Ulm Claims Derby Victory in Thrilling Match Against Ludwigsburg

Date: October 6, 2024
After a nail-biting showdown, ratiopharm Ulm has ascended to the top of the Basketball Bundesliga standings by narrowly defeating the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 63-62. The atmosphere in the Neu-Ulmer Arena was electric, with 5,773 fans holding their breath as the final seconds ticked away.

An intense moment during the thrilling game between Ulm and Ludwigsburg.

With just two seconds left on the clock, Justin Simon of Ludwigsburg found himself at the free-throw line. A successful basket would have evened the score, sending the game into overtime, but luck was not on Simon’s side as his attempt bounced off the rim. He managed to secure his own rebound, giving him another chance to clinch victory for his team, but as time expired, the ball hung tantalizingly on the edge of the rim. Elation erupted among the Ulm supporters, a collective sigh of relief shared amongst the players and coaching staff.

Coach’s Reflections on Luck and Skill

After the hard-fought victory, Ulm’s captain, Thomas Klepeisz, celebrated with the crowd, leading chants of “Derbysieger, Derbysieger, Hey. Hey.” Coach Ty Harrelson acknowledged the close nature of the game with a humble admission:

“We had a bit of luck, but the victory was well-deserved given how hard we fought.”
What’s more, Ludwigsburg’s coach, John Patrick, expressed his pride in his team’s performance, noting they had pushed Ulm to their limits despite the defeat, saying:
“They were slightly better than us.”

The match began with Ludwigsburg executing their game plan to perfection, applying heavy defensive pressure that led to six turnovers for Ulm in the first quarter. The visitors took an early lead of 19-12, but the home team was not to be deterred.

A Turnaround for Ulm

In the second quarter, the momentum shifted as Ulm began to find their rhythm, showcasing quick ball movement and precision shooting, including key three-pointers from players like Herkenhoff and Klepeisz. The team went into halftime trailing 34-37 but had regained a sense of optimism.

After the break, Ulm’s tenacious defense locked down, holding Ludwigsburg scoreless for five and a half minutes and pulling ahead 46-37.

Hunter Maldonado from Ludwigsburg, battling for possession against Ulm’s players.

As the game progressed, Ludwigsburg fought back, thanks largely to the dynamic duo of Simon and Ezra Manjon, who infused a palpable energy into their play. Despite the frantic pace and high stakes, the scoring became a struggle, highlighting how fiercely contested the match had turned.

In a dramatic final stretch, as Marcio Santos sank a free throw with only five seconds remaining, Ulm seemed on the verge of securing their win at 63-60. Yet, a misjudgment by Ulm’s Noa Essengue, who fouled Simon during a three-point attempt, resulted in three free throws for Ludwigsburg under immense pressure.

Conclusion: Ulm’s Stellar Start to the Season

Ultimately, with a stroke of luck and diligence, ratiopharm Ulm triumphed, remaining the only undefeated team in the league with a perfect record of five wins in five matches. Coach Harrelson summarized the feeling post-game:

“This feels fantastic. I am incredibly proud of my players, even though it’s just the beginning of the season.”
With this victory, Ulm now leads the league standings, validating their strong start to the campaign and reigniting their ambitions for the season ahead.

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