Ratiopharm Ulm Loses 92-97 to Rasta Vechta After Free Throw Struggles

Ratiopharm Ulm squandered a 14-half-time lead and lost 97–92 in overtime to the winless Basketball-Bundesliga bottom club Rasta Vechta on Saturday night, Augsburger Allgemeine reported. The defeat was sealed at the free-throw line, where Ulm shot an abysmal 47 percent.

Missed Opportunities and Free-Throw Woes Sink Ulm

The visiting side held a comfortable 47–33 advantage at the break after hitting 18 of 22 shots from close and mid-range during the opening two quarters. However, head coach Ty Harrelson’s team completely lost their rhythm after halftime. Vechta slowly chipped away at the deficit before Matt Lewis sank two free throws with 90 seconds remaining in regulation to complete the comeback and put the hosts ahead 79–78. Michael Rataj missed two free throws for Ulm with just three seconds left on the clock, missing a chance to win the game outright before Jaylen Sims converted one of two attempts to force overtime at 84–84.

Roster Shakeups and Lineup Adjustments

In a surprise tactical shift prior to tip-off, Harrelson altered his backcourt by naming Marvin Heckel to the starting lineup instead of Adam Atamna. The change highlighted ongoing roster issues for Ulm at the playmaker position. Atamna eventually entered the contest in the first quarter, sinking a layup midway through the frame to give Ulm their first lead at 10–9. Meanwhile, Lenny Liedtke logged extended minutes off the bench, playing more than ten minutes total after seeing virtually no floor time earlier in the season. Armel Traore started at center for Ulm for the second match in place of Simi Shittu.

Tibor Pleiß Dominates the Glass as Rataj and Watson Lead Scoring

Veteran center Tibor Pleiß fueled Vechta’s second-half surge, pulling down 14 rebounds on the night and scoring to pull his side within two points at 59–61 late in the third quarter. In the extra period, Ibi Watson fouled out quickly for Ulm, and the visitors’ free-throw struggles resurfaced. Trailing 95–92, Atamna missed his first foul shot and deliberately missed the second, but Pleiß secured the rebound to extinguish any hopes of a late rescue. Michael Rataj led Ulm with 22 points, and Watson added 16 in the losing effort.

Nelson Weidemann Departs Vechta for New Zealand

Saturday’s fixture marked the fifth and final appearance for guard Nelson Weidemann in a Vechta uniform. The 27-year-old, who played for Ratiopharm Ulm over the previous two seasons, spent just one month with the Rastas before completing a transfer to the BNZ Breakers in Auckland, New Zealand. The Breakers are coached by former German national team head coach Gordon Herbert.