Lakers make it five wins from five in Portlaoise

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Portlaoise Panthers 77 Scotts Lakers St Pauls 94

IT has been the best possible start to the new season and a Super September for Scotts Lakers, who recorded their fifth win on the trot in St. Mary’s Sports Hall in Portlaoise last Saturday.

After a close opening half, the Killarney side broke away opening up a 22-point gap that effectively put the game out of reach for Portlaoise Panthers. Lakers 100% unbeaten record was also matched by Ballincollig last weekend and it sets up a mouth watering top of the table clash in Killarney Sports Centre on this Saturday night.

In Portlaoise last Saturday night, Scotts Lakers started brightly with Papito Hersisa and Dailian Mason leading the way. American Mike Pierre kept the home side in touch but Lakers enjoyed a slight 23-21 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Scotts Lakers maintained their advantage throughout the second quarter with Papito Hersisa dominating in all sectors while Sean O’Brien was also a very influential figure. Dylan O’Sullivan also featured prominently and Lakers led 46-41 at half-time.

Scotts Lakers started the second half in convincing fashion and opened up a commanding lead that eventually helped to secure victory. Sean O’Brien continued to impress while Andrew Fitzgerald and Dailian Mason were also outstanding and the Killarney side were 7553 in front as the game entered the final quarter.

The closing period was a mere formality and the Lakers lead was never really threatened. It was a match where coach Cormac O’Donoghue made full use of his bench using all ten players on duty. James Murphy added the final basket of the night with Lakers having a comfortable 17 point to spare in the end.

The Killarney side scored ten three-pointers with Papito Hersisa hitting five in his 28-point total. The big Dutch power forward was also a colossus under the boards grabbing 20 rebounds which included 18 on the defensive end.

SCOTTS LAKERS: Papito Hersisa 28, Sean O’Brien 23, Dailian Mason 20, Andrew Fitzgerald 10, Dylan O’Sullivan 4, Shane McCarthy 3, Mark Greene 2, Justin Tuason, 2, James Murphy 2, Marko Bencic.

PORTLAOISE PANTHERS: Mike Pierre 28, Mantas Vilimas 14, Jack Dooley 9, Sean Condon 6.