TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
89 
74
TRIER TOPS ULM
ratiopharm Ulm and Trier went back and forth through an offensive first half before Trier triggered a 16-4 third quarter run Monday night at Trier Arena. Fighting back within five, Ulm's comeback came up short at Trier's Chris Copeland scored 16 of his game high 30 points in the fourth quarter lifting Trier to an 89-74 victory over ratiopharm Ulm Monday night in Trier. Ulm's Rocky Trice was in top form producing a 19 point 10 rebound double double and Austen Rowland added 14 points 3 rebounds 4 assists against his former team.
ratiopharm Ulm's Robin Benzing takes aim on a free throw in the second half of Monday nights game at Trier Arena.
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ratiopharm Ulm defense converges against a Jamal Shuler drive Monday night at Trier Arena.
After a long week of practice including the Easter Sunday holiday, ratiopharm Ulm entered the special Easter holiday game looking to build on last weekends home win over Paderborn, Trier entered Monday's home game against Ulm focused to snap their 11 game losing streak and pick up an important win to help them stay in the Bundesliga.
ratiopharm Ulm's post man John Bryant defends former Ulm center Maksym Shtein in the first half of Monday nights action at Trier Arena.
Monday nights game featured several exciting matchups on the floor including the battle between power forward's in Ulm's Christian Burns and Trier's Chris Copeland. Another sidestory to the game featured Ulm point guard Austen Rowland who led the Bundesliga in assists playing for Ulm in 2006-2007 and also played for Trier during the 2007-2008 year. Finally, Trier center Maksym Shtein anticipated an exciting game against his former Ulm team.
ratiopharm Ulm's Christian Burns and Trier's Chris Copeland match up in Monday nights game at Trier Arena.
At tip off, both teams found their rhythm in the game early. Trier edged ahead with a hot-shooting start behind a two threes from Drew Neitzel and an active Chris Copeland. As the teams exchanged baskets in the offensive game, Trier held a 17-16 lead at the midpoint of the first ten minutes. Ulm finished the first quarter strong with attacking drives and strong finishes to take a 27-25 lead after one.
ratiopharm Ulm's Kevin Martin defends Trier center George Evans in the post Monday night at Trier Arena.
Quarter two saw Ulm point guard Austen kept the offense rolling with excellent attaking plays out of ballscreens. In an interesting situation, referee Volker Conners suffered a leg injury and was forced to leave the game reducing the officiating crew to two as Jens Hegemann and Jurgen Unger adjusted to a two man crew. Breaking down the Trier defense, Ulm's Rowland and Trice slashed into the gaps creating offense for Ulm. Hardwork on the offensive boards also was productive for Ulm as the team grabbed ten offense rebounds in the first half. Trier took a five point lead, 38-33 at the five minute mark of the second quarter, but Ulm responded taking a 39-38 lead on a Coleman Collins slam. But Trier finished the first half strong and went into halftime up 44-41. Austen Rowland finished the first half against his former Trier team with a terrific 10 point 3 rebound 2 assist start while Rocky Trice added 8 points 6 boards.
ratiopharm Ulm's Austen Rowland enjoyed a terrific first half Monday night at Trier Arena.
At the half, Ulm shot 42% from the floor making 4 of 8 threes and 7 of 9 free throws (78%). Outrebounding Trier 24-16, ratiopharm Ulm was effective breaking down the Trier defense in ballscreen situations and the teams hardwork on the boards sparked their good offensive play in the first twenty minutes. But on the defensive end, Ulm allowed Trier to shoot 54% from the field including 4 of 10 threes and 10 of 18 from the foul line (56%).
Emphasizing the defensive effort in the lockerroom, Ulm focused to tighten up their one on one defense in the post and on the perimeter while adding more ballpressure to shooters and containing drivers. With a three point margin at the half, hardwork on the boards and a continued good offensive performance, a better team effort on the defensive end would give Ulm the opportunities they wanted to win the game. With a positive focus for improved play, Ulm aimed for a strong start to the third quarter.
ratiopharm Ulm power forward Christian Burns defends Jamal Shuler forcing the Trier forward into a tough shot.
