Elijah Tilman in devastating form on UCC Demons return against Eanna
UCC Demons' Elijah Tillman played well against Eanna in the Men's Super League game at the Mardyke Arena Picture: Eddie O'Hare
UCC Demons 100 Eanna 82
A 34-point exhibition from the retuning Elijah Tillman got UCC Demons Men’s Super League campaign off to a winning start as they easily disposed of Dublin side Eanna at the Mardyke Arena on Sunday.
Tillman was part of Demons Super League triumph in 2025 has been playing his basketball in Bahrain and China for the last 18 months but his power at the post will make Demons a serious threat to all contenders in this championship.
The Dublin side got a terrific start when Conor O’Sullivan made a deft move to the hoop and finished in style before Elijah Tillman levelled proceedings with nice tip from a rebound.
Just like last season Demons' defence was questionable and they allowed Eanna the next two baskets. Demons responded to the wake-up call and with their second American Asanti Price coming good they surged into a four- point lead.
As the quarter matured Demons began picking off the baskets with the introduction of James Beckom yielding a basket and three pointer that gave them a 24-14 lead in the eight minute.
Careless defence once again came back to haunt Demons with Conor O’Sullivan in particular running havoc but the home side managed to have a six- point lead 26-20 entering the second quarter.
On the restart Tillman was fouled and made one of his free throws but Eanna responded with three free throws following a silly Demons foul outside the arc.
Price then drained a three pointer but at times the American was overdoing it in that department attempting some ridiculous shots.
Indeed, at times some of Demons players were attempting shots from wayward positions and at wrong times when in possession.
The home team continued to make errors in the offence court as the shooting options became a huge problem and with 3.25 remaining to the interval Eanna were very much in the game trailing 36-32.
In the closing minutes, the game became a scrappy affair with Demons poor defending allowing their opponents easy unchallenged baskets.
In the space of a minute, Demons got a 10-point run on their opponents that included a stunning three-pointer from Tillman as the home led 48-36 entering the final minute.
Both sides exchanged baskets, but Demons will be happy to have went in at the break commanding a 15-point lead, 53-38.
Looking at the half-time stats Demons were 7/21 outside the arc but Eanna were luckless in that department failing to make a shot out of 12 attempts.
Scott hannigan nailed a three pointer on the restart that increased their lead to 18 points, but the scrappy play continued at both ends of the court.
It was hard to make out what Demons structures were in the offence court as it looked like various players were just taking on the responsibility of shooting the ball when getting clear looks.
Eanna were missing Cork-born Irish international Sean Jenkins through injury but in fairness Cathal O’Sullivan looks a player for the future.
As the quarter matured the play got scrappier with both teams producing basketball well below the standard needed at this level.
Entering the closing two minutes Demons relied on the presence of Tillman at the post whose power and baskets kept his team in control and they looked happy to command a 15-point lead into the final quarter.
Daryl Cuff banked a shot on the restart and James Hannigan followed up with a lay-up Eanna were forced to call a time in the opening minute.
After starting okay Demons once again resorted to some sloppy defending and with seven minutes remaining their lead was reduced to 14 points.
Tillman was the standout player as Eanna simply couldn’t defend him at the post but the overall play from his teammates was awful at times.
In the end the Tillman factor ensured it was a Demons win.
E Tillman 34, A Price 20, T Fam 12, S Hannigan 12.
C O’Sullivan 21, M Taylor 19, M Christal 16.
J Hanigan, J Beckom, B Horgan, D Cuff, J O’Leary, D Lehane, S Hannigan, L Sutton, E Tillman, T Fam, A Price, D Rocha.
A McCarthy, C O’Sullivan, D Kiernan, K Andabaka, M Taylor, N Lynch, D George, N Hopkins, K Walsh, H Lynch, M Christal, N Coughlan.
Jamie Dooley (Portlaoise), Leanne Ahern (Limerick), Marius Landos (Portlaoise).
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