Ulm has halted its negative run on the European stage and reached the round of 16 in the Eurocup ahead of schedule
The German champions won 84:80 (72:72, 38:30) after overtime at Buducnost VOLI Podgorica from Montenegro on Tuesday evening and can no longer be displaced from one of the top six places in Group B. The best scorer was LJ Figueroa with 24 points.
Neither team was able to gain an advantage in the evenly poised first quarter. However, thanks to a better shooting percentage, Ulm then managed to pull away slightly and take a small lead into the break. Ulm lost the thread in the final quarter, as it had done recently. Turnovers and missed shots gave the home side fresh momentum and it produced a 14:0 run. Anton Gavel’s team seemed paralyzed, but managed to respond once more. In the end, overtime had to decide the winner.
The Bundesliga club must defend its current fourth place in Group B in the final two group games against Aris Midea Thessaloniki on January 31 (7:30 p.m.) and at leaders Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse on February 6. This will guarantee home advantage in the play-in round of 16.
Buducnost Podgorica – ratiopharm Ulm 80:84 (72:72, 30:38) n.V.
Best scorers Podgorica: Ferrell (15 points), Magee (12), Kamenjas (12)
Ulm: Figueroa (24), Jallow (12), Williams (10)
Spectators: 4998