The German champs squandered a 14-point fourth-quarter advantage but remained calm in overtime to clinch a playoff spot.
By surviving OT on the road, Ulm learned a lesson for later
Article
3 Mins read
Before its Round 16 road game at Buducnost VOLI Podgorica on Tuesday, ratiopharm Ulm needed only one more win to reach the BKT EuroCup postseason. As it happens, though, Buducnost needed the same win to keep its playoff chances alive.
Ulm hadn't looked very good in recent weeks. The visitors carried the heavy baggage of four consecutive defeats that slowed their postseason push in a painful way. The freshest wound came one week ago, when U-BT Cluj Napoca rallied from an 18-point second-half deficit to win 81-85 in Ulm's own arena.
So on Tuesday, when Buducnost rattled off a 19-2 fourth-quarter run to erase a 14-point disadvantage and take a 69-67 lead with 3 minutes remaining, Ulm fans had to be trembling.
"We were up double digits in the fourth quarter, and then we made pretty bad decisions offensively," Ulm head coach Anton Gavel recounted in the press conference. "That brought Buducnost back into the game. We allowed them to come back and almost gave this one away. We've got to be smarter there."
But, contrary to what happened the previous week, Ulm managed to stay calm and take control again. A free throw by Trevion Williams tied it up, 72-72, in the last minute of the fourth quarter, and even though Ulm missed on an ensuing possession and let Buducnost to take the last shot, Fletcher Magee missed a contested mid-range shot that meant overtime.
Once the extra period started, Ulm showed better poise and managed to find the right players at the right moments. First it was Juan Nunez, who scored 4 points early in OT to help his team take charge of the situation. Then it was L.J. Figueroa, who provided pairs of crucial three-pointers and key defensive plays that confirmed Ulm's supremacy in the end. Overall, Ulm forced 4 turnovers from Buducnost in the extra 5 minutes, a major factor to break the deadlock and push the visitors to a playoff-clinching 80-84 win.
"After four losses, to bounce back and get this win on the road is extremely important for us," Gavel recognized. "I think, defensively, if you allow 80 points in overtime, it was solid. And I think we had a pretty decent sequence. We let Magee get hot and put in a couple of shots, which was not good. But it's okay; these are details."
Winning the game as it did is probably the second-best news of the night, after making the playoffs. Looking to the next stage, such late-game steel can be a very important boost for what had been the team's bruised confidence of late.
"We're happy about the win, the bounce back, especially in overtime," Gavel stressed. "We found a way to win."
Figueroa's contribution was not only important in overtime, but for the whole game. He had to wait until the last minutes of the second period to score his first bucket, but once he found the way to score, he became unstoppable.
He first contributed 8 points in a 2-10 run that allowed Ulm to reach halftime up 30-38. Right after the intermission, he nailed a three to establish a double-digit lead for Ulm for the first time in the game, and he also was the one to establish a game-high 14-point difference early in the fourth quarter.
At the end, Figueroa presented a fantastic stat-line of 24 points - his best so far in the competition, 5 rebounds and 2 steals, going perfect on two-pointers (5 for 5) and shooting 4-of-10 from behind the arc. That gave him a PIR of 23, which tied with his best performance so far when he helped Ulm pull up an 83-85 road win in Trento on Dec 6, 2023.
This game in Podgorica confirms the good form of Figueroa, who has scored in double-figures in eight of his last 10 games, so Ulm can look to the near future with more confidence.
Game Videos
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/VchLPIGqHXs/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Trefl Sopot-Buducnost VOLI Podgorica | Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/09cfaa87-7ff5-4468-8ab9-29b180b35451.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A54%3A41]()
Ferrell's fancy assist! Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b65fdead-13f6-40a4-861e-8e2eec939ef9.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A135%3A147]()
Sulaimon dunks it off a steal! Magic Moment
- 00:58
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/26/zGIoakj3w2RsLjxPZ3EgZkOUvVFyhRz6-1735247597729.jpg]()
Jaylen Hoard: 'Happy about the way we played defense today'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3b41ad96-3937-4f44-8d85-e1141c8d0123.jpg]()
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 18 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a18dc91c-5444-4856-9125-53cf72e9b124.jpg]()
ratiopharm Ulm-Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul | Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/6875c309-9b37-4866-b91a-5a1e7ea020cd.jpg?crop=923%3A520%3Anowe%3A123%3A30]()
Smailagic takes off! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/12bf987f-d624-471d-925a-dc9f5a82bf5d.jpg?crop=1238%3A696%3Anowe%3A85%3A24]()
Santos punishes the rim! Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/bfdd452b-4b5e-4012-87e9-06c7d598f334.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A100%3A79]()
What a finish by Saraf! Magic Moment
- 00:29
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/18/w8VA0rEBRULTZM6yn4SvneLAbROnpkKe-1734560631252.jpg]()
Jallow posterizes Blazevic! Magic Moment of the Night
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/7e7537e8-2d81-4dc4-94e3-d195633b60bc.jpg]()
ratiopharm Ulm-Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius | Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/0gqo4ZcA8HE/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica-Dolomiti Energia Trento | Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:18
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/6a825efa-ac8c-40c2-a96d-86024c1d7225.jpg?crop=1350%3A760%3Anowe%3A0%3A48]()
Jallow posterizes Blazevic! Magic Moment
- 00:27
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a467b8be-3135-4f20-9451-60bd95c5bb67.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A85%3A138]()
Santos swats Miniotas! Magic Moment
