University of Galway Maree maintained their unbeaten start to the new season with an emphatic 90-64 win over defending league and cup champions Garvey's Tralee Warriors.
Only themselves and Colin O'Reilly's Neptune side, which lost both the cup and league play-off finals to Tralee earlier this year, remain perfect with 3-0 records.
Maree's victory as made even sweeter when they came up against former player, American guard Deondre Jackson, who led their scoring last season. Unsurprisingly, he and Lithuanian guard Daniel Jokubaitis were the visitors' two best players on this occasion, combining for 35 points.
However it was Charlie Crowley's side that settled quicker after a scrappy opening, and as confidence grew and sloppy turnovers helped them too. It didn't seem like the turning point at the time, but Jarett Haines beat Jackson off the dribble as the shot clock ticked down at 11-7 in the first quarter.
His marauding presence in the paint caused panic, subsequently kicking it out to Eoin Rockall who had to heave an audacious three-pointer before time expired.He did so, watching as it flew in before multiple Tralee players cried foul. After review it was awarded, and they soon charged ahead.
Rodrigo Gomez scored the first of his 20 points after showing anticipation and speed to snatch Darragh O'Hanlon's attempted pass, flushing it with a dunk seconds later in transition. The second and third quarters were closer by scoreline (23-18, 20-19 ) but the damage had been done. Only a fourth quarter collapse would stop the hosts from earning a memorable win, but they got better down the stretch with eight points from Cathal Finn off the bench helping them run away with sweet success.
Mvuezolo finished with 22 and Rockall had double digits for the first time this season. After two games on home turf at Kingfisher, Maree travel to Cork with a Sunday clash against UCC Blue Demons – who won their first match of the season at home at Moycullen's expense. Tala Fam Thiam and Jeremiah Moore combined for 48 points in their 85-60 victory, and it will be interesting to see how they fare against UG Maree, who cannot afford to rest on their laurels.
Scorers for University of Galway Maree : Joe Junior Mvuezolo 22, Rodrigo Gomez 20, Eoin Rockall 15, Jarett Haines 13, Cathal Finn 8, Paul Freeman 6, Zach Light 3, Zvonimir Cutuk 3.
