BASKETBALL: Basketball Ireland Round-Up

Within 90 seconds of the restart, the advantage was down to 10, with Hoops hitting 11 without reply, and 9 of those from Reed. Tigers though never let their opponents get any closer and ensured their passage.

UCC Demons were pushed all the way by Belfast Star but managed to hold their nerve to claim a six point win in Belfast on Saturday evening.

Demons' preparations weren't helped by the loss of Ryne Hamblet through injury and Star almost made them pay. A tight contest finished 45-45 at the interval with Star's US duo, Pierre Thomas and Jermaine Washington, making an impact. However, the visitor's managed to progress with Shane Coughlan, hitting 25 points, while Colin O'Reilly produced another fine performance with 18 points.

"With Ryne Hamblet out due to injury, the Demons collectively rose to the occasion," said Demons Head Coach Douglas Leichner. "Shane Coughlan was instrumental in the victory with his timely baskets and ability to run the team. Colin O'Reilly continues to thrive under pressure and was huge on the boards and would not be denied. Our bench was the difference in the game as Carlton Cuff and Niall Murphy played great defense and came up with two crucial steals at the end of the game. Overall, I am very happy with the Cup victory. It is very difficult to beat Star with such a strong home court advantage."

In Sunday's clash, DCU Saints let a 10 point lead at the interval slip as they suffered an 85-75 defeat at home to Neptune.

Saints lead 42-32 at the break but a meek display after the re-start saw them exit the cup with ED Millard hitting 30 points in Neptune's win.

Meanwhile, in the Women's SuperLeague National Cup, Team Montenotte Hotel Cork's hopes of making it three successive cup titles were maintained with a gritty win over UL Aughinish (49-36) and they will now face DCU Mercy in the last four, who accounted for LeisureWorld Churchfield IONA. (67-47)

Waterford Wildcats (84-57) and Tolka Rovers (67-52) will make up the other semi final pairing after wins over Meteors and DART Killester respectively.

"It was a Dog-Fight, but you do what you have to do" - the words of Mark Scannell after his Montenotte Hotel Glanmire side emerged 49 - 36 winners over UL in a tough low scoring National Cup game at the Neptune Stadium. It was a game in which both defenses had the upper hand and the scoring bears that out. With 4:39 on the clock in the first quarter, the sides were level at 2 points each! It wasn't just good defense that contributed to the low scoring as chance after chance was missed by both teams.

UL's US star Kristen O'Neill was held scoreless and indeed UL again only managed 5 points in the third period leaving Glanmire with a 14 point lead going into the final quarter; 39-25.

The last quarter was as tough as it gets in ladies basketball prompting the quote from Mark Scannell. UL did threaten a revival midway through the quarter but Glanmire withstood the pressure and fought their way through the final minutes to go through on a score line of 49 points to 36.

For more information

Shane Whelan
Public Relations Officer
www.basketballireland.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1 4590211
Fax: +353 (0)1 4590212
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Tymon Park, Dublin 24