American point guard Bobby Dixon (178-G-83, agency: Beo Basket, college: Troy), joined French side Le Mans Sarthe Basket. Dixon was playing for Benetton Treviso in the Eurocup and had 7.6 pts and 3 asists per game. In the Italian top basketball league Lega Basket he've reached 12.4 points 2.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 17 games .Benetton Treviso, led by Ex- Efes Pilsen coach Oktay Mahmuti is currently at the top of the Eurocup Last 16 group J with 3-0. Dixon used to play in France , in 2006-2007 season at Gravelines and St. Etienne.

Ratiopharm Ulm cruised into the Ballsporthalle ignoring the 117 day Frankfurt unbeaten streak against BBL teams and controlled the last 26 minutes of the game and ruined the 24th birthday of Dominik Bahiense de Mello (190-G-85) with a satisfying 74 to 69 victory. The ghost of Albert Einstein might have secretly slipped into the arena, because Ulm played very intelligent and clever at so many important phases of the game.' If Albert Einstein could of watched the game today, I think he would have been very happy with Mike Taylor and his boys, because Ulm played very smart defense, which helped them win', stressed Skyliner coach Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ). For Ulm coach Mike Taylor , the win had less to do with the ghost of Albert Einstein, but more with the strength of his team. 'This game had more to do with the team than Albert Einstein. We had a big challenge against Frankfurt and my guys responded. We knew how important the game was, and we were motivated and simply won. I am really proud of the team', added Ulm coach Mike Taylor .

For Ulm it was a huge victory, because they did not only climb to position four, but won the season series with Frankfurt. 'This was a big win for us, but we won the head to head competition against Frankfurt which could be a factor in the playoffs', said Ulm forward Romeo Travis (201-F-84, agency: Edge Sports, college: Akron). With the loss, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners fall back to position six and might have a few uneasy nights digesting the difficult loss. 'This was a very tough loss for us. We didnt get enough stops on defense, Ulm knocked down many shots, got to the free line, while we missed too many free throws. Ulm played great team Basketball', expressed American Derrick Allen (203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi). It was the ninth win out of the last 12 games for Ulm and they showed that they can win the close games and will scare and possibly send another BBL team home early in the 2009 playoffs. 'This was not an attractive game, because of the many mistakes due to the aggressive defense, but Frankfurt wasnt as fluid on offense, which helped us down the road, because we knew the longer the game stayed close, the better chances we would have to win', said Ulm German Per Gunther (185-G-88, agency: Rasmussen Services)

One can not forget that The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were a bit handicapped without three players, but that doesnt give Frankfurt an excuse, because they still had ten strong players ready to go.' We were all really disappointed that Konrad could not play. I hope that he can be on the court soon again and help Frankfurt win', stated Ulm coach Mike Taylor . Frankfurt was without Ilian Evtimov (201-F-83, agency: Interperformances, college: N.Carolina St.)(knee problem), Greg Jenkins (206-F/C-82, college: Iona)(muscle tear) and Konrad Wysocki (202-F-82, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Princeton)(Bronchitis), which gave Frankfurt disadvantages under the boards and left Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ) with massive headaches after the loss and further thoughts to Albert Einstein. 'Ulm had some Einstein in them, because they were playing smart and had advantages inside. We couldnt play as intense as the last game. One leg of the team was short, because of injuries. The three injured guys played a total of 100 minutes in Bremerhaven, but those minutes didnt exist against Ulm. They were our missing size that could of helped us win the game. Even Titus Ivory (193-G-79, college: Penn St.) did his best and he had only practiced once in 12 days', said a frustrated Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ). 'We do not feel good with this loss. Even though that we were without three players, we should of played a lot better', commented American Derrick Allen.

The game started out a bit wild as if some of that storm which had created havoc in the Wurzburg area not to far from Frankfurt had some how weaselled its way into the Ballsporthalle, which was almost filled to capacity with 4,940 people including 700 Americans from the Army base in Wiesbaden. Coach Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ) is always good for surprises as he gave American Jimmy McKinney (192-G-83, agency: Strategic Sports, college: Missouri) some self confidence by inserting him in the starting five. Mckinney did an all around fine job, but he is still a bit undecided about unleasing his jump shot. 'I was a bit surprised that I started, but I thought I did an ok job on Jeff Gibbs (188-F-80, college: Otterbein) when I was guarding him. I am just not in the flow with my shot and still looking for my rhythm. I just do what coach says and that is get the ball inside', commented Skyliner guard Jimmy McKinney. Both teams were a bit unsettled in the early going and Frankfurt got two turnovers early. The game promised to be a hard fought war as the first quarter which would have nine lead changes. American Lorenzo Gordon (201-F-83, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: Oklahoma City) quickly showed that he wanted the ball and he produced getting easy buckets including an alleyoop from a perfectly timed pass from his cousin American Jimmy McKinney. American Keith Simmons (196-G-85, college: Holy Cross) nailed a few three pointers giving Frankfurt a 12-11 lead. American Jeff Gibbs also started doing his thing, showing that he may be short, but his heart is bigger than the big apple in New York.

