TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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ULM LEAVES POINTS IN HAGEN!
ratiopharm Ulm controlled the action leading for most of Sunday nights game, but six missed free throws in the final two minutes and a fouled three point shooter gave Phoenix Hagen their chance --- and a cool Chase Griffin capitalized. Despite six missed free throws down the stretch, ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice sank two clutch foul shots putting Ulm in a position to win. Leading 75-73 with 4 seconds to play, Ulm needed one defensive stop to even their record at 2-2 on the young Beko Bundesliga season. But a crafty Griffin, drew a foul while shooting a three from the top of the key and proceeded to sink three straight free throws lifting Hagen to the thrilling come-from-behind win.
ratiopharm Ulm's Per Gunther splits the defense in his Sunday night 'Homecoming Game' in Hagen.
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After Friday night's exciting 76-75 home win over brose Baskets Bamberg at Sportszentrum Kuhberg, ratiopharm Ulm boarded their team bus embarking on their road trip to Hagen. A special game for point guard Per Gunther, Sunday nights matchup with the Phoenix would be Per's first time playing in his hometown against his former team. With both teams entering Sunday night at 1-2, ratiopharm Ulm and Phoenix Hagen were both focused for a win.
Photo by Hagen's Jorg Laube
ratiopharm Ulm post man Coleman Collins changes an Andre McGee shot in the second half. Coleman played a terrific game leading Ulm's offensive attack with a 25 point 5 rebounds performance.
At tip off, all eyes were on ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther as his 'Homecoming' moment arrived. Early on, Ulm attacked the Hagen 2-3 zone defense. Teams slowly worked their way into the game with a 6-6 tie four minutes into action. The Phoenix created opportunities pushing the basketball in transition as the rowdy home crowd got into the game. Ulm edged ahead 11-10 as the tight first quarter continued. Working against the Hagen halfcourt trap and 2-3 zone, ratiopharm Ulm post man Coleman Collins hammered home 3 straight transition finishes as the uptempo quarter continued. After the first ten minutes, Ulm held a 24-23 lead.
Photo by Hagen's Jorg Laube
ratiopharm Ulm's Per Gunther and Robin Benzing defend a Hagen ballscreen in the second half.
As quarter two opened, Ulm worked to build their lead. Three minutes into the second, behind quality post work from Coleman Collins and Christian Burns, Ulm pushed their advantage to 31-24. Two Lee Humphrey three point shots and active play in the paint from Christian Burns sparked the Ulm offense. As fouls mounted, the teams bench became a factor with five Ulm players picking up two fouls. Midway through the second quarter, Ulm led 33-30 and a strong finish to the first half gave Ulm a 42-36 lead at the break.
ratiopharm Ulm post man John Bryant was excellent defensively blocking three shots and grabbing 7 boards in the game.
At the half, Ulm had shot 46% from the floor making 3 of 10 threes and 5 of 8 free throws (63%). Coleman Collins led the Ulm offense with 13 first half points, Christian Burns added 9 points 5 boards while Rocky Trice and Lee Humphrey chipped in six. Hagen outrebounded Ulm 22-21 and the Phoenix hit 44% of their shots making only one of seven threes and 7 of 16 from the foul line (44%). Key for the second half, Ulm reviewed their press attack, zone attack and made several defensive adjustments. Up six, Ulm looked to finish the final twenty minutes with focus.
Photo by Hagen's Jorg Laube
ratiopharm Ulm teamwork forces Hagen's Quentin Pryor off the block as Per Gunther, Sebastian Betz and Coleman Collins defend.
As the second half opened, Hagen made an early run. As Ulm held a 46-42 lead, the Phoenix stormed back with transition from guards Andre McGee and Chase Griffin along with hardwork on the boards from veteran Bernd Kruell and Jonathan Kale. Up 48-46, Ulm defenders miscommunicated on the left wing and Hagen's Chase Griffin drilled a three reclaiming the lead for the Phoenix 49-48. But a big basket from Christian Burns and a clutch three from Robin Benzing helped ratiopharm Ulm regain control and rebuild their lead. After three, Ulm maintained a 59-54 advantage.
ratiopharm Ulm lead for most of the game and controlled the action but in the end, six missed free throws and a fouled three point shooter gave Hagen their chance.
