Neptune exit National Cup after cracking clash with Belfast Star
Neptune's Eli Lenihan scores a superb three-pointer past Belfast Star's Conor Quinn during their Men's National Cup clash at Neptune Stadium. Picture: David Keane.
A terrific fourth quarter from Belfast Star was good enough to see off Energywise Ireland Neptune in a pulsating Pat Duffy Men’s National Cup first round clash at a packed Neptune stadium on Saturday.
In a game that could have gone either way, Star found the key baskets coming down the stretch and inspired by American Jordan Green (31) and Irish international Rap Buiyvdas (19) they just about stumbled over the line.
Shane Bell showed his skills from tip- off with a lovely touch to the hoop that was followed by a Buivydas tip as the northerners surged into a four- point lead.
Neptune went into the game without their Bosman Jaylan Hodge who was sidelined with a knee injury and it was Sean McCarthy who nailed the opening three-pointer in the second minute.
In fairness, both sides looked up for battle in the opening five minutes but with Star shooting the ball with precision they commanded a 17-10 lead.
Credit to Neptune they kept battling and following a monstrous Sam Smith three-pointer, they reduced the deficit to two points, 22-20, with 2.52 remaining in the quarter.
The introduction of Dylan O’Rourke certainly worked the oracle for Neptune and when he finished a drive to the hoop, it helped his side lead 27-24 entering the second quarter.
On the restart, Neptune continued to play at high tempo and midway through the second quarter, Neptune still commanded an eight-point lead.
A couple of sloppy plays and turnovers cost Neptune and Star helped by a Max Richardson three-pointer reduced the deficit to three points: 38-35.
In the closing exchanges before the interval both sides shot the ball extremely well and the sides were level entering the final minute.
The home crowd were certainly behind their team and a late Kendall Taylor three helped them take a three-point lead into the break, 49-46, after a highly charged first half.
On the restart, Neptune fluffed two possessions before Smith nailed a jumper but Star looked to be playing meaner defence despite trialing 52-50 in the 23rd minute.
Roy Downey, after a slow first half, then banked a crucial shot. And when McCarthy followed up with two free-throws Neptune led 58-53.
It was evident Neptune were fatiguing in defence as the sides were tied at 60 points each in the 27th minute.
Shane Bell was the one player hurting Neptune but in truth, some of Neptune’s defence was non-existent allowing the American drive to the hoop for unchallenged lay-ups.
Star had the better of this period and they looked to be gaining control entering the final quarter when commanding a five-point lead 67-62.
Star began with a stunning dunk from Jordan Green before Taylor responded with a three-pointer and a free throw.
Coming down the stretch Neptune were concentrating on shooting outside the arc but once again a long-range Smith shot dropped. Followed by a McCarthy back-door lay-up, suddenly they led 73-70.
Midway through the quarter, the sides were level at 75 points each, but Neptune ran out of ideas when the game hung in the balance with a Richardson three sealing their fate.
S McCarthy 23, S Smitth 21, K Taylor 16, E Linehan 15.
J Green 31, R Buivydas 19, S Bell 18, M Richardson 13.
J Hodge, S McCarthy, E Lenihan, J Scannell, R Downey, A Heaphy, N Sabata, K Taylor, S Smith, N Power, E Nelson, P Osagie.
P A Adedeji, A Quinn, C Quinn, M Richardson, R Graham, R Buivydas, L O’Neill, C Liston, S Bell, L Pettigrew, J Green.
Jamie Dooley (Portlaoise), Emer Buckley (Killarney), Carolyn O’Mahony (Tralee).
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