Overtime win for All-Stars as they overcome Tralee
THIS was beyond dramatic. EJ Sligo AllStars maintained their drive for this season’s Basketball Ireland InsureMyHouse. ie Men’s Super League play-offs when they recorded a 102-101 overtime home win over Garvey’s Tralee Warriors.
With under two seconds left, a brace of icecold converted free throws from American Christian Williams turned a one-point deficit into a one-point win. This overtime drama makes up for last month’s one-point overtime loss, 98-97, away to Belfast Star.
It was level at the end of the first quarter last Saturday night, 20-20, and tied again at full-time time on 90 points apiece – hence the need for overtime.
In between, the pendulum swung between these teams – Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, who featured ex-Kerry GAA star Kieran Donaghy, outscored EJ Sligo All-Stars during the second quarter, 32-24, to lead by eight points at halftime, 52-44.
A strong third quarter from EJ Sligo AllStars when they hit 27 points (compared to 12 from their opponents) saw the hosts take a seven-point advantage, 71-64, into the fourth quarter.
They needed that cushion as Garvey’s Tralee Warriors responded to ‘win’ this portion of the game, 26-19, as the sides couldn’t be separated at full-time.
The five-minute period of overtime saw EJ Sligo All-Stars go three points up, 100-97, but a late rally from Garvey’s Tralee Warriors appeared to have sunk the home side’s hopes, especially with time almost up when Christian Williams was fouled. He was flawless from the subsequent two free throws and the Mercy College gym erupted.
A seventh win from 15 games, this late, late show – a display and result enjoyed by a full house – keeps EJ Sligo All-Stars in fourth place in the competition’s North Conference and firmly on course for the play-offs, with five games remaining in the regular season.
Along with top scorer Chrishon Briggs’ haul of 31 points (he also won 14 rebounds), matchwinner Christian Williams contributed 29 points and Oisin O’Reilly, back in form after injury, shot 21 points. The top scorers for Garvey’s Tralee Warriors were Rapolas Buivydas (23 points), Daniel Jokubaitis (19 points) and Jarvis Doles (19 points).
Next up for EJ Sligo All-Stars is this Saturday’s away fixture in the capital against Pyrobel Killester (7.30pm) as the side guided by head coach Shane O’Meara and his assistant, Glen Monaghan, strive for a fourth successive win.
Pyrobel Killester, who are sixth in the overall standings, one place and six points better off than EJ Sligo All-Stars, are third in the North Conference (EJ Sligo All-Stars are fourth). The Dublin outfit boast a 9-5 record – their ninth win was last Saturday’s 10484 away defeat of Bright St Vincent’s. EJ Sligo All-Stars won 93-76 when they faced Pyrobel Killester in Sligo last November.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Christian Williams scored 29 points for EJ Sligo All-Stars against Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, including the winning points via two free throws at the end of overtime.
EJ SLIGO ALL-STARS’ RESULTS SO FAR (2023-24 SEASON)
BASKETBALL IRELAND MEN’S SUPER LEAGUE
Sligo All-Stars 86, Belfast Star Griffith College Éanna 89, EJ Sligo All-Stars 78 (September 30) (L); EJ
14) (W); Maree 92, EJ Sligo 93 (October 7) (L); EJ Sligo All-Stars 97, Bright St Vincent’s 91 (October
(October 28) (L); R6: EJ Sligo All-Stars All-Stars 70 (October 21) (L); R5: EJ Sligo All-Stars 86, UCC Demons 100
All-Stars 90 (November 25) (L);
93, Pyrobel Killester 76 (November 18) (W); Templeogue 95, EJ Sligo
30 but played on December 2) (L); EJ Sligo All-Stars 85, Griffith College Éanna 105 (Scheduled for December
University 69, EJ Sligo All-Stars Flexachem KCYMS 76, EJ Sligo All-Stars 94 (December 9) (W); Ulster for February 24 but played 86 (December 16) (W); Maigh Cuilinn 74, EJ Sligo All-Stars 63 (Scheduled
(L); R12: EJ Sligo All-Stars 105, Irish on January 6) (L); Belfast Star 98, EJ Sligo All-Stars 97 (January 13)
95, EJ Sligo All-Stars 105 (February Guide Dogs Ballincollig@MTU 97 (January 27) (W); Bright St Vincent’s
10) (W).
3) (W); EJ Sligo All-Stars 102, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 101 (February
PAT DUFFY MEN’S NATIONAL CUP
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 103, EJ Sligo All-Stars 77 (November 4) (L).
LLWLLL*WLLWWLLWWW.
*Cup fixture – the rest are Super League games.
EJ SLIGO ALL-STARS’ REMAINING GAMES
BASKETBALL IRELAND MEN’S SUPER LEAGUE
7.30pm); Already Saturday, February 17 – Pyrobel Killester v EJ Sligo All-Stars (IWA, Clontarf,
Saturday, March 2 – EJ Sligo All-Stars played – EJ Sligo All-Stars lost to Maigh Cuilinn, 74-63 (January 6);
All-Stars v Energywise Ireland v Templeogue (Mercy College, 7.30pm); Saturday, March 9 – EJ Sligo v Ulster University (Mercy Neptune (Mercy College, 7.30pm); Saturday, March 16 – EJ Sligo All-Stars
College, 7.30pm).