BASKETBALL Demons inflict more woe on DART

The latest Nivea For Men's Superleague fixtures on Sunday saw UCC Demons inflict more woe on DART Killester, Belfast Star continued their excellent run with victory in the all Ulster affair with Ulster Elks and Neptune gave their Play-Off hopes a massive boost with an overtime win over UCD/Marian.

On Saturday, Ulster Elks collected their second victory of the season at home to Limerick Lions, HOOPS were dismantled by a rejuvenated Abrakebabra Tigers, while Belfast Star beat DCU Saints.

UCC Demons, who ended DART's reign as National Cup champions last weekend, piled on more agony for the Dubliners on Sunday with an 84-77 win at the Mardyke Arena.

Demons Head Coach, Douglas Leichner, paid tribute to his side's ability to put their cup success last week to one side: "I thought it was a great gutsy effort, to re-focus so quickly is a massive testament to that side.

"It was going to be a huge challenge to see if the players could put the drama of the cup and the week that followed behind them. We must not be satisfied with just the cup, we must be able to concentrate all our efforts on the league now and make it a truly memorable season," he added.

"It was a tough win but one we managed to grind out and now we can look ahead to the last few weeks of the season with renewed vigour."

The Southern Conference runaway leaders looked in complete control at the break, leading 43-31 but DART hit back with a spirited response.

Demons' Irish trio, Shane Coughlan, Niall Murphy and Colin O'Reilly put in big performances, while John Behan top scored for DART with 16 points.

Neptune boss, Stephen McCarthy, was beaming after his side produced a mammoth display to emerge from their clash away to UCD/Marian with an overtime win (99-89).

"It was a tough game," said McCarthy. "We lost to them earlier in the season so that gave us extra motivation heading up for this one.

"It was extremely tight at the end of normal time but we just managed to hold on to get the game into overtime and I am delighted we have managed to come through against one of the top sides in the country.

"Results were kind to us elsewhere on Saturday night and we are now in with a great position of achieving our goal of a Play-Off place."

The sides finished 81-81 each after normal time but it was the Dublin side who led at the break 49-44 with David Ryan and Conor Meany impressing.

However, Neptune held their nerve in overtime to win courtesy of a 10 point margin and leave their hopes of making the Play-Off's in a healthy position.

Belfast Star's excellent run of form has continued with a Play-Off place certainly within reach. Their second win in a busy weekend came at home to Ulster Elks but they were made to work hard for their nine point success.

Darren O'Neill's Star trailed by nine at the interval but Kevin Foley, who secured 20 points in the win, played a huge part. Matt Betley and Ian O'Boyle impressed for Elks who have shown great improvement of late.

HOOPS' hopes of making the Play-Off's took a serious dent on Saturday night when they suffered defeat at home to Abrakebabra Tigers (96-101).

A late surge from HOOPS, with a salvo of "threes" from Phil Taylor, Rob Taylor and J Reed, could not rescue this game as they lost out by five to the visitor's.

The home side trailed 29-19 at the end of the first quarter with John Teahan's three pointer on the buzzer rounding off a fine opening period for the Kingdom side.

Two late baskets from Rob Taylor and another from Rob Grant left just five between the sides at the half.

HOOPS took a time out but a bucket from Dan Griffin on the restart opened the gap further and at the end of the quarter there was 11 between them as Tigers led by 72 points to 61.

Ahmad Smith's HOOPS sensed a comeback with a steal and a three from Rob Taylor but Tigers were not going to relinquish a precious win.

In the closing stages a quick foul to stop the clock put Hadley at the line for two. An immediate response with a "three" from Eoin Chubb left just three between them with seconds remaining, however, Hadley sealed the victory with two more from the foul line as the clock ran out.

Ulster Elks produced a big scoring display at home to Limerick Lions and had the game killed off within the first 10 minutes.
A strong team performance from all players saw the Elks go up by 22 points, walking off the court after the first half with the score 34 - 12. Included in the team performance was the individual brilliance of Irish International Ian O'Boyle, who picked up 15 points in the first quarter alone.

In the second quarter the Elks didn't let up, dominating at both ends of the floor and scoring another 24 points to lead 58 - 28 at the break.

The Elks weren't going to be denied and refused to let their opponents into the contest and went on to secure a 97-74 win.
DCU Saints' hopes of making the important stages of the season were dented on Saturday night as Belfast Star took control of the game on Saturday night with Jermaine Washington hitting a massive 39 points in the win.

Meanwhile, in Basketball Ireland's Women's Superleague, Team Montenotte Hotel Cork followed on from their National Cup success last weekend with a tough 81-69 win away to Meteors.

Beaten National Cup finalists Bausch & Lomb Wildcats responded with a 67-52 success away to Leisureworld Churchfield IONA.

DCU Mercy remain perched at the top of the table after a 65-58 success away to Dublin rivals Tolka Rovers with Irish international Mary Fox contributing 25 points in the win. UL Aughinish kept up the pressure on the league leaders with a 62-39 win at home to DART Killester.