Lakers leap past LYIT

MEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Scotts Lakers 77 LYIT Donegal 74

SCOTTS Lakers bounced back from their recent cup exit with an impressive victory over a fancied LYIT Donegal side in Killarney Sports Centre last Saturday. The northerners travelled to Killarney in confident form having won all of their previous five league matches. However the home side gained a strong upper-hand in the opening quarter and managed to maintain an advantage despite the best efforts of a Donegal team that were right in contention until the closing seconds.

Lakers point guard Mick McGinn was a prominent figure from an early stage and along with Aaron Jackson, Toby Christensen, Mark Greene and Carlton Cuff, the home side dominated to open up a 16-4 lead midway through the first quarter. McGinn, Christensen and Greene all added further three-pointers to give the home side a 2811 advantage at the end of the first period.

A quick three-pointer from Seamus Brosnan extended it to 31-13 and with Toby Christensen dominating under the boards,

Scotts Lakers led 35-18 midway through the second quarter. LYIT clawed it back a bit through Mario Garcia and Manny Payton to trail 41-31 at half-time.

The outstanding Mick McGinn and Mark Greene knocked down further three-pointers to open up a 47-34 lead after two minutes of the second half. However, LYIT pulled it back again narrowing it to 47-43 following good work from Payton, Garcia and Uhl. However Lakers maintained their grip through Jackson, Christensen, McGinn and Cuff to lead 56-45 with three minutes left while a buzzer beater from Jackson left it 63-55 for the home side at the end of the third quarter.

Lakers appeared comfortable leading 7160 midway through the final quarter but Lyit had a late rally with Uhl, Payton and Garcia inspiring a great comeback to trail 71-68 with two minutes remaining.

Again the Lakers looked home and dry leading 76-70 with 21 seconds left but a huge four point play from Payton narrowed it to 76-74 with just 16 seconds left. Sensing the opportunity of snatching a late victory, LYIT threatened again but a huge defensive block from Aaron Jackson was a timely boost for the Lakers while Carlton Cuff added an insurance free throw to secure the home win.

Overall it was a very satisfying team performance from Scotts Lakers. Big Toby Christensen had a huge game hitting 17 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. Team captain Mark Greene had his best game of this season chipping in with four three-pointers. Aaron Jackson, Carlton Cuff and Seamus Brosnan also impressed while point guard Mick McGinn was a commanding presence throughout with an MVP display highlighting how important a signing he has been since joining the Lakers in the past few weeks.

SCOTTS LAKERS : Aaron Jackson 23 , Toby Christensen 17, Mick McGinn 13 , Mark Greene 12 Carlton Cuff 9, Seamus Brosnan 3.

LYIT: Manny Payton 23, Mario Garcia 18, Dominique Uhl 16, Charlie McKinney 8, Andy McGeever 6, Aaron Temple 3.