Another defeat sends Killorglin deep into relegation woe
Maree 91 Keanes Killorglin 84
KILLORGLIN were on the road yet again this weekend when they travelled to Galway to take on fellow strugglers Maree in the latest round of the Superleague. Killorglin went into this game looking to get their season back on track after a series of losses, the most recent of which was up in Dublin last weekend when they lost to DCU Saints in a closely fought game.
Killorglin went into the game sitting second from bottom in the league table, while Marie were right there beside them, but the difference was the Galway side came into the game off the back of a massive win last weekend against league leaders Belfast Star up in Belfast. Meanwhile, Killorglin had a number of absences due to injuries and exams commitments, and so it was always going to be a difficult night.
Both teams went at it from the start, with Maree going into an early lead. Killorglin’s American player Pierre Newton showed he was in the form for a big game from early doors, and a lay up and three pointer from him kept Killorglin’s scoreboard ticking over. Further swishes from outside the arc from Nugent and Daniel Jacobitus saw the score after 15 to 14 half way through the period. However, Maree got a run going at that stage and they outscored Killorglin 7-1 in the remaining time of the quarter to leave the score at the end of the quarter Maree 22 Killorglin 15.
Adam Donoghue and Jacobitus made big shots at the start of the second period for Killorglin, after strong offensive plays from home grown talented point guard Liam Croke. Croke also got fouled on a lay up but was unable to punish Maree from the free throw line. Vetern Declan Wall and Killorglins new American signing Stacey entered the game for Killorglin and they combined twice to make nice scores from under the rim.
However, Maree were not allowing the KIllorglin scores to go unanswered and with six minutes left in the quarter, it was Maree by 9. Killorglin were not being clinical from the free throw line and should have been much closed at this stage but when Wall made another basket following a lovely assist from Donoghue, it left the score at half time Maree 51 Killorglin 39.
The third period was always going to be crucial and Killorglin started it well, with a three from Newton and back to back scores from Jacobitus. Maree had a score in between before Newton got fouled going for a three and he made all three free throws. Killorglin were back n the ball game and with 5:35 left in the quarter, Maree’s lead had been reduced to six points. Jacobitus was playing his heart out for Killorglin and at times, the game threatened to boil over, with no quarter being asked or given.
Bogdanovic was causing trouble for Maree, using his large frame to maximum effect and Maree were struggling to contain him. With 2:20 left, the game was level at 61 points apiece and it was all to play for. Maree stepped on the gas in this last two minutes and made a two and a three to lead by 5 when the buzzer went – third quarter score Maree 72 Killorglin 67
Both teams came out for the final quarter with nothing only winning n their minds, and Donoghue and Wall got Keanes going with threes, while Maree answered with a three of their own. Killorglin started to let the tension of the game get to them little and Bogdanovic had a technical called on him, which Maree punish by making the free throws and also scored from the possession.
With three minutes left in the game, Maree had gone back up by 10. Croke, Newton and Donoghue were playing their hearts out but in the end the clock rang out for Killorglin, and they lost the game by seven points.
So the run of losses for Killorglin continues and they are now deep in a relegation battle.
Next up is a home game when UCC demons will be welcomed to the sports complex on Saturday, December 29.
TOP SCORERS
KEANES KILLORGLIN: Pierre Newton 30 pts, Daniel Jacobitus 19 pts, Ivan Bogdanovic 10 pts
MAREE: Niels Bunschoten 22 pts, Eoin Rockall 17 pts, Sean Sellers 14 pts