Three of the four teams taking part in next weekend’s Hula Hoops Men’s National Cup semi-finals warmed up with wins in Round 11 of the Basketball Ireland Men’s Premier League.
Templeogue’s tenth successive league win saw them past DCU Saints by a scoreline of 81-73 at the National Basketball Arena.
The sides were level heading down the stretch before crucial baskets from Sean Flood and Baolach Morrison handed them the initiative.
Winning head coach Mark Keenan said: “We needed that bit of resolve to close out the game and that’s a good thing to have heading into the semi-final. It should keep us on our toes anyway. ”
A first-quarter run of 16 points without reply proved crucial as C&S UCC Demons beat Pyrobel Killester 87-72 on Saturday.
“That was our most complete performance of the season,” said Demons forward Niall Murphy. “If it turns out we’re peaking for the next couple of weeks, then we’ll be happy.”
The result also gave Demons outright second place in the league.
GCD Swords Thunder brushed past an under-strength UL Eagles by 68-114 in the final game of the weekend, while Belfast Star picked up their third win in a row to beat Eanna by 78-91.
DCU Mercy extended their lead at the top of the Women’s Premier League with a hard-fought 67-60 win at Meteors.
The sides were level through the first and second quarters before Mercy snuck in front with ten minutes remaining. Chelisa Painter put up 31 points for Mark Ingle’s side.
Singleton SuperValu Brunell pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat UL Huskies 76-68. The Limerick side ran up a 15-point lead in the third quarter before Brunell reeled them in as Amy Waters hit 25 points.
While Pyrobel Killester pulled away from Portlaoise Panters in the final quarter to win 85-69.
SATURDAY 2 JANUARY
Men’s Premier League
UCD Marian 73 SSE Airtricity Moycullen BC 59
Eanna BC 78 Belfast Star 91
C&S UCC Demons 85 Pyrobel Killester BC 72
Women’s Premier League
Meteors 60 DCU Mercy 67
UL Huskies 68 Singleton’s Supervalu Brunell 76
Portlaoise Panthers 69 Pyrobel Killester 85
SUNDAY 3 JANUARY
Men’s Premier League
Templeogue BC 81 DCU Saints 73
SSE Airtricity Moycullen BC 68 C&S UCC Demons 77
UL Eagles 68 GCD Swords Thunder 114
