TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
Ulm Opens Preseason with Win!
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ratiopharm Ulm opened their preseasons schedule with a solid 82-78 road win Saturday night at Nordlingen. Forwards Konrad Wysocki (15 points 13 rebounds) and Jeff Gibbs (15 points 12 rebounds) led the way with double-doubles as ratiopharm Ulm built a 17 point lead in quarter three before a hardfought comeback by the home team. After Nordlingen had cut the Ulm lead to one point (74-73), dependable Forward Florian Mobius scored 5 clutch points on a cutting layup and clinching three pointer to seal the victory.
Konrad Wysocki produced a strong double double of 15 points 13 rebounds in Ulm's preseason opening win.
After one week of practice, ratiopharm Ulm took the floor for their preseason opener just over one hour north against cooperating organization Pro A Nordlingen. Both teams were without important pieces as Ulm captain Emeka Erege missed the game resting a slight muscle strain while Nordlingen's top new signing, F Ty Shaw, also was absent while completing playoffs for his team in Australlia. Along with Shaw, veteran G Joe Tesfaldet was also sidelined with a minor leg injury for Nordlingen. Both Erege and Shaw will return to their teams in coming weeks with Emeka scheduled to practice Monday in Ulm.
Ulm Power Forward Jeff Gibbs scored several key baskets as part of his quality 15 point 12 rebound night.
At tip off, the game clearly looked like a preseason matchup. Sevearl turnovers and missed shots spotted action as Ulm and Nordlingen worked to shake off the off-season rust. Rotating the teams bench freely, Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor entered all 10 active players into the first quarter and the team responded with a late run to take a 20-13 advantage after 1. Ulm's Jeff Gibbs powered his way to points in the paint while EJ Gallup and Konrad Wysocki started strong. Also making an impact, Ulm rookie PG Dru Joyce provided a spark to his new team.
Ulm PG Kyle Bailey defends Nordlingen's Osvaldo Jeanty in Saturday's preseason opener. Kyle made several big assists down the stretch and sank two crunchtime free throws to help his new team win.
Nordlingen battled back in the early second quarter as Ulm offense struggled to maintain consistency. As expected, Ulm players showed excellent potential but also much room for improvement in execution. After weathering the home team's surge, Ulm answered with a strong finish to the quarter to earn a 36-31 lead heading to the halftime locker room.
Ulm rookie point guard Dru Joyce was impressive in the teams preseason opener. Dru finished with 10 points on 4 of 6 shooting and ran the team well.
With a solid first half under their belt, Ulm focused on several adjustments for the third quarter. Completing the first half with solid man to man D, Ulm began to work on their changing defenses and created a cushion. Again, EJ Gallup put his imprint on the game helping Ulm build a double digit lead creatively. Energized defense created opportunities to run and Ulm finished the third leading 60-47. The run continued into the final quarter and after Gallup buried his second three, Ulm held a commanding 67-50 lead early in the 4th. With a 17 point advantage, Ulm seemed to relax as Nordlingen turned it up. Several empty possessions allowed Nordlingen the chance to cut into the large lead and a string of fouls called against Ulm gave the hosts chance to pull closer. For the game Nordlingen was outstanding from the foul line sinking 22 of 27 for 81%. As the game clock ticked down, so did Ulm's lead.
Ulm post player Bryan Lucas hits a turnaround J over Nordlingen's Dima Raststatter in Saturday nights preseason game. Bryan scored 9 points with 4 boards and a consistent 5 of 6 from the foul line.
Finally, with just over two minutes remaining, Ulm held a one point lead 74-73. Moments later, on a loose ball scramble for an offensive rebound, Ulm post man Bryan Lucas was whistled for his 5th foul. Ready on the bench, ratiopharm Ulm's dependable longest-tenured player, forward Florian Mobius, checked in and made an immediate impact. During the games decisive possessions, Mobius made decisive plays. First, the veteran F converted an outstanding dive cut from a ballscreen to a big basket. Mobius screened for PG Kyle Bailey and cut hard to the hoop. As Bailey handled the Nordlingen defensive double team with strength, the new Ulm floor general zipped a pass to Konrad Wysocki in the corner who immediately sent the ball into the cutting Mobius for the clutch score. Moments later, at the top of the key in the games ultimate possession, Flo ballscreened Bailey who drew the double team and reverse-pivoted away from pressure allowing him to slip a soft pass to the popping Mobius. Flo cooly drained the money basket sealing Ulm's first preseason win.
Overall, ratiopharm Ulm can be pleased with their first preseason performance. Individually and collectively, the team demonstrated excellent potential yet vast room for improvement. Ulm won the rebound-battle 43-24 and limited Nordlingen to 37% from the floor while making 46% of their own shots. As expected, Ulm's execution was far from perfect as the team totaled 21 turnovers in their first preseason action. Forwards Konrad Wysocki (15 points 13 rebounds) and Jeff Gibbs (15 points 12 rebounds), found their offensive rhythm in producing double doubles. Shooting guard EJ Gallup showed flashes of his explosive offensive ability on his way to 14 points while rookie PG Dru Joyce also was sharp in his first action collecting 10 points on 4 of 6 floor shooting. For Nordlingen, import guards Osvaldo Jeanty and Lashon Sheffield topscored with 18 points apiece.
ratiopharm Ulm returns to the practice floor Monday and will tip off their second preseason game Tuesday night at Bayreuth. Follow all the fastbreaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
ratiopharm Ulm 82 Nordlingen 75
ratiopharm Ulm:Wysocki 15pt 13reb 4ast Gibbs 15pt 12reb
Gallup 14pt Joyce 10pt Lucas 9pt 4reb Bailey 5pt 3stl
Mobius 5pt 3reb Betz 4pt Finn 3pt 4reb Sprunken 2pt
Team: FG 26-57 (46%) FT 26-35 (74%) 43reb 21turn
Nordlingen: Jeanty 18pt Sheffield 18pt Mbassa 8pt Kazarnovski 8pt 4reb Raststatter 8pt 4reb Knoch 8pt Buchmiller 5pt Matic 2pt 5reb
Team: FT 23-26 (37%) FT 22-27 (81%) 24reb 12 turn
