Belfast Star came from behind to build a 12-point cushion for the second leg of their Hula Hoops Men’s National Cup tie with Pyrobel Killester, as Neal McCotter’s side won 86-74 at the Methody.
“Jermaine Turner was in foul trouble so he couldn’t run at Keelan [Cairns] too much,” said Star’s head coach. “After a tough first half, Keelan was knocking down shots in the second.”
Cairns hit four three-pointers in the third quarter alone before Marty McDonald’s drive up the middle gave Star the lead for the first time with 14 minutes left.
UCD Marian gave themselves room for comfort with a 116-85 win over DCU Saints. It was the first time Ioannis Liapakis’ side have broken the 100 point barrier. “We want to be a winning team that keeps the opposition to 65 points or less,” he said. “We’re not happy with this kind of scoreline where we give up 85 points.”
C&S UCC Demons all but assured themselves of a place in the semi-final with an 82-53 win at UL Eagles while Eanna went down 78-59 to GCD Swords Thunder. Templeogue beat SSE Airtricity Moycullen by ten points in Galway.
A last-gasp buzzer-beater gave Singleton SuperValu Brunell an 80-78 win at home to Portlaoise Panthers in the Preliminary Round of the Women’s National Cup.
Panthers were leading by three points with 12 seconds to spare when Kaylee Kilpatrick narrowed the gap and a back-court violation robbed Panthers of a chance to respond. Megan O’Leary then launched a three-pointer on the buzzer to win it for the Cork side.
In the National Intermediate Club Championships, Kerry footballer Kieran Donaghy made his return to cup basketball as St Brendan’s booked their place in the quarter-finals. The quadruple All-Ireland winner scored 16 points.
Cian Lally hit a career high 53 points for Sligo All-Stars in their U20 Men’s National Cup over Titans.
