TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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EYE OF THE TIGER!
ratiopharm Ulm understood the meaning of Wednesday nights Baden-Wurtemburg Derby against rival Walter Tigers Tubingen. Focused like the eye of the tiger, ratiopharm Ulm opened the first quarter on fire hitting 5 three pointers and used excellent transition basketball to build a 41-25 first half lead. But as with any excellent rivalry between archenemies, winning requires a complete 40 minute game. After a strong Tubingen comeback and 63-61 Tiger lead with seven minutes to play, ratiopharm Ulm responded to finish the game on a 17-7 run with big baskets from Jeff Gibbs, Dru Joyce and EJ Gallup to seal the win. Wednesday night in the Baden Wurtemburg rivalry at Tubingen Arena, ratiopharm Ulm stared down the eye of the tiger --- and won.
Ulm forward Florian Mobius was a key figure in his teams win Wednesday over Tubingen drilling two first half threes and providing tough post defense to help Ulm overcome foul trouble.
Click for photo gallery from Tubingen newspaper Schwabische Tagblatt
For ratiopharm Ulm and Walter Tigers Tubingen, the historic rivlary between the two teams dates back over decades and has evolved over several leagues. Most memorable, the 2003-2004 duel between the two rivals in the race for the 2.Bundesliga South championship and promotion into the Bundesliga. The two top teams in the 2.Bundesliga South that season, Ulm and Tubingen battled through two legendary games that needed 3 overtimes to settle by a tight margin of 5 points. Many Ulm and Tubingen fans remember the emotional events from that season more than the current teams they support --- in fact few faces remain from the rosters. But several key personalities remain with ratiopharm Ulm from the heartbreaking defeats in those classic games against Tubingen. Ulm captain Emeka Erege and dependable forward Florian Mobius will never forget those game. Ulm manager Thomas Stoll and Head Coach Mike Taylor can reflect as well. Even more fans understand the rivalry from memory of these past experiences. In days leading up to the Tubignen game, the painful memories of these tough defeats are all the motivation Ulm players and fans need to be ready.
Ulm's Dru Joyce was excellent Wednesday night in Tubingen topscoring with 17 points 6 rebounds and 9 assists. Here Dru attacks the rim in transition against Tubingen's Bingo Merriex.
Playing their third game in six days, ratiopharm Ulm was ready but remained without captain Emeka Erege and key post man Bryan Lucas. Both Erege and Lucas have been important players in past games against rival Tubingen and both players clearly understand the meaning of the Ulm-Tubignen games. But Wednesday night, Ulm would look to other areas for their production and big plays. One boost to the Ulm lineup would be the return of All Star small forward Konrad Wysocki. After injuring his knee against Oldenburg, Konrad missed the road game in Paderborn and returned to play against Bamberg but was not completely healthy. Once again gritting his teeth and playing through pain, Konrad answered the bell for his team. Nothing new against rival Tubingen, Wysocki left the January 5th game with a back strain before returning to inspire his team and help Ulm win down the stretch. Konrad's toughness has been a terrific aspect of the Ulm-Tubingen games this year.
Ulm's Romeo Travis finishes at the rim in Tubingen Wednesday night. Romeo helped spark a key second quarter run giving Ulm command of the game early.
As fans prepared for the second edition of the rivalry in 2008, chants began before tip as rival fan clubs challenged each other in between exchanging dirty gestures. With teams going through layup lines and warmups, Ulm was prepared to play without Lucas and Erege while Tubingen was without the services of former All Stars AJ Moye and Ryan Demichael along with guard Waitari Marsh. The late season matchup had nothing to do with playoffs or relegation, but Wednesday nights Ulm-Tubingen game had everything to do with bragging rights for fans.
Ulm's All Star small forward Konrad Wysocki slashes to the basket in transition finsihing his layup in the first half against Tubingen. Konrad scored 14 points in Wednesdays Baden-Wurtemburg Derby!
As the game tipped off, Ulm opened with high intensity and determination. Dru Joyce drilled a three from the wing, Jeff Gibbs sank a triple from the top of the key and Konrad Wysocki buried a trifecta from the right corner. Ulm's offense clicked and players stepped up to make the big shots. Subbing into the game from the bench, dependable forward Florian Mobius emerged as a spark for his team sinking big three point shots as Tubingen's post defenders sagged off ballscreens. While Ulm's hot shooting offensive start resulted in a 15-10 lead, foul trouble set into the Ulm frontcourt as both center Sean Finn and spark Mobius picked up two first quarter fouls. Ulm allowed Tubingen several offensive rebounds and the Tigers established the post well with All Star Rasko Katic and talented Bingo Merriex making plays inside. After one quarter, Ulm's focused start earned them a 24-18 lead.
ratiopharm Ulm fans came out in force for the rivalry game!.
With both active post players in foul trouble, ratiopharm Ulm went with a small lineup against Tubingen to start the second quarter. Forward Romeo Travis helped jumpstart the Ulm transition game. After allowing too many offensive rebounds in the first ten minutes, Ulm secured their defensive boards and created runout opportunities. Dru Joyce was excellent pushing the ball in transition and making the ball-ahead pass. Travis, EJ Gallup and Konrad Wysocki all attacked in transition and Ulm capitalized on several fast break baskets. Romeo Travis also made his presence felt in the paint scoring on a dropstep post move after a transition seal and then relentlessly slamming home a third opportunity after two offensive rebounds in traffic in the lane. Ulm's 17-8 run gave the guests a 41-25 lead to the delight of the enthusiastic Ulm fans who traveled to Tubignen Arena. After a Tubingen timeout, head coach Tolga Ongoran rallied his troops and the Tigers responded. Big baskets from Jermaine Anderson, Bingo Merriex and DeeAndre Hulett helped spark the Tubingen comeback. The Tigers outscored Ulm 12-4 over the final four minutes of the first half to pull within 45-37 at half.
