UCC Demons into Super League final after epic with Tralee Warriors
UCC Demons' Blake Murphy gets in his pass against Garvey Tralee Warriors during the Men's Super League semi-final at the Mardyke Arena. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
A winning basket and bonus from Elijah Tillman saw UCC Demons edge out Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in the terrific Men's Super League semi-final at a packed Mardyke Arena.
In probably the best game of the season in Irish basketball, Demons shaded it in the closing stages, much to the delight of their delirious supporters.
They had top performances from Patrick Robinson (30 points), James Hannigan (20) and Toby Christensen (20) while Tillman, held to 11 points overall, came up with a huge play to get his side over the line in this breathtaking game.
Their reward is a Super League showdown with Killester on Sunday, April 13 at the National Basketball Arena, a repeat of the National Cup final the Dublin outfit prevailed in.
James Hannigan only took 15 seconds to open with a stunning three-pointer only for Brandon Mahan to level proceedings on the Warriors' next possession.
The tempo of the game was incredible and the Warriors kept the pressure on Demons to lead by the minimum, 15-14, midway through the quarter.
The tension was at fever pitch with both sides going for the jugular, but Demons dropped their guard and in the space of two minutes the Warriors surged into a 30-23 lead. Demons coach Danny O’Mahony was forced to call a time-out with 1.06 remaining but an immediate turnover saw Daniel Jokubaitis add a lay-up that increased Warriors' lead to nine.
Luckily Demons battled back and reduced the deficit to six points courtesy of two Dave Lehane free throws and at the buzzer, the Warriors were punished with a technical foul. On the restart Lehane nailed one free throw and when Tillman added another two the lead was down to three: 32-29.
Warriors were racking up the fouls that allowed Demons back in the mix with James Hannigan (taking his tally to 14) on fire in this period. Hard to believe Demons only trailed 42-40 midway through the quarter as only Hannigan was showing any sort of form in the offence court.
Suddenly Demons led as Robinson registered five unanswered points as both sides were now making errors.
Demons got their noses ahead again following a Scott Hannigan three-pointer and with 41 seconds to the interval the visitors called a time-out trailing 52-48. Both sides managed a basket each but an interesting second half looked on the cards with Demons having a 54-50 lead.
On the restart, the Warriors opened up with consecutive baskets following sloppy Demons turnovers. Midway through the quarter Demons trailed 64-63 and after Marquavian Stephens showed two lovely touches, the Kerry team had a six-point advantage with four minutes remaining in the third.
The hosts looked flat and in trouble entering the closing minutes of this period as consecutive Rapolas Buivydas three-pointers gave his side an 11-point lead.
In fairness Demons found another lease of life when they were on the ropes and a buzzer-beating lay-up from Kyle Hosford reduced the deficit, 79-76, entering the final quarter.
A James Hannigan basket cut the gap to the minimum on the restart as the game remained in the balance with neither side showing any signs of relenting.
Into the closing minute, Mahan nailed a lay-up and Tralee were up by a point, 101-100 with a Demons time-out called.
In the end, Tillman showed why the Demons faithful love him with his basket and bonus that ensured his team will play Killester in the decider on April 13 at the National Basketball Arena.
P Robinson 30, T Christensen 20, J Hannigan 20, K Hosford 12, E Tillman 11.
M Stephens 24, R Buiyvdas 23, B Mahan 21.
S Hannigan, B Murphy, T Christensen, P Robinson, J Hannigan, D Lehane, E Spudis, K Hosford, C Looney, D Cuff, E Tillman.
M Stephens, B Mahan, J Fernane, R Leonard, J Osayanrthion, K Crowe, R Buivydas, D Jokubaitis, G Adon, S Bowler, E Quigley.
N Nazimek (Dublin), L Cassidy (Dublin), L Aherne (Limerick).
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