Ballincollig beat UCC Demons with late scoring burst in thrilling local derby SuperLeague tie

Ballincollig 98 

UCC Demons 90 

Ballincollig had to produce a storming fourth quarter before overcoming UCC Demons in a highly competitive Domino’s Men’s Super League clash at the MTU Arena on Thursday night.

Demons looked to have the game in the bag when commanding a 12-point lead with six minutes remaining, but sloppy turnovers came back to haunt Demons coming down the stretch as Ballincollig punished them at will.

Demons went into the game without James Beckom, who had returned recently after a 15-month absence through injury but he picked up another one in last week’s win over Eanna.

There was an explosive start with Latavious Mitchell banking an early lay up before Jordan Washington responded with a basket and bonus.

The pace of the game was frantic with both sides missing easy tips, but Ballincollig got a run on Demons and surged into a seven point lead 12-5 in the fourth minute.

It got worse for Demons with Ballincollig nailing consecutive three pointers to surge into a 21-7 lead in the sixth minute.

The introduction of Blake Murphy brought a bit of mettle in defence and pace in the offence court and the pendulum swung in their direction as they reduced the deficit to three points 27-24 entering the second quarter.

On the restart Demons tied the game in the 12th minute courtesy of a Fields mid- range jumper but the game was now flowing from end to end before a Daryl Cuff three pointer gave Demons a two point lead.

Defence was a big problem for Demons as they allowed Ballincollig in for unchallenged lay-ups but a Kyle Hosford basket edged them ahead 44-42 with three minutes remaining to the interval.

Both sides were playing in fits and starts but Mitchell brought the arena down with a magnificent slammer.

The visitors got sloppy and Ballincollig took advantage to edge into a 50-49 lead with 20 seconds remaining on the clock with Demons calling a time-out, but they failed to score on the restart.

Mitchell punished a Demons turnover with a basket just 10 seconds into the restart with Washington immediately responding with an easy tip at the post.

The opening exchanges were scrappy, but Demons edged ahead courtesy of Fields baseline jumper.

In the closing minutes both teams went for the jugular with Demons extending their lead to six points with 1.30 remaining and that increased to nine following a Washington basket and bonus.

Trailing 72-62 entering the final quarter Ballincollig needed a good start and they opened with a Mitchell basket.

In the opening four minutes Demons continued to dominate and after Washington again pulled a crucial rebound and finished in style their lead increased to 12 points.

That’s as good as it got for Demons as their careless turnovers handed Ballincollig the points, they didn’t look likely to get for long periods.

Scorers for UCC Demons: J Washington 25, T Fields 19, D Cuff 14, T Fam 14.

Ballincollig: L Mitchell 27, L Jossell 32, J Steel 17. Demons went into the game without James Beckom who had returned recently after a 15 month absence through injury but he picked up a in last week’s win over Eanna.

Ballincollig: A O’Sullivan, J Steel, L Jossell, D O’Herlihy, A Rodriguez, C O’Sullivan, R O’Sullivan, C Blount, L O’Sullivan, D Corkery, L Mitchell, K Cairns.

UCC Demons: B Murphy, S Hannigan, J Washington, L Sutton, K Hosford, J Hannagan, D Lehane, T Fam, C Looney, L Livuvu, D Cuff, B Horgan.

Referees: Jamie Dooley (Portlaoise), Emer Buckley (Kerry), Leanne Aherne (Limerick).