Brose Bamberg produces outstanding third period to win in Ulm

Brose Bamberg has put an end to its mini series of two defeats in a row in impressive fashion. The team of Head Coach Ainars Bagatskis won its game at ratiopharm Ulm by 100:91 after an outstanding third period in which it steamrollered the home side by 32:11. The away win means Brose Bamberg has secured fourth spot in the table and so avoided slipping to seventh in the event of a defeat.

Bamberg was without Elias Harris, who was forced to pull out at short notice due to gastrointestinal problems. Louis Olinde had hip problems and so was also missing. The first half was dominated by a lot of action in offense, as both teams repeatedly capitalized on the gaps their opponents left in defense. Bamberg trailed 15:21 after eight minutes of the first period, but then struck back through Ricky Hickman, Bryce Taylor and five points by the strong Patrick Heckmann to produce a run of ten points without reply and move 25:21 in front. Bamberg even stretched the gap to 37:29 thanks to eight points from Tyrese Rice and a bucket from beyond the arc by Daniel Schmidt midway through the second quarter. However, not a lot then clicked for the visitors in defense and Ulm exploited its pace in attack to leave Bamberg trailing by 47:53 at half-time.

After the break, Bamberg showed its outstanding side: In its best single period of this season, Bagatskis’ team was almost insuperable at the back, while Tyrese Rice (with two “miracle shots” as he was falling), Augustine Rubit (six points in the third period) and Cliff Alexander with slam-dunks and alley oops overran the home side in offense. Center Alexander in particular turned in a strong performance, preventing Ulm from scoring by blocking lay-ups in defense and, at the other end, with three impressive slam-dunks – the American made all his ten points in the third quarter. The magnificent display to take the third period 32:11 and a three by Stevan Jelovac at the start of the final quarter put Bamberg 82:64 in front. Ulm struck back and was able to reduce the deficit to 92:84 with some wild actions, but Bamberg always had a commanding response up its sleeve right to the end thanks to its top scorers Augustine Rubit (22 points), Tyrese Rice and Ricky Hickman (16 apiece).

Ainars Bagatskis commented: “We won because we played as a team. We learned that lesson from Bayreuth a few days ago and I’m pleased at how we responded. Because clever teams learn from their own mistakes. Ulm is one of the fastest teams in the league and can score a lot of points in transition. We managed to rob them off that strength for a long time, especially after the break. We dictated the play in the second half, in particular in defense, and that also inspired us in offense.”