University of Galway Maree are three points clear at the top of InsureMyVan.ie Super League after a 100-90 win at last season’s South Conference winners Emporium Cork Basketball. It’s a three-way tie at the top of the MissQuote.ie Super League following wins for Trinity Meteors, DCU Mercy and defending champions The Address UCC Glanmire.
Galway Bay FM's Adrian O'Neill reports
DCU Mercy made it five wins in a row in the MissQuote.ie Super League, following an emphatic 79-49 victory on the road against an understrength University of Galway Mystics. Mark Ingle’s side led from start to finish, with four players scoring double figures in a well-rounded performance. Lindsey Abed top scored with 14 points, while she was joined in double figures by Ciara Byrne (13), Nicole Clancy (12) and Ciara Mulligan (11). The win marks five wins out of six this season, proving a tough side to beat after losing by a single point to Singleton SuperValu Brunell on the opening weekend.
University of Galway Maree were 100-90 victors at Emporium Cork Basketball in their top of the table clash in of the InsureMyVan.ie Super League. Both teams sat on four wins from five prior to the contest, but it was the visitors who showed mettle in the final quarter to sit pretty in top spot. Jarett Haines was in fine form for Maree, sinking 32 points, alongside teammate Joe-Junior Mvuezolo on 29.
On a great weekend for away sides, reigning champions Garvey’s Tralee Warriors got back to winning ways with an 85-64 win at Moycullen. The hosts showed some positive signs early on and Grant Olsson proved tough for Warriors to deal with, but Moycullen’s difficult start to the season continued, as De’Ondre Jackson stepped up once again to top the scoring charts with 30 points, averaging 26.3 so far this season.
Results:
InsureMyVan.ie Super League
Saturday, November 12th
Emporium Cork Basketball 90-100 University of Galway Maree
Moycullen 64-85 Garvey’s Tralee Warriors
MissQuote.ie Super League
Saturday, November 12th
University of Galway Mystics 49-79 DCU Mercy
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University of Galway Maree go top of Superleague
Emporium Cork 90 University of Galway Maree 100
by Cóilín Duffy
University of Galway Maree went top of the Mens Superleague on Saturday night, as the visitors grabbed their fifth League win of the campaign so far, eventually easing to a well-earned 100-90 away victory over Ballincollig.
Jarett Haines scored a season-high 32 points during an impressive performance, which saw Maree continue on their winning run, with this historic victory.
After securing their place in the Cup quarter-finals at Flexachem's expense last week, Haines was predictably decisive when they needed a spark - again their leading scorer - while Joe-Junior Mvuezolo and Rodrigo Gomez also sung from the same hymn sheet.
Mvuezolo had 21 of his 29 points in a second-half that quickly escaped the hosts, who like many opponents before them couldn't stay in-front long enough to consistently produce defensive stops.
Gomez had more balance to his scoring bursts as they came in bunches, but was engaged from the first whistle before notching his fourth 20-point outing in six league games so far this term.
Much like last weekend's result, this wasn't all plain sailing though as Maree dug deep for the win.
Ballincollig pushed them hard before Maree collectively took better care in possession.
Haines and Mvuezolo both scored timely baskets in the second quarter, while strong defensive play subsequently saw their hosts' shooting numbers cool off.
It was exciting to watch them work in full flow, galvanising others too.
John Burke's active hands defensively set the tone in limited minutes, while Eoin Rockall was a steady playmaking presence. Big man Zvonimir Cutuk also posted five of his nine total points during the late stages before the break.
There were some sequences of slick ball movement, with Gomez playing a decisive two-way role-playing those disguised passes and receiving them through traffic without losing possession.
Ballincollig only made four more three-pointers (12-8) total over the 40 minutes.
Quick possessions made for a nip-and-tuck affair where the lead frequently changed hands before half-time with the sides eventually tied at the interval.
Maree impressed at the start of the second-half. They showed good anticipation and active hands to steal the ball, as Mvuezolo charged to the basket in transition.
Immediately afterwards though, all that good work was undone as they conceded a Jose Jimenez Gonzales three down the other end.
He had 10 of his team-high 28 points in that third quarter, yet Gomez's jumper with three seconds left saw them with an eight-point deficit to overturn in the fourth.
They cut it to four at one stage, before Gomez and Mvuezolo drilled threes a minute apart. The advantage was soon into double figures, with Maree closing out another important early season scalp.
The league leaders face bottom side Moycullen at the Kingfisher next Saturday (7pm) for a Galway Derby matchup that may prove a banana skin, with games between these local rivals always keenly contested.
After the game, Cóilín Duffy spoke to a delighted University of Galway Maree coach Charlie Crowley
Cóilín also caught up with University of Galway Maree top-scorer on the night Jarett Haines.
Scorers for University of Galway Maree: Jarett Haines 32, Joe-Junior Mvuezolo 29, Rodrigo Gomez 20, Zvonimir Cutuk 9, John Burke 4, Eoin Rockall 4, Zach Light 2.
Scorers for Emporium Cork Basketball: Jose Jimenez Gonzales 22, Adrian O'Sullivan 14, Ciaran O'Sullivan 10, Keelan Cairns 9, Dylan Corkery 4, Pau Cami Galera 2, Ronan O'Sullivan 1.
University of Galway Maree:
Starting line-up: Eoin Rockall, Rodrigo Gomez, Jarett Haines, Joe-Junior Mvuezolo, Zvonimir Cutuk.
Bench: John Burke, Comhghall McCormack, Stephen Commins, Ben Burke, Zach Light, Garry Fernane, Paul Freeman.
Emporium Cork Basketball:
Starting line-up: Adrian O'Sullivan, Dylan Corkery, Keelan Cairns, John Dawson, Jose Jimenez Gonzales.
Bench: Andrew O'Connor, Sean O'Flynn, Pau Cami Galera, Ciaran O'Sullivan, Ronan O'Sullivan, Colm Blount, Luke O'Sullivan.
