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ULM DEFENSIVE INTENSITY SPARKS 88-82 WIN OVER JENA ratiopharm Ulm jumped out to a big first half lead changing defenses with excellent intensity to earn a hardfought 88-82 victory over Jena Saturday night at Sportzentrum Kuhberg in Ulm.
ratiopharm Ulm improved to 19-5 in 2.Bundesliga South play Making his first start since the November 12th Nurnberg game, Peter Heizer inspired his teammates with intense defensive play and momentum building baskets in the opening minutes of the game. Excelling in the changing defensive scheme, Heizer created several first half steals igniting Ulm's fast break. The athletic 6'4 guard scored a team best 15 first half points as Ulm dictated tempo and executed their game plan in the early going. From the tip, Ulm took control. Florian Mobius hit a pair of early baseline jumpshots and Ulm began to edge ahead. Forcing Jena turnovers, Ulm built an 11-4 advantage leading to a Frank Menz timeout. Ulm players opened the game with fire in their eyes, demonstrating outstanding intensity and energy on the floor. Active, alert and aggressive defensive plays charged Ulm. Turnovers plagued Jena. Ulm seemed on the verge of breaking the game open --- but cool three point shooting from Jena's Michael Lake and Mischa Zlotowski kept the visitors close. During the first quarter, Ulm attacked the rim effectively establishing their offensive presence in the paint. Maksym Shtein and Emeka Erege were fantastic in drawing fouls and getting to the foul line. Consistent with their focused and concentrated start on the defensive end, Ulm sank 17 of 19 free throws in the first half. Up 31-18 for the final possession of the first quarter, Ulm players prepared to defend Jena's last attack. Point guard Mark Peter penetrated into the paint before dishing off to a big man who was fouled. 1.7 remained on the first quarter game clock --- amazingly, Jena pulled off a miraculous 4 point play. Following two free throw makes, Florian Mobius darted to the ball for Ulm's last second fullcourt inbound play. Like a quarterback, Mobius slowly rolled left scanning the floor for an orange shirted receiver. Spotting his primary target Fannar Olafsson, who was working for position in the far foul circle, Flo fired a high arcing pass soaring near the ceiling. The trajectory veered off left and Olafsson jumped with his Jena defender in an attempt to secure the sailing ball. Unexpectedly, the ball floated over the outstretched arms of all players and took one bounce before hopping the sponsor board to land with baseline spectators. Certainly the worst case scenario, Jena took the untouched ball back under Ulm's basket for an endline inbound play. Jena's sharp head coach Frank Menz called for time to set up a play. Diagramming a screen the screener triangle, Jena tried to use misdirection to throw off Ulm before throwing back to the far side for an opportunity. Although the desparation attempt from Jena's rimmed hard off the iron, forward Oliver Braun tipped in the miss making the score 31-22 at the end of one.
Ulm forward Florian Mobius hits this big basket helping seal the win. Effectively varying defensive looks against Jena, Ulm forced turnovers that were converted into easy scores jumpstarting an early run. But as the second quarter opened, Ulm players began to settle for perimeter shots without pounding the ball into the paint as was game planned. Despite their turnovers, Jena hung in the game thanks to their super perimeter shooting. The visitors would finish 7 for 16 from three point range in the first half. Many of those open looks were as a result of poor matchups or ineffective closeouts from Ulm defenders. Jena capitalized. The home lead was now 4, 31-27. An Ulm timeout changed things. Immediately, Ulm got Maksym Shtein post touches and made slight adjustments on press positioning. Suddenly the game seemed to break open. Emeka Erege kicked off an 11-1 Ulm run with a corner three and Ulm team defense created opportunities. Once in transition, playmaking point man Shaheen Holloway made things happen as he set up his teammates for scores including a three pointer from Kenny Price. The 11-1 run did not stop --- by halftime, Ulm owned a commanding 53-37 lead.
Taylorhoops.com Player of the Game Peter Heizer at the foul line Extremely pleased with the first half performance, Ulm played with supreme intensity and focus on the floor. If the team eliminated careless turnovers and improved defense of the three point line, then Ulm would be clicking on all cylinders. Everyone in the Ulm lockerroom knew the situation --- a repeat of first half intensity would surely mean success; sitting on the big lead against a hungry team like Jena would only bring problems. Just like Ulm dictated tempo to open the game, Jena took control with an 7-0 run in the third quarter instantly cutting the lead to 53-44. An Ulm timeout slowed the run. Where Ulm dominated points in the paint stats in the first half, Jena simply turned the tables scoring 12 points in the paint in the third. Jena shooters caught fire from the perimeter as Michael Lake, Robert Cardenas, Oliver Braun and Raphael Torok took turns drilling triples. Ulm offense answered maintaining a cushion, but Jena kept the pressure on. Thankfully for Ulm, Michael Lake's last second three point attempt at the third quarter buzzer bounced softly off the front of the rim keeping Ulm up 10, 72-62 with one quarter to play. Instead of Ulm putting the game away, Jena had battled back into the game in an intense third quarter. Whistles went against Ulm early in the fourth as both Emeka Erege and Florian Mobius picked up their fourth fouls. Going to the bench, Fannar Olafsson entered the game to matchup with the physical Jena frontcourt. The Icelandic power forward made his mark immediately with strong rebounds and physical play inside. Although he picked up fast fouls, Fannar also hit two quick jumpshots keeping Ulm's offense running smoothly. Fannar's big baskets kept the lead at 10, 76-66. As Jena desperately tried to cut the lead down the stretch, big plays from Emeka Erege and Shaheen Holloway kept them at bay. Finally, Florian Mobius drilled the dagger on a 16 foot post reaction J from the left elbow putting Ulm up 12. Careless turnovers, poor clock management and unintelligent fouls helped Jena cut the lead in the final minute of play before Peter Heizer sealed the win holding an inbound pass to run off the final seconds. Improving to 19-5 in 2.Bundesliga South play, Ulm was led by center Maksym Shtein who continued his excellent season with 20 points and 6 boards. Taylorhoops Player of the Game Peter Heizer added 19 points and outstanding defensive energy while outstanding small forward Emeka Erege finishes another high level performance with 18 points and 7 boards. Shaheen Holloway, working his way back into game shape after battling illness for 2 weeks, played a solid game scoring 8 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and distributing 7 assists in 31 minutes. Forward Florian Mobius also added a quality 13 points 7 boards to the win. Jena was led by both Michael Lake and Mischa Zlotowski who topscored with 16 points apiece. The teams tied on the boards with 31 rebounds apiece, but Ulm came up with 15 steals compared to Jena's 6 and an aggressive Ulm team hit 28 of 39 free throws in the win. Jena was good from the three point line hitting 13 of 30 for 43% on the evening. Next up for ratiopharm Ulm is an Easter Sunday road trip to meet USC Freiburg. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com! GO ULM! MIKE T
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