Basketball Ireland weekly round-up

Dylan Cunningham's three pointer on the buzzer gives Moycullen their first SuperLeague win.

In the latest series of Nivea For Men's SuperLeague fixtures, Moycullen have earned their first win of the season, while UCC Demons claimed a crucial win away to Killester.

UL Eagles remain the only unbeaten side in the league and Neptune inflicted more woe on Ulster Elks.

Moycullen's search for a win has come to an end after a thrilling 82-80 win over UCD/Marian in front of a packed gym at the NUIG on Saturday evening.

The visitor's from the capital travelled to the West on the back of two wins but a dramatic ending from Moycullen dashed their hopes of a third consecutive win.

Daniel James thought he had won this thrilling affair with a basket in the closing stages before 18 year old Dylan Cunningham struck a three pointer in the final seconds after some excellent work from Nathaniel Joseph Fritsch.

Cunningham said: 'I didn't expect to be in the position to take the shot but Nathaniel did brilliantly to set me up.

'Nathaniel took a few of their players out of the action and I was left wide open to convert, I thought there was more time left on the clock but I am delighted it proved to be the winning score.'

He added: 'We produced a good defensive display.

'We have been unlucky not to get the win before now but it's great to be off the mark.'

Dylan, who plays alongside his father Nollaig, believes the side never lost their confidence despite their losing run: 'The SuperLeague is a big step up from Division One but we always felt once we could get a win it would give everyone a huge boost and the belief that we can do well in this league.'

UCC Demons put aside the worries of their home gym, the 'Mardyke Arena' to record a crucial 82-71 win away to Championship rivals Killester.

The Mardyke Arena is likely to be out of action for the rest of the season after severe flooding hit the famous Cork venue but the news didn't put Demons off their task against Killester in Clontarf.

Killester's cause wasn't helped by the absence of injured duo, Paddy Kelly (sprained ankle) and Michael Westbrooks (foot injury), while Michael Goj was forced out after three minutes of the second quarter with a back problem.

The home side lead by a point at the break, but Demons gained control after the re-start and their Head Coach Luke D'Alessio felt his side never looked like relinquishing their advantage.
D'Alessio said: 'It was a tough, physical game.

'Our defence was tremendous and our bench did extremely well. They are a very athletic side but we played really well after half time and I felt we were in control of our lead.

'The win is another step towards the consistency we are craving and I am delighted with the way the team has bounced back after losing the unbeaten run at home to HOOPS a couple of weeks ago.'

UL remain the only team unbeaten in the Nivea For Men's SuperLeague but they were pushed all the way by DCU Saints before eventually winning out 84-80.

The Southern Conference lead by a solitary point at the break but held their nerve to ensure a sixth win in a row.

Stuart Robbins, October's Player of the Month in the Southern Conference, kept up his impressive scoring form with 29 points, while the Saints' tally was helped by the likes of Eoin Darling (19 points) and James Donnelly (18 points).

UL Eagles put in a good run towards the end of the third quarter with Glenn Wong nailing some key baskets.

The Limerick lads led by five points heading into the final 10 minutes but they had to do without their point guard Scott Kinevane, was picked up his fifth foul.

DCU kept hustling and some big scores from the Donnelly brothers and Eoin Darling kept them within a score of UL. The final two minutes proved a nervous ending but UL did just enough down the stretch to win the game.

UL Coach Tony Hehir was pleased with the win: 'It was a close game and we struggled at times. But I am pleased to get out with the win and it also gives us a number of things to work on in training next week.'

Neptune sit third in the Southern Conference after their 76-67 win at home to an Ulster Elks side who are still looking for their first win of the season.

The Cork side lead by a healthy 18 point lead at half time but the visitor's with Ian O'Boyle and Paul Cummins impressing improved after the break but the deficit proved too big to claw back.

Neptune Head Coach Pat Price said: 'We are an improving side.

'Ulster Elks are a lot better than their record suggests and I believe they will go on a good run once they get that first win under their belt.

'We held them to just 24 points by half time but they responded well and made it very difficult for us. We are trying to get a momentum going after a tough run on the road but I am pleased with how we are progressing ahead of a tough couple of weeks, including the start of our cup campaign.'

It was business as usual for the reigning champions Team Montenotte Hotel Cork as they overcame Bausch & Lomb Wildcats on a scoreline of 78-47.

