Blake Murphy plays his part as UCC Demons basketballers grab Super League top spot

UCC Demons 104 Belfast Star 98 

UCC Demons will go into the Christmas period as Men’s Super League leaders following a crucial win over Belfast Star in an action-packed game at the GCU Arena on Sunday.

This was basketball at its best with Demons having to dig deep against a side that recently signed two top-class Americans and defeated Neptune on the eve of this game.

Many solid displays from Demons but let’s give a special mention to Blake Murphy, the former Cork footballer whose work in defence and his 11-point contribution was his best ever at this level.

Max Richardson drained a three-pointer on Star’s opening possession and with Demons defence all at sea, the visitors soon extended their lead to five points with a second basket from the same player.

Elijah Tillman was getting a lot of looks in the opening exchanges that helped tie the game midway through the quarter.

Tillman hasn’t been getting the rub of the green with referees this season as many of the defenders are flopping when he is posting up and he had to be substituted when picking his second foul in the sixth minute.

To be fair the northerners were battling hard at both ends of the court and entering the final minute only trailed 28-25 with possession.

Both teams exchanged baskets with Demons leading by three points entering the second quarter.

On the resumption Scott Hannigan nailed a monstrous shot outside the arc but the Star American Deondre Jackson replied with a coast-to-coast basket.

It has to be pointed out that Demons defence was lethargic at times but luckily, they were nailing key baskets that kept their noses in front.

The return of Tillman only lasted five minutes as the third foul called on him was a poor decision that had the home crowd booing the match official.

Luckily Demons' second American Pat Robinson was giving an exhibition of scoring for his team and with three minutes remaining to the interval they led 50-45.

Credit to Star they battled back and with Demons defence continuing to be suspect they were fortunate to go in at the break with a slender one-point lead 52-51.

On the restart, Tillman wasn’t risked as both teams traded baskets in the opening four minutes but two minutes later the big man was reintroduced.

Star to their credit continued to battle hard and with four minutes remaining in this period led by the minimum.

The closing minutes of this quarter were competitive, but Blake Murphy got a magnificent tip and bonus late in this period as Demons took a five-point lead 77-72 into the final quarter.

Robinson opened with a brace of free throws but with Demons defence continuing to struggle Star continued to punish them.

Murphy was certainly making a good impression and when he got a steal in the 33rd minute it helped his team increase their lead to seven points.

The closing minutes were frantic and tense, but Demons played with a basketball brain and found Tillman for late baskets secured a win after a thrilling game of basketball.

Top scorers for UCC Demons: P Robinson 27, T Christensen 21, E Tillman 16, J Hannigan 14, B Murphy 11.

Belfast Star: M Cooper 27, D Hunter 22, D Jackson 20.

UCC DEMONS: S Hannigan, B Murphy, T Christensen, P Robinson, J Hannigan, D Lehane, E Spudis, K Hosford, C Looney, D Cuff, E Tillman.

STAR: A Quinn, C Quinn, M Richardson, J Summersgilll, P McGagahan, C Ryan, M Cooper, L Pettigrew, O Kerlin, D Hunter.

Referees: J Malaysko (Dublin). L Aherne (Limerick), M Landos (Dublin).