An 81-66 Titans’ victory against Tolka Rovers on Saturday night was a welcome result for Galway’s Titans in the National League division one contest.
This year’s competition, reduced to 10 teams, promises to be close, but Titans can take many positives from their opening match.
With little more than two minutes remaining in the opening quarter, Titans hit the lead for the first time in the match and were never headed. Tolka beat Titans early in transition but this was stemmed with the introduction of Rimvydas Visockas whose pace sealed off this scoring option for Tolka.
Both sides suffered early season errors as a lack of accuracy and execution contributed to a muddled first two quarters. Paulius Peldzuis was strong off the dribble and penetrated well and combined with an improved defensive effort, led by Captain Jack Considine, who hit a three-pointer on the half time buzzer, helping Titans into a 40-33 half-time lead.
Titans showed greater control in the second half. Led by new arrival Sean Carroll, Titans gradually gained ascendency at both ends. Paul Freeman, joint top scorer with Peldzius on 19, began to dominate inside as Tolka struck foul trouble. Tolka managed to keep in touch through the sharp outside shooting of Ignacio (24 ), but Titans finished well to take the match 81-69.
Titans’ next match is a local derby with Maree.
