NARROW LOSS FOR ALL-STARS IN TIGHT TEST
EJ SLIGO All-Stars suffered their second defeat of 2024 when they lost by a point away to Belfast Star, 98-97, in a pulsating Basketball Ireland InsureMyVan. ie Men’s Super League tie that needed three rounds of overtime to separate these top tier rivals.
A brilliant performance in the third and fourth periods from EJ Sligo All-Stars, who were 21 points down at half-time, 49-28, kept the visitors very much in the mix.
Having been outscored earlier (23-12 in the first period and
26-16 in the second period), EJ Sligo All-Stars were transformed in the second-half, a recovery fuelled by numerous baskets from Chrishon Briggs.
The losers scored 28 points in the third period – compared to a dozen points from the hosts – and broke the 20-point mark in the fourth period, scoring 21 points as Belfast Star answered with
16. EJ Sligo All-Stars were level, 77-77, at the final buzzer and so overtime was required.
The first round of overtime was even (4-4), as was the second (5-5), with North Conference leaders Belfast Star finally getting over the line – but only just – with a 12-11 tally in the third round of overtime for a 98-97 win.
The outcome was cruel on EJ Sligo All-Stars, especially their talisman Chrishon Briggs, a former Belfast Star player, who contributed 31 points.
The other main scorers for EJ Sligo All-Stars were Christian Williams and Tom Child, suppliers of 20 points and 18 points respectively.
EJ Sligo All-Stars are next in action on Saturday week,
EJ SLIGO ALL-STARS’ RESULTS SO FAR (2023-24 SEASON)
BASKETBALL IRELAND MEN’S SUPER LEAGUE
Sligo AllStars Griffith College Éanna 89, EJ Sligo All-Stars 78 (September 30) (L); EJ St Vincent’s 91 86, Belfast Star 93 (October 7) (L); EJ Sligo All-Stars 97, Bright
EJ Sligo AllStars (October 14) (W); Maree 92, EJ Sligo All-Stars 70 (October 21) (L);
Killester 86, UCC Demons 100 (October 28) (L); EJ Sligo All-Stars 93, Pyrobel
25) (L); 76 (November 18) (W); Templeogue 95, EJ Sligo All-Stars 90 (November
30 but EJ Sligo All-Stars 85, Griffith College Éanna 105 (Scheduled for December 94 (December played on December 2) (L); Flexachem KCYMS 76, EJ Sligo All-Stars
Maigh 9) (W); Ulster University 69, EJ Sligo All-Stars 86 (December 16) (W);
January 6) Cuilinn 74, EJ Sligo All-Stars 63 (Scheduled for February 24 but played on
(L); Belfast Star 98, EJ Sligo All-Stars 97 (January 13) (L).
PAT DUFFY MEN’S NATIONAL CUP
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 103, EJ Sligo All-Stars 77 (November 4) (L). LLWLLL*WLLWWLL.
*Cup fixture – the rest are Super League games.
January 27, when they host Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig@MTU (Mercy College gym, 7.30pm). The Sligo club are currently fifth in the North Conference on four wins and eight losses. Belfast Star, meanwhile, have lost just
once in 12 games.
This coming weekend the InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup finals take place at the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, with 11 finals scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.