ratiopharm ulm defended first place in the standings by taking down fourth placed RASTA Vechta 83-74 on the road and sending a strong message towards their next opponent FC Bayern Munich. In a showdown of two of the hottest teams in the league, Ulm grabbed control of the game with a 20-5 third quarter run and improved to 16-6 after a fifth straight win. Karim Jallow paced the winners with 20 points. Vechta fell to 14-9 after having won their previous three games. Brandon Randolph had 22 points in the loss.
Game Summary: Ulm knocked down two triples in a 10-3 early run for a 12-8 lead. Brandon Randolph took over for Vechta with 11 points and the game went back and forth with eight lead changes and four ties in the first quarter, which ended with Ulm up 22-21. Vechta needed nearly 4 minutes to finally get on the board in the second quarter but fought defensively to trail just 28-21. Vechta twice got within two points but Ulm’s tough defense and eight points from Karim Jallow had the guests up double figures for the first time at 41-31. Vechta did hit a triple shortly before halftime and trailed 41-34 at the break.
Ulm scored the first two baskets of the second half to push the lead to 45-34. Vechta raced back with 11 points in 90 seconds to tie the game 45-45. Ulm punched right back with Justinian Jessup draining three of five Ulm three-pointers in a 20-5 run to lead 65-50. And the score was 65-53 after 30 minutes. Ulm led 67-54 when Gardner scored eight points to get Vechta within 70-62. Ulm were not fazed and mounted a 9-2 spurt to lead 79-65 with 5 minutes to play. Vechta tried to make it interesting down 81-71 with under 3 minutes but missed their next five shots and Ulm grabbed the road victory.
Numbers Please: Ulm shut down Vechta at home - where they were 9-2 coming into the game - holding the hosts to just 34 percent from the field including 33 percent on two-pointers.
Player of the Game: Karim Jallow did it all for Ulm with 20 points to go with 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
The Germans: In addition to Jallow, Ulm had Philipp Herkenhoff pick up 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal and Nelson Weidemann had 2 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal. Vechta meanwhile got a solid a performances from Joel Aminu with 12 points and 6 rebounds.
Harrelson wins in his return: Ulm head coach Ty Harrelson guided his team to victory in his return to RASTA Dome, where he coached for two seasons and had great success. He led Vechta to the ProA second division title in 2023 and promotion to the Bundesliga. The following season Vechta reached the playoffs, after which Harrelson left the club for Ulm.
All eyes on NBA prospect trio: A handful of NBA scouts in the RASTA Dome to check out three of the top players in Europe: Ulm's two teenagers Noa Essengue and Ben Saraf and Johann Grünloh of Vechta. Essengue had 9 points and 4 rebounds while Saraf picked up 4 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Grünloh struggled as he played just 16 minutes before fouling out with 6 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal.
What's Up Next: Vechta’s next game will be on Saturday March 22 when they play at Veolia Towers Hamburg. Ulm for their part will return to the court already on Monday March 17 as they travel southeast for a massive showdown against reigning champions FC Bayern Munich.
Video: Highlights of this game will be available soon on Dyn's website or here on Dyn's YouTube channel.
Anmerkung: In der Saison 2024/25 werden wie hier auch gelegentlich Nachberichte in englischer Sprache verfasst.
Note: During the 2024-25 season, there will occasionally be game reports published in English.
