Moycullen are looking to maintain their winning momentum when they face an undefeated UCC Demons in Cork this weekend.
On the back of two straight wins, Moycullen have gained ground in the Superleague table and will head to Cork in optimistic form.
Last weekend they grabbed another vital victory in overtime to take the scalp of DCU Saints in the NUIG Kingfisher Gym by 88-79.
Tight throughout, Saints held one and three-point leads at the end of the first and second quarters respectively, capitalising on a slew of Moycullen fouls that resulted in 14 free throws for the visitors in the first half.
However Moycullen drew closer by the end of the third quarter, which ended with Saints leading by just two. While Saints’ Pat Glover was punishing any lapses in the home defence, Moycullen’s Pat Sullivan, on the way to his impressive 40 points, began to work his way into an unstoppable offensive rhythm.
The final quarter was dramatic from start to finish, but inspired by the huge home crowd, Moycullen began to edge into the driving seat and held the lead for the closing five minutes.
Moycullen were in control of a four-point lead with under a minute to go when Cian Nihill hit two free throws. Despite giving up a soft foul and two free shots to Saints’ Emmet Donnelly, the home side remained two in front with possession with just 30 seconds remaining.
However a costly turnover gave Saints one last chance which veteran scorer Glover coolly scored to send the game into overtime.
In a five minute period it prodduced 31 points with Sullivan scoring the first nine Moycullen points in the period. Despite back-to-back three pointers from Saints’ Keith Anderson, Moycullen converted on nearly every offence in overtime, winning in the end, by nine points, 88 to 79.
“It was a fantastic game to be a part of,” said Moycullen centre Pat Sullivan. “What was most satisfying was when the pressure was on, we kept our heads and got baskets every time we needed one. Even after a few breaks went against us, we just kept at, kept believing in what we wanted to do.”
Moycullen: Pat Sullivan 40, Cian Nihill 16, Stephen Tummon 10, Salva Camps 9, Paul O’Brien 7, Sean Candon 2, James O’Brien 2, Nollaig Cunningham 2, Patrick Lyons, Dylan Costelloe, Ian Burke, Stephen O’Brien.
