Patrick Robinson shines as UCC Demons outgun Killester in classic Super League final

Robinson came up with the big plays in the closing minutes as Danny O'Mahony's side came from seven down in the fourth quarter
Patrick Robinson shines as UCC Demons outgun Killester in classic Super League final

Patrick Robinson hit a sensational 35 points for UCC Demons against Killester. Picture: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

UCC Demons 94 Killester 92 

UCC Demons produced another miraculous win that saw them crowned Dominos Men’s Super League champions after an epic win over Killester at the National Basketball Arena on Sunday.

This game had everything and although Demons looked in trouble coming down the stretch, they found the will a win to win against all the odds with MVP Patrick Robinson finishing with a 35-point tally.

Ciaran Roe only took 40 seconds to nail the opening three-pointer and he followed with a lay-up to surge Killester into a five-point lead. Demons were sloppy in the opening exchanges with silly passing and shooting options.

Roe was posing Demons all sorts of problems with his outside shooting and he managed to nail two more shots outside the arc that helped his team lead 13-7 in the fourth minute. The Cork side looked to be struggling on many fronts with Americans Elijah Tillman and Robinson making little or no impact they were down 18-10 in the sixth minute.

Elijah Tillman of UCC Demons dunks the ball. Picture: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Elijah Tillman of UCC Demons dunks the ball. Picture: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Another huge problem for Demons was their poor defending with Killester getting easy looks and unchallenged lay-ups. Luckily Demons kept hanging in and a Robinson three helped them reduce the deficit to five points with 1.42 remaining in the first period.

The closing exchanges were fast and frantic as Demons managed to reduce the deficit to 26-24 entering the second quarter. Andrew McGeever nailed a three-pointer for Killester on the restart only for Toby Christensen to respond for Demons.

Robinson levelled the game midway through the quarter as the tempo wasn’t relenting and with four minutes remaining to the interval the teams were still on parity. Another Robinson basket gave Demons the lead for the first time in the half, but silly shooting options came back to haunt them as Killester surged back up by six.

Credit to Demons they battled back in style mainly due to playing smarter basketball as they led 49-47 with 30 seconds remaining before the excellent Kason Harrell tied the game. Demons had possession with 4.30 seconds with a time out but amazingly Robinson stepped out of bounds and Killester got back possession, but the sides went in at the break tied at 49 points each after a gripping half.

Looking at the half-time stats, Demons only made five from 15 attempts outside the arc, a 33% average, with Killester six from 11 an impressive 55% tally. The biggest problem for Demons was their inability to get good assists into Tillman as the big man was basically starved of quality ball.

Tillman did start with a brace of free throws but Harrell immediately brought the sides back on level pegging. Tillman went off injured after scoring in the 22nd minute when he seemed to pull up with a calf strain.

The Cork side despite missing the physicality of Tillman were hanging in and led 61-56 midway through the quarter. The action was fast and furious and despite Demon increasing their lead to eight points Killester finished stronger and entering the final quarter the Cork side had only a three-point cushion, 75-72.

Killester opened up with consecutive baskets and when Roe followed up with three and a basket, Demons looked in trouble. The Dublin side were now on top and with seven minutes, left they had a seven-point lead. They also lost veteran Kyle Hosford to a second technical.

UCC Demons supporters urging on their side. Picture: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
UCC Demons supporters urging on their side. Picture: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

However, the National Cup holders couldn't put Demons away. Robinson led the fightback and with 1.24  remaining, Demons had it back to two, 91-89, with possession.

The closing minutes were electric as Robinson tied it up before putting Demons ahead: 93-91. 

Harrell then went to the line on the next play and made one of his two free throws. Killester were forced to foul with the clock winding down to regain possession which sent James Hannigan to the line.

He converted one of his two free throws and Killester called a time-out, trailing by two with five seconds to go. Harrell missed a game-winning three and the ball ended up with McGeever, who got a shot off but missed as the buzzer sounded and Demons celebrated victory after an epic contest. 

Top scorers for UCC Demons: P Robinson 35, E Tillman 17, T Christensen 11, D Lehane 10, J Hannigan 8.

Killester: K Harrell 27, C Roe 21, I Dasher 19.

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

KILLESTER: P Dick, C Evans, D Sheridan, A McGeever, E McKean, P Sullivan, I Dasher, F Raheem, C Roe, K Harrell, B Chazelas, E Kiernan.

Referees: M Nazimek (Dublin), E Perry (Dublin), L Aherne (Limerick).

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