MEN'S PREMIER LEAGUE
Travelodge Swords Thunder 80-43 Templeogue BC
Travelodge Swords Thunder have won their first ever Men’s Premier League game in comprehensive fashion against Templeogue.
Michael Goj lead the way with 20 points for the home side but was ably assisted by Juan Torres and shooting guard Marcus McDaniel with 13 points each.
It was in defence where Thunder truly excelled under the leadership of Isaac Westbrooks as they frustrated Templeogue’s attacking threat throughout the encounter.
Neptune BC 80-100 C&S UCC Demons
Colin O’Reilly orchestrated an impressive win for C&S UCC Demons from both sides of the sideline in the Cork derby.
The player-coach chipped in 20 points as Demons took their unbeaten streak from pre-season and into the league proper.
Point Guard Kyle Hosford was also instrumental in the win with 20 points to his name. Michael Bonaparte’s performance will offer comfort to Neptune after his transfer from Killester, while Nigel Byam also looked the part on his debut.
DCU Saints 51-76 Killester BC
Killester opened the defence of their league title with a win over North Dublin rivals DCU saints.
Conor Gordon’s full court defence laid down a marker in the opening quarter while Jerome Turner ‘s offensive rebounds were key in a game where both sides were shooting a low percentage of field goals.
Top scorer for Joey Boland’s DCU Saints was Martins Provizors with a defiant 18 points.
UCD Marian 78 – 80 Dublin Inter
Dublin Inter reeled in UCD Marian in the final quarter to disappoint their hosts in an entertaining encounter in Belfield.
The home side fielded a strong starting five but faltered when Inter took the lead in the home straight and debutante Preston Ross was fouled out.
Inter looked to have let the advantage slip when Conor Meany drained a 3 pointer inside the final minute but secured the win with the game’s last 2 baskets.
WOMEN'S PREMIER LEAGUE
Meteors 60 – 53 Courtyard Liffey Celtics
Meteors got their 2014/2015 league campaign up and running with a seven-point win over Courtyard Liffey Celtics in Blackrock.
A new look Celtics came into the game hopeful of making a statement but couldn’t live with Meteors’ new 6’1’’ signing Christine Ganser. The American notched 21 points and helped Meteors to surge clear in the third quarter.
A fourth quarter fight back was not enough for Celtics, despite the best efforts of Erin Bracken.
UL Huskies 50 – 58 Maxol WIT Wildcats
Maxol WIT Wildcats hit their groove in the third quarter to open their league account win a win over UL Huskies at the UL Arena.
It was a tight affair throughout and level at half time but WIT’s American duo of Olivia Applewhite & Diara Moore stepped up as the game developed to close out the win.
Little was expected of UL Huskies coming into this game after a disruptive pre-season but American Kelsey Harris repaid her welcome to Limerick with a 26 point performance.