Ulm never ever showed any trepidation as they gave impulses on defense as Ulms versions of last years Koko Archibong (202-F-81, college: Pennsylvania) in Frankfurt, American Keith Triplett (191-G-80, college: Toledo) stole a bad pass from Adam Emmenecker (185-G-85, college: Drake) and went coast to coast with the steal and scored. Ulm led 15-12, but Lorenzo Gordon kept using the miss match against Gibbs and scoring cutting the lead to 17-16. Captain Pascal Roller (180-G-76) and Derrick Allen came from the bench and gave some needed energy as Allen scored from near the three point line on the wing after a nice kick out pass from Roller. Roller then sunk a three pointer and Frankfurt led 21-19. American Keith Triplett ended the first quarter with two free throws. After ten minutes, the game was dead locked at 21 a piece. 'The first quarter was really important for us, because we kept the game close and did not allow Frankfurt to go on a run', commented LeBron James (203-F-84) friend Dru Joyce (183-G-85, college: Akron). Frankfurt had an astronomical 75% shooting percentage from three point land and 64% from the field, while Ulm were shooting 56% from the field and 40% from three point range. The rebounds and turnovers were not really a factor yet as both teams were quite even. Frankfurt had the slight edge of 10-6 in the points in the paint.

The opening minutes of the second quarter stayed quite close as both teams continued to play aggressive Basketball and still were feeling each other out and looking for the other to make mistakes. American Titus Ivory had the gun and unleased a bullet pass to Gordon, who just had to lay the ball in. However the game kept going back and fourth like a pendulum on a clock. American Jeff Gibbs kept showing why he is the best 188 big guy in the BBL as he fought his way past Gordon and made a reverse dunk for the 25-24 Ulm lead. 'Every player has advantage and disadvantes. Gibbs uses his advantages just like if you squeeze a lemon to the last drop. He is just difficult to guard and knows how to use his body to 100% efficency. That is what makes him so strong', warned Skyliner coach Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ).

Frankfurt responded as Titus Ivory found a quick opening and nailed a three pointer from behind the three point line. Lorenzo Gordon followed with a lay up off the fast break. Frankfurt had their biggest lead of the game 29-25. As if Albert Einstein had had his fingers in the formula for Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ) and disrupted it, Ulm surged back as American sniper Daniel Fitzgerald (206-F-84, college: Marquette) made two three pointers and Dru Joyce made a lay up off the fast break. With in a short time, Ulm had cruised out on a 8-0 run and retook the lead 33-29. This was the turning point in the game as The Deutsche Bank Skyliners would never lead again. Ulm finished the second quarter with a Sean Finn (212-C-82, college: Dayton) lay in after getting good position and Daniel Fitzgerald made a mid distance jumper after getting an offensive rebound. Ratiopharm Ulm led 37-31 at half time. 'Daniel Fitzgerald stepped it up down the stretch and really carried the load for us', explained Ulm American guard Dru Joyce. The shooting of both teams took a huge nose dive in the second quarter as both teams were hovering around the 40% mark from the field, while Frankfurt was shooting 36% from the parking lot and Ulm had the 21-16 edge under the boards while the turnovers were even at 5-5 and the points in the paint at 16-16.

The third quarter has never been the bright spot of The Deutsche Bank Skyliners and it proved to be a thorn in their side again as Ulm took control of the game, but Frankfurt continued to fight not letting Ulm get more than a ten point lead. Ulm started strong as Dru Joyce sunk a three pointer. American Sean Finn made his mini left hook to good use and Ulm continued to lead 43-33. The Frankfurt defense had problems finding a way to get consecutive stops and then making hoops on offense. 'Our defense was not as good as usual. We had many lapses in the game and did not rotate well', expressed Skyliner American Derrick Allen. Lorenzo Gordon kept using his size advantage on offense and scoring, but Frankfurt simply could not stop American Jeff Gibbs who kept drawing fouls and making the free throws. 'Jeff did a good job boxing out Gordon. He is simply a block and his long arms help', stated 2006& 2007 NCAA champ of Florida Lee Humphrey (188-G-84, college: Florida).

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners stayed on the tail of Ulm, because each time they tried to go on a run, it was either Adam Emmenecker(three pointer), Derrick Allen(ballerina move in zone) or Lorenzo Gordon(lay in), who kept Frankfurt alive and trying to let Ulm guess what offensive formula would arrive next. The Frankfurt defense was simply not strong enough as Ulm kept finding ways to score. German Sebastian Betz (200-F-85) drained a three pointer and Ulm led again 52-43. However Frankfurt crawled out of this hole as if groundhog day had arrived a bit early as they closed out the third quarter with a 9-3 run. Titus Ivory and Keith Simmons hit big shots leading the come back trail. After 30 minutes, Frankfurt was back in the game trailing only 55-52. 'Jeff Gibbs hit many free throws. We didnt have any empty possessions and made big shots', commented Ulm point guard Dru Joyce. 'Ulm played smart. They got the ball inside a lot and got to the foul line', said Skyliner guard Jimmy McKinney.