In the fourth, Ulm maintained their lead. But momentum grew for Hagen. Midway through the fourth, Ulm's lead was a slim 65-64. Big plays helped Ulm push their advantage to 73-66 with two minutes remaining. Hagen called for time. ratiopharm Ulm had their chance to finish the game. Out of the timeout, Coleman Collins stepped to the foul line with a chance to help Ulm ice the game. Unfortunately, down the stretch, Ulm missed six straight free throws giving Hagen their chance. After Ulm's empty possessions, Aaron Fleetwood hit a left wing three and Jonathan Kale's extra effort in the lane paid off with a big bucket. With the game even at 73, Hagen's three point attempt rimmed out and bounced out of bounds with 15 seconds to play. Ulm used their final timeout to set their strategy. Moments later, Ulm's Rocky Trice took the inbound pass, waited until the floor was spaced, then attacked the basket using a ballscreen set by Coleman Collins. Rocky was fouled by Hagen's Jonathan Kale sending the talented Ulm guard to the foul line for clutch free throws. Rocky sank both foul shots giving Ulm a 75-73 lead with 4.5 seconds to go. Hagen called a timeout. With one foul to give, Ulm set their team defensive strategy and was focused to finish the game. Returning to the floor, Hagen lined up for their mid-court inbound play with a stack along the lane line. Post man Bernd Kruell looped from the bottom over the top and Chase Griffin darted to the sideline to catch the inbound pass. Driving strong to the middle into a pullup jumpshot, Griffin drew contact from Ulm's Rocky Trice and officials whistled the foul. Griffin was awarded three foul shots with 2.2 seconds left. The Hagen crowd went crazy as everyone in the gym stood in anticipation. Shot by shot by shot, Griffin lifted the Phoenix from their 75-73 deficit into a 76-75 lead. Out of timeouts, Ulm ran a fullcourt endline inbound play which found Per Gunther in front of mid-court along the left sideline. In what would have been a fitting story-book end to his Homecoming, the Hagen-native split defenders and advanced the basketball as far as possible shooting a deep three runner as the buzzer sounded. Floating toward the rim, Per's shot had a chance. But the ball sailed short left sending Hagen's fans into celebration. While Hagen could enjoy the thrilling come-from-behind victory, the 76-75 loss was especially bitter for Ulm.
Photo by Hagen's Jorg Laube
ratiopharm Ulm watched Hagen's Chase Griffin cooly sink three free throws with 2.2 seconds on the clock lifting the Phoenix to a 76-75 win.
ratiopharm Ulm was led by Coleman Collins who finished with 25 points 5 rebounds while Christian Burns added 23 points 14 boards and Rocky Trice had 10 points 5 rebounds. Ulm shot 44% from the floor making 4 of 19 threes (21%) and only 9 of 19 free throws (47%) while Hagen hit 42% of their shots with 3 of 17 threes (18%) and 11 of 24 from the foul line (46%). Hagen outrebounded Ulm 48-42 in the game. Jonathan Kale enjoyed a 26 point 14 rebound double double on his birthday in the win and Chase Griffin chipped in 17 points 7 rebounds including his game-deciding foul shots. Ulm had their chances to finish the game down the stretch, but left six points at the foul line before ultimately leaving the two points awarded for a win in Hagen.
Photo by Hagen's Jorg Laube
ratiopharm Ulm Head Coach Mike Taylor at the post game Press conference.
Demonstrating the competitiveness of the Bundesliga, Ulm's hard-fought 76-75 one point road loss in Hagen came at exactly the same score as their hard-fought 76-75 one point home win over brose Baskets Bamberg Friday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg in Ulm. Falling to 1-3 on the young season, ratiopharm Ulm looks ahead to their next home game Friday night at Sportszentrum Kuhberg against Deutsche Bank Skyliners. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