As the second half opened, Ulm got what they wanted as Austen Rowland turned the corner baseline in a wing ballscreen situation finishing at the rim through a Trier foul. Trier adjusted their ballscreen defense to 'pin-under' and Ulm attacked accordingly. Rowland's layup brought Ulm within one 44-43. But rather than build on the initial momentum, Trier triggered a 7-0 run taking a 53-43 lead. Several unconcentrated turnovers gave Trier easy baskets and the game's momentum. Trying to stop the run with a timeout, Ulm huddled and refocused. But the Ulm turnovers continued as Trier expanded their first run with a second 7-2 surge culminanting with a James Gillingham steal and breakaway giving Trier a 60-45 lead. Ulm's second timeout took place with six minutes remaining in the third. Trier was the team who made the run and took control of the game. Outscoring Ulm 16-4 over the first four minutes of the second half, Trier brought their home crowd into the game as they worked for an important win to keep them safe in the Bundesliga.
Trier point guard Derek Raivio gets a step as ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther chases.
Out of the second timeout, Ulm began to work their way back in the game. Ulm closed the third quarter with a 6-2 run trimming the deficit to 11 points 64-53 at the end of three.
ratiopharm Ulm power forward Christian Burns hustles for a loose ball Monday night in Trier.
In the fourth, Ulm's opportunities presented themselves. Rookie forward Robin Benzing drilled a clutch three pulling Ulm closer at 64-56. Changing defenses to a press and zone, Ulm cut into the deficit even more and Ulm had their chances. Unforced turnovers such as Benzing stepping on the sideline or a three seconds in the lane stymied the rally, but Ulm kept working. Benzing sank a second clutch three cutting the score to 69-62 with 7 minutes remaining. Benzing buried a third triple pulling Ulm to 74-69 with five minutes to play. Out of a Trier timeout, Ulm's press created another turnover as Rocky Trice backtipped the ball loose for a steal. Ulm's Austen Rowland took a ball-ahead pass and attacked three on one focused for the next game-tightening score. But Trier's Derek Raivio reached in and craftily stripped the ball loose in a big turn of events. Down the stretch, Trier's Chris Copeland came up with several clutch baskets in the paint and an important left wing three pointer before icing the game from the foul line in the closing minute. Copeland scored 16 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter lifting Trier to the 89-74 home win.
ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice tracks down Trier guard James Gillingham while retreating from a press Monday.
ratiopharm Ulm was led by Rocky Trice who finished with a terrific 19 point 10 rebound double double while Austen Rowland finished with 14 points 3 rebounds 4 assists and Robin Benzing added 12 points on 3 of 5 three point shooting. As a team, Ulm hit 43% for the game making 8 of 21 threes (38%) and 14 of 19 from the foul line (74%). Rebounds ended even at 36 but Ulm suffered 19 turnovers in the loss. Chris Copeland led all scorers with 30 points 11 rebounds for Trier while Drew Neitzel added 14 points on four of six three point accuracy, James Gillingham added 12 points and George Evans chipped in 10 points 8 boards in the win. Trier sank 50% of their shots making 8 of 19 threes (42%) and 21 of 29 from the foul line (72%).
Trier forward Chris Copeland scored 16 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter making the difference against ratiopharm Ulm
In the special Monday holiday game against Trier ratiopharm Ulm had their opportunities throughout the game, but did not capitalize on them effectively in the road loss. ratiopharm Ulm's next game will be Saturday April 17th against LTi Giessen 46ers at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. With a weekend free for the German Cup Top Four, Ulm will get back onto the practice court for midweek workouts Wednesday and Thursday before giving the players the weekend off. Ulm has four games remaining in the 2009-2010 Beko Basketball Bundesliga regular season.
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GO ULM!
MIKE T
