UCC Demons' new recruit Patrick Robinson downs Killorglin
UCC Demon's Patrick Robinson drives past KCYMS Beni Fungula at the Mardyke Arena. Picture: David Creedon
UCC Demons produced a remarkable final quarter to defeat Flexachem Killorglin in an epic Men’s Super League clash at the Mardyke Arena.
Demons looked in trouble after losing American Elijah Tillman and Bosman Toby Christensen in the closing quarter but showed tremendous resilience when defeat stared them in the face.
Demons gave a debut to American Pat Robinson as Sean Clancey is still sidelined while a knee injury kept Irish international David Lehane out as well. Robinson was simply awesome finishing as MVP and contributing 29 points and his display coming down the stretch was right from the top drawer.
A slammer from Elijah Tillman gave Demons the perfect start in their opening possession with Robinson following up with a brace of free throws.
Amazingly Killorglin, who are a shooting team, blitzed Demons with a flurry of three-pointers that saw them surge into a 20-14 lead before Demons decided to call a time-out in the sixth minute.
Credit to the former Neptune ace Jordan Blount, he nailed three superb shots outside the arc, as Demons at last changed up their defence on the restart. Gradually Demons got back to level pegging in the final minute mainly due to Tillman getting more assists at the post.
Robinson made a magical move in the final possession that edged Demons into a 26-25 entering the second quarter. On the restart, both teams continued to shoot the ball with precision but Demons, with the exception of Robinson, were shooting the ball inaccurately.
The visitors to their credit continued to shoot the ball with precision and the sides were still level at 42 points each in the 17th minute. Despite playing in snatches Demons managed to hold a three-point lead, 48-45, but Killorglin were still very much in this game.
The opening exchanges in the second half were scrappy as both teams continued to put up ridiculous shots and four minutes into this period Demons led by seven points following a basket and bonus from Tillman.
Tillman picked up his fourth foul with three minutes remaining and with the sides level again Scott Hannigan came up with a huge pointer.
There is little doubt Demons were hanging in as their scoring had completely dried up and with Robinson now struggling, they looked in trouble. Two Scott Hannigan three-pointers did help steady the ship and with Killorglin on team fouls in the closing minutes Demons restored a seven-point lead.
Once again, another careless spell saw Killorglin respond with five unanswered points and Demons were fortunate to command a three-point advantage heading into the final quarter. Scott Hannigan certainly had the hot hand for Demons draining his fourth three-pointer on the restart.
The home side just couldn’t close the game out as Killorglin kept responding but Eimantes Spudlis produced a wonderful slammer with six minutes remaining that gave Demons a five-point lead. The closing minutes were intense but Robinson took over that ensured his debut was a memorable one.
P Robinson 29, E Tillman 25, J Hannigan 15, S Hannigan 15.
J Echexonachukwu 30, J Blount 25, C Riggs-Ladine 19.
S Hannigan, J O’Leary, B Murphy, T Christensen, P Robinson, J Hannigan, D Lehane, E Spudis, K Hosford, C Looney, D Cuff, E Tillman.
C Riggs-Ladine, C Buckley, Cillian Buckley, B Fengula, D Wall, N Powell, J Echezonachukwu, C Murphy, J Blount, L Croke, C Blount, R Elksnis, E Evans, O Okeke.
L Cassidy (Dublin), M Malysko (Portlaoise), E Buckley (Kerry).
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