tubingenhomewin0910

TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE

8079

ULM'S PERFECT FINISH!

ratiopharm Ulm and Walter Tigers Tubingen have arguably the best rivalry in the Beko Basketball Bundesliga and Saturday nights season finale scripted the next fantastic chapter in the Baden Wurtemburg Derby. After former Ulm forward Romeo Travis finished his baseline basket cut with a strong 'And1' three point play, Tubingen positioned themselves for a win leading 79-77 with 10 seconds remaining. But ratiopharm Ulm saved their best for last as Robin Benzing sank the game-winning three pointer with 1.3 seconds to play sending Sportszentrum Kuhberg into celebration! Hitting a tough shot from the right wing, Robin put the perfect finishing touch to the 2009-2010 ratiopharm Ulm season --- an 80-79 last second win over rivals Tubingen.

ratiopharm Ulm's Robin Benzing hit the game winning three pointer with 1.3 seconds to play lifing his team to an exciting 80-79 home in over rival Walter Tigers Tubingein in the season-finale Baden Wurtemburg Derby.

click here for Box score

click here for Sudwest Presse photo gallery from Ulm v Tubingen

click here for photo gallery from Ulm v Tubingen

click here for regio-tv report

ratiopharm Ulm focused to finish their season strong, together.

Focused to finish their season strong, ratiopharm Ulm entered Saturday nights Baden Wurtemburg Derby against rival Walter Tigers Tubingen hungry for a Derby victory. After a strong performance on their two game road trip last weekend, ratiopharm Ulm prepared for their season finale with the goal to end the season with a Derby win at home. A seasons full of hardwork and improvement would have a positive ending with a home win. Ulm's team also remembered their late December road loss at Paul Horn Arena to their rival Tigers. With determination and motivation, ratiopharm Ulm was excited about their season finale Baden Wurtemburg Derby against Walter Tigers Tubingen.

ratiopharm Ulm's John Bryant diving to the lane in the first quarter of Saturday nights season-finale Baden Wurtemburg Derby against Walter Tigers Tubingen.

ratiopharm Ulm power forward Christian Burns hits a pullup jumpshot over Walter Tiger Tubingen forward Aleksander Nadjfeji.

Sportszentrum Kuhberg was sold out for the season finale and fans from both teams packed the old-school gym for the Baden Wurtemburg Derby. With main sponsor ratiopharm enjoying a company event for employees, CEO Oliver Windholz and ratiopharm wore orange ratiopharm baseball caps in support of their company and team. The ratiopharm Ulm fan block was ready too, pounding drums, chanting and making tremendous noise well before tip in a duel between tribunes with the Tubingen fan block. Meaningful for fans and cities, both teams showed tremendous respect for the rivalry and were ready to play.

ratiopharm Ulm played Saturday's Baden Wurtemburg Derby with passion, energy and enthusiasm!

At tip off, Ulm and Tubingen worked to establish themselves in the emotional game. The visiting Tigers found their game early taking a fast 9-0 lead. Ulm missed several early attempts allowing the Tigers to build the early advantage. Per Gunther put Ulm on the scoreboard first, finishing a drive strong in the lane. Ulm worked their way back into the game with defensive stops and transition plays before Per made his presence felt again drilling a left wing transition three pulling Ulm within one 13-12. Moments later, a left wing three from Coleman Collins gave ratiopharm Ulm their first lead of the evening 15-13 with 3 minutes to play in the first quarter. But the experienced Tubingen veterans showed their skill level as Aleksander Nadjfeji helped the Tigers finish the first quarter strong scoring 8 points. The much anticipated Derby began to find its intense and competitive form as Ulm ran to a 26-23 lead after one.

ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther defends Walter Tigers Tubingen point guard Branislav Ratkovica early in Saturday's Baden Wurtemburg Derby.

ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Robin Benzing

ratiopharm Ulm guard Lee Humphrey pushes the basketball in transition after picking up a steal in the first quarter of Saturday's action.

ratiopharm Ulm post man Coleman Collins slams for two against the Tigers.

As Quarter two began, Tubingen's sharpshooting forward Dane Watts stepped up. The former Creighton University Blue Jay drilled two important threes igniting the Tiger attack and helping the guests to a 36-32 'fuehrung'. In the early second quarter stretch, Ulm turnovers slowed their attack as the team suffered offensive fouls, errand passes and forced plays but a Rocky Trice 'And1' finish brought Ulm back within one 36-35. Reducing their turnovers with simple, strong plays, Ulm began to rebuild momentum and Coleman Collins evened the game at 38 with his second three pointer of the night. Focusing to finish the first half strong, Ulm used their last timeout with two minutes to play. Executing well down the stretch, Ulm took a 40-39 lead into the halftime lockerroom.

ratiopharm Ulm point guard Austen Rowland sizes up his defender in Saturday nights game against rival Walter Tigers Tubingen.