Ulm's Jeff Gibbs works one on one in the post against Tubingen post man Douglas Gorauskas in Wednesday night action. Jeff scored 15 points with 7 rebounds in the win
Ulm's intensity level set the tone early in the game and the team's focused play, hot shooting and work in transition gave them the lead. Tubingen's strong finish to the first half brought the Tigers back into the game and gave them momentum. With an 8 point lead, ratiopharm Ulm found themselves in a familiar place. Last Friday in Paderborn, Ulm led 58-51 before surrendering the advantage in a third quarter run of the opponent. Focusing on finishing their defensive possessions and adjustments to the Tiger attack, Ulm aimed for a strong third quarter on the defensive end. Ulm's hot shooting was perfect, but the team re-emphasized the importance of scoring inside. Most important for Ulm, remaining aggressive offensively while managing their lead became an emphasis.
Ulm's EJ Gallup glides to the hoop finishing a first half fast break as Tubingen's Bingo Merriex defends. Ulm's second quarter run was sparked by transition plays like this.
Starting the third quarter, Tubingen continued their comeback. The Tigers trimmed the deficit to three at 47-44 with a 7-3 run in the first few minutes of the third. Guard Jay Thomas scored on drives and Rasko Katic inside. Ulm's Sean Finn, slowed by foul trouble in the first half, made his presence felt with two strong post moves. Finn's bank off glass, a basket from Dru Joyce and power move from Jeff Gibbs helped Ulm re-establish their lead at 58-48 with 2 minutes to play in the third. But as with any terrific rivalry, Tubingen kept fighting and at the end of three, Ulm held a 61-57 lead. With intensity and emotion rising, both teams received warning for delay of game and emotional outbursts toward officials. One quarter remained to be played and both teams were ready to claim this edition of the Baden-Wurtemburg Derby.
Ulm's All Star power forward Jeff Gibbs rises over rival Tubingen defenders to bank in one of the games biggest baskets giving Ulm a late lead.
Opening the fourth quarter, Tubingen clawed back possession by possession. Big baskets from Jermaine Anderson and Rasko Katic helped the Tigers surge. With 7 minutes remaining, Tubingen took their first lead of the evening at 63-61. With the lead and momentum, the Tubingen Arena crowd came into the game and Ulm's scoreless fourth quarter wavered the troops. But moments later, momentum would shift once again. After a three point shot, Konrad Wysocki was fouled by Ray Nixon awarding the Ulm All Star three foul shots. Officials felt Nixon's reaction went too far and called a technical foul on the athletic Tiger forward. With five foul shots in succession, Konrad sank one of three but EJ Gallup picked him up by burying both of the technical shots. Ulm reclaimed a 65-63 advantage. Ulm turned the momentum into a run with Jeff Gibbs sinking two free throws before an And1 three point finish by Dru Joyce off a fastbreak one one one layup. Ulm's 70-65 lead put them in excellent position with just over two minutes to play. Tubingen's Jermaine Anderson buried a clutch three cutting the margin to 70-68 but Ulm's EJ Gallup created with the dribble and buried a big pull up J to give Ulm a 72-68 lead. After a defensive stop, Gallup took an outlet pass and raced the length of the floor for a fast break layin further establishing the lead. The big baskets were terrific for EJ who has worked extremely hard for his team in recent weeks while looking for increased production. Leading 74-68 with one minute to play, Ulm sealed the game when Tubingen center Rasko Katic missed two free throws. Forced to foul, Tubingen sent EJ Gallup to the line where he nailed four straight capping the win. Bingo Merriex made the last basket of the game and Ulm celebrated their 78-70 Baden Wurtemburg Derby win.
Ulm's EJ Gallup scored two clutch baskets and sank 2 important free throws helping his team ice the game Wednesday night at Tubingen Arena!
With an excellent intensity level and focus, ratiopharm Ulm approached their rivalry game well and were rewarded with a terrific team performance in the win. Dru Joyce was excellent in leading the Ulm attack with a game best 17 points along with 6 rebounds and 9 assists. Jeff Gibbs added a strong 15 point 7 rebound performance and Konrad Wysocki 14 points in the win. EJ Gallup scored 8 of his 11 points in the final two minutes scoring some of Ulm's biggest points of the game. Ulm's bench gave the team a big lift in the form of Florian Mobius (6 points 4 rebounds), Romeo Travis (6 points 4 rebounds) and Sebastian Betz (5 points 2 rebounds). As a team, Ulm shot 48% from the floor and made 8 of 19 threes (42%) along with 16 of 23 free throws (70%) while limiting Tubingen to 37% from the floor. The Tigers outrebounded Ulm 44-35 including a strong 19 offensive boards which helped their comeback. Ray Nixon scored 15 points to lead Tubingen while Rasko Katic (15 points 12 rebounds) and Bingo Merriex (14 points 11 rebounds) posted double doubles in the loss. PG Jermaine Anderson added 12 points for the Tigers.
ratiopharm Ulm players thank fans after the big win!
Improving to 15-18, ratiopharm Ulm completes their season with a home game against playoff bound Telekom Baskets Bonn Saturday May 10th at Sportszentrum Kuhberg. With the Bundesliga breaking for the Top4 Tournament in Hamburg, Ulm will give the team a few days off before returning to pracitce Monday April 29th.
Wednesday night ratiopharm Ulm and Walter Tigers Tubingen added to the long history of their basketball rivalry. With clear focus and understanding, Ulm played with inspiration and determination in earning the intense Derby win. Wednesday night, this edition of the Baden Wurtemburg Derby went to the team with the eye of the Tiger. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