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5574f5a3-a41f-423c-85a5-36b68c874e3a.jpg?crop=640%3A359%3Anowe%3A506%3A63]()
Wright with the unreal vision! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/aeI4xVw8Beg/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Dreamland Gran Canaria-Buducnost VOLI Podgorica | Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/7857e43b-1000-459b-9449-76b688d44726.jpg]()
Joventut Badalona-ratiopharm Ulm | Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:20
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/11812ceb-1b5f-4d5a-af0b-d2ae9928966a.jpg?crop=1225%3A689%3Anowe%3A23%3A94]()
Tanaskovic’s one-handed slam and one! Magic Moment
- 00:23
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5a58d395-a55c-4179-8981-f390d1ecb29e.jpg?crop=1277%3A718%3Anowe%3A5%3A91]()
Morgan dunks with force in transition! Magic Moment
- 00:18
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/1ae797dd-09d7-4b90-af93-f1782e6bf513.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A135%3A188]()
Roby throws down a hammer! Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/be5a6fb2-1a17-44ca-b0bb-99b75107dc78.jpg?crop=1270%3A714%3Anowe%3A54%3A124]()
Santos tomahawks the dunk! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/3k7uWxd2g2w/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica-Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul | Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZxjzBnskLoA/maxresdefault.jpg]()
ratiopharm Ulm-Trefl Sopot | Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/nwb-KjpKQ9c/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica-Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius | Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:32
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/28716e1b-f41f-432b-9e59-f192c0c76ee6.jpg?crop=1350%3A760%3Anowe%3A0%3A94]()
Tanaskovic dunks with force! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/pxzySVr1rZE/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv-ratiopharm Ulm | Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a35ae8c3-1be8-4f34-a6f6-21f2aa8cd913.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A115%3A38]()
Essengue swats it away! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/SBmdKGOP2IY/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Joventut Badalona-Buducnost VOLI Podgorica | Round 8 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/VM0eoWS6Y5M/maxresdefault.jpg]()
ratiopharm Ulm-Bahcesehir College Istanbul | Round 8 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/26a06284-eb65-4242-bd24-491c38e83538.jpg]()
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica-ratiopharm Ulm | Round 7 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/f1ceb154-e740-4f6b-8b76-1c6f9d5722a6.jpg?crop=1255%3A706%3Anowe%3A27%3A38]()
Ferrell decides the game from deep! Magic Moment
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/786eae94-42fe-4a30-b8a4-7660fde2eb32.jpg?crop=1179%3A663%3Anowe%3A62%3A59]()
Tanaskovic lowers the boom! Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a35ae8c3-1be8-4f34-a6f6-21f2aa8cd913.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A106%3A44]()
Essengue drops the bounce back dime! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/69d9d31a-a625-46bd-b7bf-eff881d9ed56.jpg]()
ratiopharm Ulm-Dolomiti Energia Trento | Round 6 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/DlhnVbmqcpw/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv-Buducnost VOLI Podgorica | Round 6 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/8d51e7a1-aa47-40e2-96c6-1ad3bfa71745.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A109%3A71]()
Teenage hookup: Saraf to Essengue for big alley-oop! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/0eVGHOmE-Po/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica-Bahcesehir College Istanbul | Round 5 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:15
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/dbed030d-cd43-4e15-a816-1e9971666b51.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A97%3A99]()
Kamenjas drives for a dunk! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/490337f5-542b-4164-9163-2ee81c1933e4.jpg]()
Dreamland Gran Canaria-ratiopharm Ulm | Round 5 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:21
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/22/cvLCOSFgLtdFYIEW1CX0GJnVacMGKFkd-1729630948053.jpg]()
Jensen's monster dunk! Magic Moment of the Night
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/JzJSE-E3WtY/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica-Trefl Sopot | Round 4 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c377ba00-3acf-41f1-bbb8-01d4fcbffd26.jpg?crop=1000%3A562%3Anowe%3A66%3A51]()
Sulaimon and Kamenjas combines for the dunk! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/17fac900-fe26-4306-ad51-1afdc4da65d6.jpg]()
Besiktas Fibabank Istanbul-ratiopharm Ulm | Round 4 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 03:55
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/09/rlAV2f7mcO9xVrB1oBeXs8377c1XNaUP-1728506702285.jpg]()
Dolomiti Energia Trento-Buducnost VOLI Podgorica | Round 3 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 03:50
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/08/Rxm2AEGTwFJ51aYLfxsl5VaIWAawOccM-1728413713081.jpg]()
Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius-ratiopharm Ulm | Round 3 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/432fd3bd-3ec3-4596-8fba-b74cc2c969eb.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A126%3A27]()
Essengue skies for the block! Magic Moment
- 04:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9d28af3f-546b-48d7-8ad9-b1d3725db7e7.jpg]()
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica-Dreamland Gran Canaria | Round 2 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a6d7488c-7aee-4c14-a867-21a63b73abd8.jpg?crop=1316%3A740%3Anowe%3A93%3A100]()
Magic Moment: Juwan Morgan throws it down!
- 03:53
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/01/Xua0T5ISYcf6Zt9D7GNRhtHXXjzb942B-1727814309665.jpg]()
ratiopharm Ulm-Joventut Badalona | Round 2 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c284da52-5bbb-461f-bb26-d5efc9471a52.png?crop=750%3A422%3Anowe%3A0%3A76]()
Magic Moment: Roby with a one-handed dunk!
