Killorglin slip down the table after home lose to UCD

MEN’S SUPERLEAGUE

Keane’s Killorglin 64 UCD Marion 87

KILLORGLIN came into this game without influential point guard Rami Ghanem due to injury and his absence from the team was always going to mean Killorglin were up against it in this game. They opened well though, with

Allan Thomas and Pranus Shausdauskas both making early scores.

UCD are a top team though, currently third in the league and they didn’t take long to find their range either, with Mike Garrow in particular being very effective with his shooting.

The main talking point at the first break was the injury picked up by Killorglin’s big centre Pranus Shausdauskas, which resulted in him leaving the game in what was a massive loss to an already depleted Killorglin. The first quarter ended with UCD in the lead by 3, on a scoreline of Killorglin 22 UCD Marion 25.

The second quarter was all UCD as they came flying out of the blocks. They increased their lead to 10 points before Daragh Jones finally got Keanes going at the other end. Matt Kelly came into the game for UCD and he hit three three-pointers in a row without answer from Killorglin, who suddenly were finding it very difficult to get the ball in the basket. UCD increased their lead to 18 as they continually ran the court, knowing Killorglin had limited numbers, and Killorglin were glad to hear the buzzer go, with the half time score line Killorglin 32 UCD Marion 50.

The large crowd in attendance knew it needed something special to get Killorglin back into the game, and they opened well with scores from Jones and Erik Flood reducing the deficit. Declan Wall then got the crowd on their feet when he hit a three from his favourite spot in the corner but again, UCD were keeping the scoreboard going at the other end, with Garrow and Aidan Dunne both making big baskets.

The quarter finished the way it started with a two from Daragh Jones which left the third quarter score Killorglin 47 UCD Marion 66.

Again, Killorglin opened well in the last, with Denzel Brito and Colin O Reilly adding seven points between them. The lack of depth on the bench was now starting to catch Killorglin and you could see heavy legs everywhere. They tried hard but they just couldn’t make inroads on the Dublin team, who really are a top shooting team.

Wall added three free throws after being fouled outside but UCD were never in danger of being caught in this game.

The final game of the regular season next Saturday is away from home, as Killorglin make the journey to Galway, where they will take on Moycullen, and hopefully end the season on a positive note.

TOP SCORERS

KEANES SUPERVALU KILLORGLIN: Daragh Jones 13 pts, Allan Thomas 13 pts, Declan Wall 12 pts

UCD MARION: Mike Garrow 21 pts, Aidan Dunne 16 pts, Matt Kelly 14 pts