At the half, Ulm focused their discussions on the defensive end specifically defensive help and rotations in Tubingen ballscreen situations. Entering the game, Ulm was very focused to stop the ballhandler, but Tubingen did an excellent job of using second-feeders with ballmovement in the first half. Ulm also allowed two offensive rebounds from free throw situations in the first twenty minutes. On the offensive end, the team discussed more attention to details without the basketball and teamwork to reduce turnovers. As expected, the Derby stood with a one point difference at halftime. Ulm got fired up and prepared for a 40 minute game as they left the lockerroom for the second half.

ratiopharm Ulm rookie forward Robin Benzing attacks the Tubingen defense in the first half of Saturday nights Baden Wurtemburg Derby.

As the second half opened, Ulm's Rocky Trice took over. With Ulm up 42-40, Rocky forced a mismatch after Tubingen defense switched a ballscreen and Trice took Tiger center Kenny Williams to the basket. Driving left, Rocky spun quickly back to the right before gliding to the rim for the easy layin pushing Ulm to a 44-40 lead. Moments later, a pick and roll play set up Ulm center Kevin Martin for a powerful two hand slam giving Ulm a 50-44 advantage with 6 minutes to play in the third. But as with any Derby game, teams make runs and expect to fight for 40 plus minutes. Responding to the ratiopharm Ulm run, Tubingen turned to Branislav Ratkovica and Aleksandar Nadjfeji for big plays and with two minutes to play in the third, Ulm clung to a 57-56 lead. As the teams positioned themselves for the final quarter of the season, Ulm held onto their slim margin 59-57.

ratiopharm Ulm's Coleman Collins and Robin Benzing defend former Ulm forward Romeo Travis.

ratiopharm Ulm power forward Christian Burns leads the attack.

ratiopharm Ulm center Kevin Martin dunks for two in the fourth quarter against the Tigers.

Motivated and energized, Ulm made a run to open the fourth quarter as captain Lee Humphrey hit five straight points nailing a pullup jumper on the left wing before drilling a deep top of the key three. Sportszentrum Kuhberg showed signs of celebration as Ulm showed signs of taking control in the game. Leading 64-57, Ulm enjoyed their biggest lead of the night. But plenty of time remained for a Tubingen answer.

ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey sparked an Ulm run with back to back baskets in the fourth.

ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther works against Tubingen's Michael Jenkins.

The answer came from Tigers shooting guard Michael Jenkins. With his team needing big baskets, Jenkins stepped up sinking four straight clutch three point shots to single-handidly turn the tide of the game and recapture momentum for Tubingen. When the smoke cleared from the Michael Jenkins shootout, Tubingen led 70-66 with 6 minutes to play. With Tubingen on a run, Ulm needed a big basket. Robin Benzing buried a clutch three from the left side pulling Ulm within three 72-69 and helping to settle the team down. With less than five minutes to play, Sportszentrum Kuhberg was the loudest and rowdiest atmosphere all season.

Tubingen's Michael Jenkins took over drilling four straight clutch three pointers in a late fourth quarter run for the Tigers.

Ken Williams banked in a post move for Tubingen before Christian Burns banked in a strong drive left for Ulm setting the score at 74-71 with 4 minutes to play. Rocky Trice cooly sank two free throws with two minutes to play cutting the Tubingen lead to one 74-73. Both teams worked with tremendous intensity on the defensive end, battling for every inch. After an Ulm defensive stop and transition attack, a strong Christian Burns drive rimmed out. With Tiger players ferociously pursuing the rebound, Ulm's Coleman Collins reached in to tip the basketball high off the backboard and in for two regaining the lead for Ulm 75-74. 1:36 remained. A clutch pullup jumpshot from Trice put Ulm up three 77-74 as Sportszentrum Kuhberg overheated with every intense second. Tubingen's Dane Watts finished a strong drive down the middle of the lane on the Tigers next possession and Ulm led 77-76 with less than one minute to play.

ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice spins in the lane to finish at the rim for an important bucket in the closing minutes of the Baden Wurtemburg Derby Saturday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.

Ulm's Rocky Trice milked the clock at the top before positioning himself for a late-clock ballscreen. Tubingen defense tightened. Coleman Collins moved up toward Rocky to set the screen, but the Tigers defense prevented penetration handling the situation well. Making a quick pass, Rocky fired the ball to an open Robin Benzing in the left corner. Aiming for the big basket, Benzing rimmed out a good look and Tubingen regained control of the basketball grabbing the defensive rebound with 21 seconds left.

ratiopharm Ulm guard Rocky Trice organizes the offense on a critical fourth quarter possession.

Michael Jenkins pushed the ball up the right sideline and the Tigers spaced the floor. All Sportszentrum Kuhberg eyes were on the drama unfolding on the floor. The shotclock shut off as the final seconds of the 2009-2010 seasons were ticking down as the game clock counted down from 20.

