Killorglin fail to pass UCD test as they suffer second loss in Dublin

MEN’S SUPERLEAGUE

UCD Marian 86 Keanes Killorglin 64

KEANES SuperValu Killorglin travelled to Dublin for the second week in a row, this time to take on UCD Marian in the latest round of the mens basketball Superleague. Killorglin went into this game looking to get their season back on track after a heavy loss last week to Griffith College Swords Thunder while UCD Marian were also coming off the back of a loss to Maree. Both teams had similar records to date, Killorglin with three wins from five, and Marian with two wins from five, so it was always going to be a very even game but perhaps Marian being slight favourites due to having home advantage.

Straight from the tip off, it was Killorglin that came out with all guns blazing and they went into a 6-0 lead with scores from Eoin O’Sullivan and two baskets from Pierre Newton. However, UCD Marian took over after that, and dominated the remainder of the quarter. Killorglin struggled at both ends of the floor and with Marian making scores from their possessions, Keanes were barely hanging onto their coat tails. Right at the end of the quarter, Daniel Jakobitus made a three pointer and two free throws, and that left the score at the end of the first UCD Marian 20 Killorglin 11.

Killorglin started the second quarter much better and with American Pierre Newton and Eoin O’Sullvan driving to the board repeatedly and Darragh Jones and Ivan Bogdanovic starting to get the upper hand under the boards, Keanes managed to reduce the deficit to just 3 points with 6 minutes left in the period. However, that was as good as it got for the Kerry men, as Marian found their range from outside the arc again, and made a couple of unanswered three pointers, including a buzzer beater three from Conor Meaney to leave the score at half time UCD Marian 41 Killorglin 27.

Killorglin came out for the third quarter needing to get themselves back in the game, and to their credit, they did that. There cause wasn’t helped by losing their big post player Darragh Jones to injury, but coach Ignas Sijanus was able to bring in 6’11” Croat Marin Britza to replace him and he proved to be an able replacement. Scores from Jacobitus, Ivan Bogdanovic and a couple from Pierre Newton and suddenly the deficit was down to just two baskets and it was game on. Marian didn’t panic though and when Meaney made a basket from a layup, it left the score at the end of the third quarter UCD Marian 58 Killorglin 51 and it was all to play for in the last.

Both teams were going score for score and with 7.24 left on the clock, the lead was 8 points and was anybody’s game. Unfortunately, it was the home team that pressed the accelerator and with Killorglin panicking a little, Marian were able to score eight unanswered points and leave Keanes with a mountain to climb. With 3 minutes left, the lead was 21 points and it was game over. Killorglin tried gamely to the end but Marian were not going to relinquish that lead, and in the end, ran out comfortable winners on a score line of UCD Marian 86 Keanes Supervalu Killorglin 64

So, it was another loss in the capital for Killorglin, but they will have no time to feel sorry for themselves with a huge must win game next weekend against bottom team C & S Neptune - that game is on Saturday in Killorglin at 7.15.

Top scorers

UCD Marian: Conor Meaney 17 pts, Mike Garrow 15 pts, JJ Valls Liobero 12

Keanes Supervalu Killorglin: Pierre Newton 30 pts, Eoin O’Sullivan 10 pts, Ivan Bogdanovic 8 pts