BASKETBALL: DART's winning run comes to an end

The Nivea For Men's Superleague provided a dramatic weekend as DART Killester's winning streak in the league came to a shuddering halt at home to DCU Saints, while Belfast Star emerged from the Ulster derby victorious after their win away to Ulster Elks. Neptune's recent revival continued away to Limerick Lions, while UCD/Marian claimed the points away to HOOPS. In Sunday's games, UCC Demons overcame a brave Abrakebabra Tralee Tigers side, while DCU Saints made it back to back wins with a comfortable win over Ulster Elks.

DART Killester's perfect record in the Nivea For Men's Superleague came to an end in dramatic fashion on Saturday night as they suffered a surprise 91-88 Overtime to DCU Saints. The runaway Northern Conference leaders held a slender two point advantage at the interval but Vinny O'Keefe's charges managed to send the game into overtime with the score 78-78. In a tight overtime period, Saints managed to pull away in the final minute with scores from Mike Trimmer and Kasey Ortiz ensuring a famous away win for the Saints. "It was a fantastic game of basketball, credit to both sides for making it one of the games of the season," said DART Head Coach Mark Keenan. "It just didn't fall for us on the night. Saints made better decisions down the stretch and we may have been lucky to bring the game into overtime. "We had a chance to go 13 ahead at the beginning of the fourth quarter but DCU stuck in there and managed to come back," he added. "We are disappointed but maybe it will all re-focus us and maybe this has come at the right time. We are on the back of 10 straight wins in the league, a cup win and it's hard to maintain that level but it's a wake up call for everyone."

Meanwhile, David Donnelly, one of the heroes on the night for Saints said: "We are delighted with the win. It proves we can beat the best in the league."It's very important we make it count by putting a few performances together. There is no point in beating DART if we can't follow it up with now with wins over some of the other sides." Belfast Star claimed a thrilling Ulster derby over Ulster Elks, winning out 99-85 with recent signing Pierre Thomas hitting 23 points in the win. The Northern Conference Player of the Month for November Matt Betley produced another fine display for Elks, claiming 27 points but the home side were always playing catch up after trailing 50-43 at the interval. Star, who also had a good performance from Kevin Foley, extended their lead to 15 points at the end of the third and never looked back. Neptune followed on from their cup success last weekend with a hard fought 78-67 win away to Limerick Lions. The visitor's enjoyed a 41-36 lead at the break with ED Millard and Vincent James providing the all important scores. Irish international Stephen King chipped in with 12 points for the Lions but it proved to be a good evening for Neptune Head Coach Stephen McCarthy."We didn't play our best but that was down to some good work by Limerick," said McCarthy. "It took us a while to settle into the season but everything is starting to gel nicely at the moment. "We are all working towards the National Cup semi with DART in January so it just keeps the momentum and confidence going nicely.
Hoops suffered a six point defeat (76-82) to capital rivals UCD/Marian at the National Basketball Arena on Friday night.

UCD Marian took the initiative in the first quarter through good baskets from Barry Drumm and Michael Parker giving them a 19 to 17 advantage at the end of the first period. The visitors continued to display good shooting form through the second quarter with Conor Meaney, David Ryan and Parker hitting five threes to stretch their lead to ten mid way through. UCD helped by a big three from Daniel James were five points ahead with less than two minutes remaining. HOOPS rushed their next offence and Parker nailed another three to effectively seal the game for UCD. UCC Demons' winning run (83-69) continued at home to an Abrakebabra Tralee Tigers side still reeling by the loss of Michael Quirke and Kieran Donaghy. Irish international Colin O'Reilly hit 27 points in the win, while CJ Hadley put in a good shift for the visitor's (31 points). Demons were ahead by the slightest margins at the break but pulled away after the re-start. DCU Saints rounded off a perfect weekend with their second win in as many days, the latest coming in a thumping 103-81 win at home to Ulster Elks. Betley hit 28 points but Mike Trimmer produced another big display and added 20 points to his tally for the season.

Meanwhile, in Basketball Ireland's Women's Superleague, the big four all made it a successful weekend with Team Montenotte Hotel Cork coming through a fantastic clash with Tolka Rovers (86-75), while DCU Mercy eased past DART Killester. (89-47)UL Aughinish had 15 points to spare over LeisureWorld Churchfield Iona (74-59) and Waterford Wildcats came through a tricky clash away to Meteors unscathed. (71-56)

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