Jenkins drove strong from the right side drawing Ulm defenders. Reading the play, former Ulm forward Romeo Travis intelligently made a sharp baseline basket cut attacking the gap. Jenkins slipped a bounce pass to the cutting Travis who glided between challenging Ulm defenders before finishing a tough layup at the rim through a foul. As the Tubingen fans celebrated the big play and big points, Romeo seemed to step into the spotlight as he stepped to the foul line. Completing the three point play with the clutch free throw against his former team in his first official visit back to Sportszentrum Kuhberg, Romeo gave Tubingen a 79-77 lead with 10.3 seconds to play in the Baden Wurtemburg Derby.

Ulm huddled in their final timeout. The game was on the line. Needing a big basket, Ulm also expected Tubingen to use their final foul to give meaning there would be two sideline inbound situations. With this in mind, Ulm used one of their sideline plays featuring a basket cut directly from the halfcourt formation. But Tubingen did not pressure and the cut was not available. Turning to option two, Ulm screener Coleman Collins popped to the basketball and took the inbound pass from Robin Benzing. Quickly taking a return pass back from Collins, Benzing drove strong to the basket along the left sideline. Tubingen's Jay Thomas intelligently used their foul to give with 7.5 seconds left. Ulm set up for their next sideline inbound play. Originally lining up for a perimeter three point look, just before the official handed Robin Benzing the basketball, Ulm changed their play looking for an isolation and strong drive to the basket. Tubingen's Romeo Travis denied a cutting Christian Burns for the primary pass and Benzing intelligently found Per Gunther as option two. The Ulm point guard took a fast look for floor space and drove strong down the right lane line from the top of the key. Defended well, Per picked up his dribble just off the right block. At this moment, he spotted a cutting Robin Benzing who had drifted around the three point arc from the left sideline to the right wing following the play. Providing the perfect outlet for his teammates drive, Robin took Per's pass and quickly caught and shot the fading right wing three with Tubingen's Jay Thomas right in his face. The basketball slowly drifted through the Sportszentrum Kuhberg air with suspense and anticipation. The Baden Wurtemburg Derby was on the line. As the ball softly banked off the backboard and swished through the basket with 1.3 seconds on the clock, Sportszentrum Kuhberg errupted. Tubingen's last second heave was off and at the games final buzzer ratiopharm Ulm's celebration was on.

ratiopharm Ulm rookie Robin Benzing reacts to the final buzzer after his three pointer with 1.3 seconds remaining lifted his team to victory!

ratiopharm Ulm fan block 'orange zone' reacts to Robin Benzing's game winning three point shot with 1.3 seconds to play!

At the final buzzer, Sportszentrum Kuhberg had witnessed a special moment. After making the game winning shot for the German National team in their win over Russia last summer, Robin Benzing hit his first game-winning shot for Ulm. Great players make great plays in the most important moments and for a young Robin Benzing, Saturday nights game winning three pointer shows the signs of something special in the clutch. Certainly, Robin's game winning three pointer is the most powerful storyline from this chapter of the fantastic Baden Wurtemburg Derby between ratiopharm Ulm and Walter Tigers Tubingen.

ratiopharm Ulm was led by an outstanding effort from Rocky Trice who finished with 20 points 9 rebounds 5 assists 3 steals in the win. Coleman Collins added 14 points 4 rebounds and hit two of three three pointers while Kevin Martin chipped in 10 points 5 boards to the win. Robin Benzing finished the game with 9 points including the clutch game winning three. Christian Burns also helped Ulm's cause with 8 point 9 rebounds. As a team, Ulm shot 48% from the floor making 8 of 21 threes (38%) and a perfect 8 of 8 from the foul line. Ulm outrebounded Tubingen 38-28 including 14 offensive boards in the win.

Tubingen was paced by shooting guard Michael Jenkins who buried 6 of 11 threes for a game best 21 points in the loss. Former Ulm forward Romeo Travis added 15 points 8 rebounds while Aleksander Nadjfeji finished with 13 points, Dane Watts 12 points and Ken Williams 10 points 6 rebounds for the Tigers. As a team, Tubingen shot 49% from the field making 10 of 20 threes but only 7 of 18 free throws. In a game featuring 13 lead changes and 6 ties, both teams finished with 36 points apiece in the paint.

Immediately after the final horn, ratiopharm Ulm players mobbed Robin Benzing who enthusiastically inspired the Sportszentrum Kuhberg crowd. Following a short center-court huddle, Ulm players ran into the crowd taking the celebration into the Sportszentrum Kuhberg bleachers to share the celebration with the fans. The ending to a season could not be better. Long after the final buzzer and fantastic ending to the 2009-2010 season, ratiopharm Ulm players and staff took part in an autograph signing for fans and sponsors. Enjoying the moment, Ulm players and fans celebrated together with a positive feeling thanks to the teams strong finish and exciting Baden Wurtemburg Derby win.

Thank you for following all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!

GO ULM!

MIKE T