Moycullen basketball host their last home game of this season’s Superleague on Saturday (8pm ) when Ulster Elks visit the NUIG Kingfisher Gym.
After a heartbreaking loss by two points away to UCD/Marian last weekend, Moycullen will be keen to grab the points in this final home fixture. Elks, after atune.
Moycullen will be buoyed by their performance, if not the result against UCD/Marian and, having won the first encounter in Belfast, they will want to give their fans a big performance in this final home appearance of a solid first season at Superleague level.
Last weekend Moycullen spent the majority of the game chasing an early 10-point deficit, but a superb performance from Puff Summers almost swung the game in Moycullen’s favour. With the last opportunity, Summers nearly made the shot, but the ball clipped the ring and with it Moycullen’s hopes.
Moycullen were dealt a blow on the eve of this contest with the news that American Nate Fritsch was taking up a contract in Palestine the following week and was unwilling to risk injury. Having been a key factor in turning around Moycullen’s season when he replaced Simon Harris, it was a big blow.
However Puff Summers gave the team the lift it needed. He hit nine of Moycullen’s first 11 points as they matched UCD Marian score for score. However, at the other end, Moycullen struggled with UCD Marian’s size, conceding the first 16 points in the paint as home team lead by five, 24-19.
By half time UCD Marian had stretched the lead to 46-36, but it was not until the final quarter that Moycullen managed to claw back the deficit.
Upping their defensive intensity, they denyed UCD every pass with Paul O’Brien battling manfully with UCD Marian’s big men. Summers led the comeback at the offensive, going eight for eight. With three minutes left, Moycullen had taken the lead, 74-73 and, despite the loss of Cian Nihill to foul trouble, they looked like they would go on to win the game. However, to UCD Marian’s credit, they dug deep to prevail by 81-79.
Moycullen: Puff Summers (34 ), Cian Nihill (17 ), Dylan Cunningham (7 ), John Cunningham (6 ), Garnett Griffin (6 ), Nollaig Cunningham (4 ), Michael Dowd (3 ), James Loughnane (2 ), Paul O’Brien, Stephen Tummon, Eoghan Maxwell. Coach: Enda Byrt.
