UCD Marian handed league leaders Templeogue a 64-72 defeat in the Men’s Super League, a result that sees the title race overheat in the run in to the final weeks of the season.
Conor Meany was on form for UCD, scoring a game-high 19 points, while controlling the pace of the play along with his teammate Mike Garrow. Templeogue led by four at half-time thanks to Neil Randolph and Jason Killeen, however it was UCD who would pull away in the second half, with Meany grabbing crucial scores and Neil Baynes dominating on the boards.
After the game, UCD Marian head coach Ioannis Liapakis said: "I’m thrilled with the result and the performance. Templeogue started the game much more aggressively than us but in the second half, our defence was absolutely perfect. We kept Templeogue to 21 points and I’m really proud of my players. The league is wide open now and we have another seven finals to go."
Elsewhere in the league, Pyrobel Killester kept their title hopes alive after they defeated Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin 79-73 in the IWA-Clontarf on Saturday. Captain Ciaran Roe was on hand, once again, to lead his team to victory in what was an incredible team performance. Killorglin kept the pressure on Killester, the Kerry men leading 33-37 at half time, but Royce Williams and Luis Filiberto Garcia Hoyos took over for Killester to help see them run out winners.
Belfast Star also stayed in pursuit of the league title after they were victorious over DCU Saints. Mike Davis put in a huge 26-point performance for Star in the 81-62 victory. Only three points separated the sides at half time but quick scores in the second half allowed Star to pull away.
Moycullen are now in a three way tie at the bottom of the table after they defeated C and S Neptune 108-97. Nothing could separate the sides for most of the game with Patrick Lyons performing well for the Galway side and Lehmon Colbert and Cian Heaphy scoring for Neptune. Isaiah Harris-Winn built a lead for Moycullen and they never looked back.
