NUIG Maree defeated defending men's InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy National Cup holders Griffith College Templeogue 85-83 in Galway, while women's Paudie O'Connor National Cup holders Killester were also eliminated, losing 102-61 at home to The Address UCC Glanmire.
Griffith College Templeogue started brightly and led by five (25-20) at the end of the opening quarter, extending their advantage to eight (40-32) by half-time.
But the home side clawed themselves back into the contest and NUIG Maree led 62-61 at the end of the third quarter and would eventually edge it by two points. Lovre Tvrdic top scored with 25, followed by Deondre Jackson (23) and Eoin Rockall (9).
Lorcan Murphy was potent at the basket, with a 27 point haul, while Vladamir Tokishin contributed 19.
The 2020 Pat Duffy National Cup losing finalists DBS Éanna are into the quarter-finals after emerging 98-69 winners away at Belfast Star. Stefan Zecevic and Romonn Nelson were their top performers, with 24 and 23 points respectively. James Claar led scoring for Belfast Star, picking up 23 points, followed by Max Cooper on 17.
Killester emerged 25-point winners in the Dublin derby at Bright DCU Saints, 93-68. Farouq Raheem (21), Kason Harrell (21) and Tomas Fernandez Zerolo (17) led their offence.
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors are also into the quarters. They started brightly against Tradehouse Central Ballincollig, leading 23-10 at the end of the opening quarter and 43-30 by half-time.
Tradehouse Central Balliincollig turned it around in the third, Adrian O’Sullivan’s basket with a little over a minute left in the quarter brought the scores level at 50 apiece. The away side nudged themselves in front 52-51 going into the final quarter.
A big three from Aaron Calixte edged Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in front 56-55. He added a two free throws, followed by a three from Eoin Quigley which opened up a six-point lead, 61-55.
Ballincollig tried to get themselves back into it. Andre Nation signalled his intent with a dunk which saw them trail 63-57, but they couldn’t get any closer, with the Warriors winning 74-66.
In the InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O'Connor National Cup, Claire Melia returned to the starting line-up for The Address UCC Glanmire in their 102-61 win at Killester.
Melia was at the fulcrum for the Cork side, with an outstanding performance in link-up play and at the basket. She finished joint-top scorer with 24, alongside American Carrie Shephard, who impressed from the three-point line.
DCU Mercy are into the last eight following a 66-42 win at Team Garvey’s St Mary’s. Alarie Mayze had 17 points, while Hannah Thornton contributed 11 points and Maeve Phelan nine points in their victory.
In the MissQuote.ie Super League Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics were 40-point victors at IT Carlow Basketball, emerging 98-58 winners on Saturday. Adrienne Jackson (20), Ciara Bracken (18), Alexis Dillard (12) headed scoring.
IT Carlow Basketball also had to play at WIT Waterford Wildcats on Sunday, and they were again beaten, 78-55. Kate Hickey (21), Jasmine Walker (17) and Stephanie O’Shea (14) topped the scoring charts for the home side, while IT Carlow’s new American signing Lauren LePlant had 20 points, followed closely by Lucy Coogan, with 17.
WIT Waterford Wildcats are now among five teams with three wins and a loss from their opening four games.
Elsewhere, in the InsureMyHouse.ie President’s National Cup there were round 1 wins for McGowans Tolka Rovers, Limerick Sport Eagles, Limerick Celtics and Drogheda Wolves on Saturday, while on Sunday UCC Demons and EJ Sligo All-Stars also advanced to the quarter-finals.
Sunday saw Portlaoise Panthers beat Scotts Lakers Killarney 100-72 in the preliminary round InsureMyHouse.ie President’s National Cup at Castleisland Community Centre
In the InsureMyHouse.ie Women's Division 1 National Cup there were round 1 wins for Limerick Sport Huskies, Griffith College Templeogue and Swords Thunder.