Scannel said: 'Wildcats worked hard and made it uncomfortable for us at times. 'We didn't really hit the high notes in scoring and missed a few easy lay-up's but it's another win and I'm pleased to have four wins from our first four games.

'We are on the road next week and we face a couple of tricky games but we are on a good run and hopefully we can improve on this performance and keep the run going.'

UL's impressive run in the IrishSport TV Women's SuperLeague continued on Saturday evening courtesy of a 97-65 win at home to Meteors.

James Weldon's side held a 16 point lead at half time against a gutsy Meteors before running out comfortable winners by a 32 point winning margin.

Rachel Vanderwal was once again to the fore with 28 points, while Irish international Michelle Aspell chipped in with 22 points.

Weldon said: 'It was a much better display. 'We were very solid defensively and our transition game was very good so I am pleased.

'It was an all round team display but we face a testing couple of weeks ahead with Killester, Team Montenotte Hotel Cork and DCU Mercy all on the horizon.'

On Sunday, DCU Mercy ended Killester's perfect start to the season with a comfortable 67-48 win.

Last season's beaten finalists were in control at the break with a 18 point leading margin and went on to secure victory with good scoring performances from Lindsey Peat (16 points), Suzanne Maguire (12 points) and Lisa Palmer (10 points).

Mercy Head Coach Mark Ingle said: 'I am pleased with the win, we are putting a run together but we still have a lot to work on.

'We had a poor third quarter and allowed them come back at us but we held our nerve and managed to steady the ship in the final stages.'

SATURDAY 21st NOVEMBER
Nivea for Men's SuperLeague
Moycullen 82 (46) (N Fritsch 32, C Nihill 21, D Cunningham 11) UCD Marian 80 (45) (L McCrone 24, C Meaney 18, D James 14)

UL Eagles 84 (38) (S Robbins 29, M Hall 16, S Kinevane 13) DCU Saints 80 (37) (E Darling 19, J Donnelly 18, M Trimmer 11)

Neptune 76 (42) (J James 30, G Walsh 10, I McLoughlin 10) Ulster Elks 67 (24) (P Cummins 15, I O'Boyle 14)

Killester 71 (38) (J Turner 27, P Madsen 16, A Casey 12) UCC Demons 82 (37) (N Murphy 26, J Johnson 17, S Coughlan 9)

Irishsport.tv Women's SuperLeague
UL Basketball Club 97 (48) (R Vanderwal 28, M Aspel 22, L Galvin 13) Meteors 65 (32) (E Naughton 18, E Mairtin 16, J Kavanagh 14)

Team Montenotte Hotel Cork 78 (38) (N Dwyer 12, A O'Regan 11, M Breen 10) Bausch & Lomb Waterford Wildcats 47 (23) (C Kavanagh 16)

Tolka Rovers V Sligo All Stars, OFF

Basketball Ireland's Men's Division One
Maree V Queens, OFF

Titans V Team Meadowlands St. Brendans, OFF;

Tolka Rovers V Team Loftus Ballina, OFF

Waterford 73 (39) (S Begadon 15, K Nyhan 12, N Berry 9) Portlaoise 68 (32) (P O'Sullivan 18, P Fagan 16)

Basketball Ireland's Men's Senior National Cup
St. Mary's 71 (34) (J Galvin 24, T Fleming 14, V Velykis 9, D Griffin 9) Killester 68 (30) (J Behan 23, P Ward 13)

Basketball Ireland's Women's Division One
Team Kilkenny V UL Basketball Club, OFF

Thurles Knights 46 (26) (N Mullaly 10, M Bourke 10) Oblate Dynamos 63 (32) (T McKenna 13)

SUNDAY 22ND NOVEMBER
Irish Sport.tv's Women's SuperLeague
DCU Mercy 67 (38) (L Peat 16, S Maguire 12, L Palmer 10) Killester 48 (20) (F Carrick 11, L Gray 7, A Maguire 6)

Basketball Ireland's Women's Division One
Brunell 54 (22) (D.O'Leary 15, M White 11, R Lyall 9) Glanmire 57 (28) (M Parker 18, C O'Shea 12, E O'Callaghan 11)
Ulster Rockets 44 (21) (F Toner 15 N Lennon 8 N Smye 7) Liffey Celtics 37 (22) (A Pupin 10, A O'Connor 8, S Hannon 6)