After the disappointment of the previous week’s defeat to Ulster Elks, there was an improved showing from Moycullen away to DCU Saints at the weekend.
Despite losing 78-68, the team competed well, trailing by just five at the break and, despite falling behind by 17 in the third, battling back to within 10 in the fourth quarter. The performance sets the team up for a real shot at a victory next weekend when they face Belfast Star at home in the Kingfisher NUIG at 8pm on Saturday night.
On Sunday James Loughnane set the tone early for Moycullen, hitting their first five points. Dylan Cunningham was also in impressive form at the offensive end, chipping in with six. On the other side, James Donnelly hit the first four points for DCU, a sign of things to come as Moycullen could never really get a handle on him throughout the contest. Rebounding was a big problem in that first quarter as DCU picked up seven offensive boards, helping them into a 17-13 lead.
Donnelly continued to hurt Moycullen with his sharp cuts, but they did a better job of shoring up the boards which led to some fast-break scores. Five different players shared Moycullen's first five baskets of the quarter as the teams went score for score.
The third quarter saw DCU up their intensity, while Moycullen's scoring woes continued and they were unable to match DCU's productivity. Moycullen could get no consistent scoring and fell behind by a further eight points. A late three-pointer from Paul O'Brien gave Moycullen some hope, but they still trailed 59-44 at the quarter's end.
Moycullen, eventually, found a combination that managed to get some offence going. Dylan Cunningham knocked down a pair of threes and Mindaugus got two trademark lay-ups as they set about reducing the deficit. Paul O'Brien had his best showing of the season and briefly an unlikely comeback looked on. However DCU's overall scoring balance saw them contain the Moycullen rally and match the scoring, with the final deficit of 10 a fair reflection of the game.
Moycullen: Dylan Cunningham(16 ), James Loughnane(12 ), Mason Ambler(11 ), Paul O'Brien(10 ), Mindaugus Kurcenkovas(8 ), Mike Dowd(5 ), Stephen Tummon(4 ), Nollaig Cunningham(2 ), Eoghan Maxwell, James O'Brien, Gerald Lyons. Coach, Enda Byrt.
DCU Saints: James Donnelly(20 ), Martin Provisors(18 ), Pat Glover(12 ), Pat Crean(12 ), Emmet Donnelly(7 ), Kev Lacey(5 ), Eoin Darling(2 ), Mike Lacey(2 ), Mike Chubb. Coach: Vinnie O'Keeffe.
