Killorglin come up just short of Belfast Star in thrilling game

MEN’S SUPERLEAGUE

Belfast Star 85 KSV Killorglin 84

KEANE’S SuperValu Killorglin travelled north this weekend to take on early season pace setters Belfast Star in the latest round of the Superleague.

Killorglin went into this game off the back of a great win up in Cork last weekend when they beat Neptune in their own patch, but are still in the middle of a relegation battle, and every victory will be vital. Kilorglin have five wins and 11 losses from their 16 games.

On the contrary, Belfast were the early season pace setters but have fallen away from the top of the table in recent weeks. They beat Moycullen away last weekend by 9 points and currently sit fourth in the league with 10 wins and six losses. They are probably a little too far off the mark at this business end of the season to win it but are still having a great season, and are always tough to play at home.

They also have 16-year old rising star CJ Fultan in their ranks, and people might remember him as the guy who hit 47 points against Tralee last year in a schools finals. Therefore, taking everything into account, Belfast would have been hot favourites going into this game.

Killorglin won the ball straight from the tip off and made the opening score of the game from the hands of game Daniel Jacobitus – its great to see this guy back to his best in recent weeks. Both teams went at it at top speed and the offensive play in this quarter was simply outstanding.

Jacobitus, American Shaq Dance and Adam Donoghue were flying for Keanes, while Belfast had their own stars in teh form of Mike Davis and Fultan. Both teams could hardly miss in the first and by the time the small break arrived, it was a first quarter score Belfast Star 25 Killorglin 24.

The second period saw Belfast come out of the blocks fast and they went into a couple of points lead almost straight away. Conor Quinn and Sergio Baldovi both hit unanswered scores for Belfast before Killorglin got going again with a basket from Dance, who was having an outstanding game. Adam Donoghue hit a three and player coach Declan Wall a two to reduce the lead but Belfast pulled away again, and at half time, had a seven-point lead. Belfast Star 49 Killorglin 42.

The third quarter has not been great for Killorglin this year, but they seemed determined to not let any mistakes happen this time. Shaquille Dance owned this period and hit five from five in two point attempts and one from two at three point attempts, and two form three free throws, to finish the quarter with 15 points – just outstanding. He was ably assisted by Wall, who hit a three of his own and a couple from Jacobitus. Ivan Bogdanovic added his own two points from the free throw line as well, and by the time the buzzer went, it was game on, with the teams locked on a score line of Belfast Star 68 Killorglin 68.

Both teams went for it hell for leather in the last period and it was on a knife edge right to the end. Belfast were really struggling to contain Dance but Killorglin were having their own defensive problems with Mike Davis. Both teams went score for score right to the end of the game, and there was never more than a basket between them right to the buzzer.

The pressure and excitement was intense, but when the final buzzer went it was Belfast who held a point lead to win.

Special mention to Shaq Dance who finished the game with 30 points and 10 rebounds – it was some performance from the guy.

Next game up for Killorglin is an away game in Cork to take on UCC Demons next weekend and then just two home games to play after that, where hopefully we can get the win our recent performances would justify.

TOP SCORERS

KSV KILLORGLIN: Shaquille Dance 30 pts, Daniel Jacobitus 28 pts, Ivan Bogdanovic 9 pts, Pierre Newton 15 pts

BELFAST STAR: Mike Davis 39 pts, Serio Vidal Baldovi 14 pts, Conor Quinn 11 pts