In the Men's Superleague, Daniel Vila was the hero for Moycullen as he slotted home a baseline inbound with 2.4 seconds on the clock to send his side into overtime against Belfast Star. That score tied the game up at 78 points apiece, much to the delight of the big home crowd, and with overtime on the cards, Moycullen dug deep to win out 96-89 in the end, behind superb scoring from James Connaire (26 points), Conor Curran (20) and Vila, who finished the game out with 16. Star led the way at half time, 35-43, thanks to a good scoring from Delaney Blaylock – who finished out with a whopping 39 points, along with solid displays from Aidan Quinn and CJ Fulton. A big third quarter from the hosts though saw them bring the game right back at Star, and just two points separated the sides going into the last, Moycullen trailing 63-65. A huge fourth quarter from both teams followed, with Keelan Cairns and Blaylock getting some key scores, but Moycullen had their tails up and pushed into a four-point lead with just over three minutes to go. Again, Star had an answer and came right back at them, and with 2.4 seconds to go, held a 76-78 point lead before Vila ran home the baseline inbound in style to tie the game level and they pushed on from there in overtime to win out.
Speaking afterwards, head coach John Cunningham said: “That was a super win. We’ve always said that every game is winnable, and we proved it tonight. The lads did a great job of making shots and when we make shots, we’re a match for anybody. I think the U20 win gave us momentum and hopefully we’ll carry that through to next week again. One game at a time has been our motto and that won’t change.”
Moycullen 96-89 Belfast Star (after overtime)
Top scorers Moycullen: James Connaire 26, Connor Curran 20, Daniel Vila 16. Half time score: Moycullen 35-43 Belfast Star. Full time score: Moycullen 78-78 Belfast Star
UCD Marian secured a big win at home on Saturday evening, running out 22-point winners over Maree, 78-56. A massive first quarter from the hosts paved the way for their victory, as they opened up a big 35-6 end of quarter lead thanks to superb scoring from Aidan Dunne and Neil Baynes. Maree bounced back well in the second quarter, but had a big mountain to climb and despite good work from Oriol Balsells Plaza and Paul Freeman, Marian still led the way 48-22 at the half. The Dubliners pushed on again in the third quarter, with Dunne, Mike Garrow and Baynes all knocking down some big scores, while a big defensive effort from the hosts kept Maree to nine points in the quarter to lead 62-31 going into the last, and despite a big closing quarter from the Galway outfit, the damage had already been done and UCD ran out 78-56 point winners in the end.
UCD Marian 78-56 Maree
Top scorers Maree: Oriol Balsells Plaza 13, Paul Freeman 8, Kenneth Hansberry 8. Half time score: UCD Marian 48-22 Maree
Meanwhile, in the Women's Superleague, Maree scooped a big home win Saturday evening, as they overcame Marble City Hawks 75-48 in Galway to keep their spot in second place on the league table. Maree dominated the early exchanges, with scoring from Claire Rockall and Alison Blaney to see them lead, 36-24 at the half. Hawks showed balanced scoring throughout with Katie Fox and Aine and Shelia Sheehy all hitting double figures. The third and fourth quarter saw momentum with Maree though, as they were able to build on their early lead and they proved too much for Hawks in the end, running out comfortable 75-48 point winners.
Speaking after the game, Maree head coach Joe Shields said: “That was an important win for us tonight. We have a great team spirit and are playing hard for one another. I'm happy with where we are, and we know we have tough games coming up, but we'll work hard as always and see where it brings us.”
Maree 75-48 Marble City Hawks
Top scorers Maree: Claire Rockall 16, Alison Blaney 12, Carol McCarthy 10. Half time score: Maree 36-24 Marble City Hawks
Finally, in the Women's Division One, Trinity Meteors remain with just one loss in the league so far this season thanks to a dominant 73-43 point win over NUIG Mystics in Dublin. A superb team performance from the Dubliners saw a solid share of scoring, with Katie Kilbride, Carolyn Binder, Edel Thornton and Sarah Kenny all featuring in double figures as they drove into an early 45-26 half time lead. Good work at the other end from Mystics’ Rebecca Carmody and Molly Robinson just wasn’t enough, as Meteors looked comfortable throughout the second half and won out by 30 points in the end, 73-43.
Trinity Meteors 73-43 NUIG Mystics
Top scorers NUIG Mystics: Molly Robinson 17, Rebecca Carmody 8, Aoife O’Malley 9. Half time score: Trinity Meteors 45-26 NUIG Mystics
