BASKETBALL Lions Book Their Place in Playoffs

Limerick Lions came to the National Basketball Arena on Sunday 1st March, to fight for a win over Hoops that would set up a quarter-final game against UCD Marian in the Playoffs. It was the visitors that got the better start - going nine points ahead before Philip Taylor finally put the home team on the scoreboard with three minutes gone in the game. Hoops worked hard to get into the game in the first quarter with baskets from Philip Taylor, J Reed and Mark Reynolds but Seلn Coffey and Stephen King ensured that Lions kept their lead finishing the quarter with an eleven point advantage on a score line of 15-26.

Robert Taylor brought Hoops back into the game in the second quarter contributing eleven of their eighteen points in the quarter and also claiming some important defensive rebounds. Limerick continued to penetrate the Hoops defence and scores from Neil Campbell and Joel Green maintained their advantage as nine points (33-42) separated the teams at half time.

Both teams started well in the second half with this game still to play for but again it was Limerick that seemed more eager for the win and they put on an excellent display of three-point shooting for the crowd, highlighted by Seلn Coffey's impressive seven threes in the game. Limerick scored 31 points in the third quarter and although Rob Grant tried to keep Hoops in touch, this Limerick side was relentless on offence and held on to their lead. With 4 minutes remaining in the game, J Reed gave the Hoops fans the life-line they needed with a big three, followed by a steal to reduce Lions lead to sixteen points (61-77) but unfortunately for the home crowd it was never going to be enough and Limerick finished out worthy winners on a final score line of 73-88.

Limerick Coach, JP Nerbun was delighted with his team's performance in this final game of the NIVEA from Men's SuperLeague Regular Season. He said, "The team really came together today and were unselfish with the basketball. The great thing about the performance today is that we've been blowing leads all season long and hopefully we've finally found a way not to be afraid of the win. It was a real test today to see who wants to be that team that makes the playoffs and I believe we really wanted it more".

Meanwhile in the Basketball Ireland Intervarsity Finals co-hosts University of Ulster in Jordanstown edged past University College Dublin in the Men's Cup Final with a score of 85-73 and in the Women's Cup Final, Dublin City University were beaten by University College Cork (64-78). In the Men's Plate final, Trinity College Dublin overcame the Royal College of Surgeons (68-51) and Dublin Institute of Technology had a convincing win over Maynooth to claim their first ever Championship victory (74-42) in the Women's Plate Final.