TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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Ulm Tops Trier in Cup!
ratiopharm Ulm started fast with a 23-13 first quarter and maintained a 48-36 halftime lead before holding off a furious Trier rally Thursday night in Ulm's hardfought 73-68 German Cup win at Trier Arena. Rookie point guard Dru Joyce, replacing injured starter Kyle Bailey, was fantastic scoring a game high 27 points including a perfect 13 for 13 from the foul line. Emphasizing a complete "Team-effort", Bryan Lucas added 12 points 7 boards and Jeff Gibbs 11 points 6 rebounds as Ulm used every active player in their rotation in order to stay fresh for Saturdays home game against the Deutsche Bank Skyliners. With the win, ratiopharm Ulm advances into the Sweet 16 of the German Cup and will host digibu Baskets Paderborn in the next round.
Ulm's Dru Joyce topscored with 27 points including a perfect 13 for 13 from the foul line in Thursday nights German Cup win!
Coming into the game, Trier seemed to have an advantage in the backcourt as former Ulm PG Austen Rowland and former Michigan State star Marcus Taylor led the attack against Ulm's rookie Dru Joyce. Few Trier fans expected events that played out. Immediately, a focused Ulm team took control jumping to a 9-1 lead. After the excellent first quarter, Ulm held a 23-13 lead spearheaded by 11 points from Joyce. The Ulm bench played a solid role in the success as every active player got minutes in the first half. In the second quarter, the lead expanded to 15 as Ulm took a 40-25 advantage. Trier's Caleb Green helped the home team cut the deficit. But in the final seconds, Bryan Lucas rebounded an errant free throw and putback the ball before the buzzer giving Ulm a 48-36 halftime lead. At the half, it was Dru Joyce who starred with 19 points on a perfect 6 for 6 from the floor and 5 for 5 from the foul line. Ulm hit 63% from the floor and outrebounded Trier 16 to 15. Rallying in the third quarter, Trier outscored Ulm 16-11 sparked by their raised intensity level and physical play. A technical foul on Jeff Gibbs and an intentional foul on Bryan Lucas further helped the Trier run. Later Trier's Daniel Cage was hit with a technical foul. Despite the building Trier momentum, Ulm held their lead. After three, the scoreboard read 59-52 for Ulm. In the fourth, tensions reached a boiling point. Trier and Ulm played extremely physical on both ends and evey inch on the floor was for competition. The game drew close. A technical foul on Ulm coach Mike Taylor sent James Gillingham to the foul line where he converted one of two. With nearly four minutes on the clock and the game evened at 65, a big Austen Rowland 3 gave Trier a 68-65 advantage. It would be his last points of the evening as moments later he would collect a 5th foul. Ulm responded with big Jeff Gibbs baskets and clutch Dru Joyce free throws. Leading 69-68, Konrad Wysocki scored on an offensive rebound with 34 seconds remaining. Following a timeout, the Ulm all star drew a key charge on Trier's Caleb Green. Wysocki sealed the win when he grabbed an offensive rebound off a Jeff Gibbs missed free throw. EJ Gallups' final shots set the final score in Ulm's 73-68 Cup win. Dru Joyce was outstanding for Ulm topscoring with 27 points including a perfect 13 for 13 from the foul line. Bryan Lucas (12 points 7 boards) and Jeff Gibbs (11 points 6 rebounds) were strong and Konrad Wysocki made several key plays in adding 9 points 11 boards to the win. The Ulm bench was critical to the team success with captain Emeka Erege contributing 5 points 2 rebounds and tough defense. Center Sean Finn also gave his team good minutes scoring 2 points and grabbing 4 boards despite playing with the flu.
With the win in Trier, ratiopharm Ulm advances to the German Cup Sweet 16 and will host digibu Baskets Paderborn at a date to be determined. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
