffin before Dan Fitzgerald drilled his first of four three point shots off another dime from 'TMG'. Ulm closed the first quarter strong and held a 24-17 lead after one.

ratiopharm Ulm point guard Tommy Mason-Griffin enjoyed a stellar debut at Sportszentrum Kuhberg with an excellent 10 point 9 assist performance.

ratiopharm Ulm forward Dan Fitzgerald checks into the game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg for the first time since resigning with Ulm. Dan picked up right where he left off sinking 4 of 5 threes for 12 points in Ulm's 99-79 victory over MBC.

As Quarter two opened, ratiopharm Ulm burst to a 13-0 run. Tommy Mason-Griffin continued to shine in his debut finding Rocky Trice for a three pointer with his fifth assist in the first half. Ulm led 33-19 and extended their advantage to a 37-19 lead. ratiopharm Ulm's bench production sparked the second quarter surge. MBC used their second timeout of the first half.

ratiopharm Ulm forward Coleman Collins slams home two points in Saturday's win over MBC.

After five minutes in the second quarter, MBC had cut Ulm's cushion to 39-27. Ulm's concentration slipped as the team failed to capitalize on opportunities to add to their lead. The Wolves went on a 7-0 run and narrowed the gap further to 43-38. ratiopharm Ulm used a timeout.

Out of the timeout, Ulm refocused their game. Captain Lee Humphrey sank a right corner three in transition and the Ulm offensive attack continued. Lee's three was the teams 8th of the first half. As the first half buzzer sounded, the teams went to the lockerroom with Ulm holding a 52-44 cushion.

ratiopharm Ulm point guard Tommy Mason-Griffin threads the needle between MBC defenders.

At the half, Ulm had built an 18 point advantage before MBC trimmed the deficit to 8. It remained anybody's ball game. Ulm focused on the positive plays that helped the team take control of the game and discussed the details in the lockerroom. As a team, Ulm hit 58% from the floor making 8 of 15 threes (53%) but only 2 of 7 free throws (29%). The teams were even on the boards at 15 and Ulm suffered only 5 first half turnovers compared to 12 for MBC.

ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice attacks the basket as MBC's Wayne Bernard defends.

The second half opened a focused Ulm team put together an 11-5 stretch over the first five minutes of the third quarter. Rocky Trice scored on a layup to give Ulm a 54-44 lead. Rocky's extreme hustle plays continued as he flipped over the baseline signboards saving a loose ball. The outstanding effort energized the Ulm team. Robin Benzing finished a fast break with a layup through a foul giving Ulm a 63-49 lead.

ratiopharm Ulm All Star forward Robin Benzing drives strong to the basket as Rastko Dramicanin defends.

Ulm's strong third quarter continued. Per Gunther raced coast to coast using his speed to beat MBC defenders in transition for a layup and a 66-49 Ulm lead. MBC used a timeout and tried to change up the game by playing zone defense. ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey had the answer. Lee's three point shooting powered the Ulm offense through the remainder of the third. Ulm's teamwork and ballmovement clicked. At the end of three, ratiopharm Ulm held a commanding 76-58 lead.

ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant grabs a rebound as Dan Fitzgerald jumps.

ratiopharm Ulm All Star forward Robin Benzing is fouled by MBC's Ronald Ross in the second half of Saturday nights game at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.

In the fourth quarter, the Ulm offense continued to score. Lee Humphrey sank two more three pointers and Dan Fitzgerald added another. Ulm maintained their margin building a 29 point advantage. Holding a 96-67 cushion with five minutes to play, Ulm rotated in their young players Michael Wenzl and Marcel Heberlein to close out the game. At the final buzzer, the team and fans could celebrate a 99-79 win.

ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice finishes in transition as part of his 12 points in Saturday nights win over MBC.

ratiopharm Ulm All Star point guard finishes at the rim as Johnnie Gilbert looks on.

As a team, ratiopharm Ulm shot a sizzling 56% from the floor making 12 of 23 threes (52%) and 17 of 25 from the foul line (68%) while distributing 19 assists and only 14 turnovers. Ulm outrebounded MBC 29-27. Meanwhile, the Wolves shot 50% from the field hitting 7 of 19 from three (37%) and 14 of 26 from the foul line (54%).

ratiopharm Ulm guards Tommy Mason-Griffin and Lee Humphrey celebrate Saturday nights 99-79 home win with Sportszentrum Kuhberg fans.

ratiopharm Ulm put seven players in double figures led by captain Lee Humphrey who hit 5 of 8 threes for a game high 17 points, Robin Benzing added 13 points, John Bryant finished with 12 points 9 boards, Rocky Trice had 12 points, Dan Fitzgerald drilled four of five threes for 12 points, Coleman Collins contributed 10 points 5 rebounds and Tommy Mason-Griffin produced 10 points 9 assists in his Sportszentrum Kuhberg debut. Wayne Bernard led the Wolves with 16 points in the loss while Richard Shields had 14 and Ronald Ross 12 for MBC.

ratiopharm Ulm looks ahead to two games next weekend as they travel to play Phoenix Hagen Friday night in Hagen before returning home to host TBB Trier Sunday at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!

GO ULM!

MIKE T