Eoin Rockall's 23 points helped University of Galway Maree return to winning ways, while inflicting league-leaders Energywise Ireland Neptune's first loss of the Superleague campaign.
Skipper Rockall drained a necessary game-high six three-pointers to secure the win. Although Maree led by 18 in the fourth, the visitors never relented, but not enough to deny UG Galway an 89-83 win.
The visitors' Jordan Blount, Roy Downey and Jordan Evans kept their side in contention - Blount leading the game with 29 points in 38 minutes, but had he been more efficient from the free-throw line, the result could have been different.
Neptune narrowly edged the first quarter. After Rockall had opened the scoring, Evans raced away to score five straight points. Joe-Junior Mvuezolo was, predictably,at the heart of things for the hosts, while Adam Heaphy was a force at both ends of the floor for Neptune - scoring at one end, fouling on the other.
Jarett Haines scored consecutive two-pointers to put them 17-14 ahead after Rockall hit their first triple. Blount converted before both teams' free-throw struggles arrived. However, Keonn Scott's three-pointer gave Neptune a slender advantage heading into the second quarter, but it was one they would not maintain. Blount was called for an early technical foul, converted by Cathal Finn to level the scoring, Rockall drained another three, while Zvonimir Cutuk, Haines, Finn and Burke helped the hosts pull ahead with a four-point lead at the break.
Gomez to start the second-half with a three-pointer of the evening, but consecutive Roy Downey triples cut the lead to one. Gomez and Blount traded baskets, Haines made both his free-throws after a Downey foul in transition, before another successful Blount shot and free throw, ensured the teams were tied 48-apiece.
However Rockall mantained the home side's momentum with his third and fourth triples of the evening, and he again punished the visitors as UG Maree led by eight heading into the final 10 minutes. Although UG Maree had their nervy moments, they saw out the contest with a deserved victory. With a break from league action, Moycullen face Killorglin in the first round of the Pat Duffy Men's National Cup next Saturday.
University of Galway Maree: Eoin Rockall, Rodrigo Gomez, Jarett Haines, Joe-Junior Mvuezolo, Zvonimir Cutuk. Bench: Cathal Finn, Ben Burke, John Burke, Malik Thiam, Paul Freeman, Matthew Sweeney, Stephen Commins.
Energywise Neptune: Roy Downey, Adam Heaphy, Cian Heaphy, Jordan Evans, Jordan Blount. Bench: Gary Walsh, Caleb Leahy, Kevin Garcia, Kelvin O'Donoghue, Nil Sabata, Keonn Scott, Xabier Arriaga.
