Maigh Cuilinn 74 (46)
Ulster University 76 (42)
Maigh Cuilinn’s Basketball Ireland National Cup dreams for this season were dashed at the death when Ulster University’s Jalen Hodge coolly netted two free throws with the score level and just 15 seconds on the clock.
The home side, playing in Leitir Móir’s Spórtlann Mhichael Mhóir, looked like they were going to answer with a leveler on the subsequent and final play when Patrick Lyons beat his man and made to the basket but his dump off pass to a waiting Grant Olsson was kicked out of play by a lunging Ulster leg. It left the Galway side with just two seconds on the clock to try and score from the resulting inbound and the best they could do was a long range three pointer from Aitor Perez which fell wide of the mark.
As heartbreaking and cruel of a loss as it was, there was perhaps some poetic justice in Maigh Cuilinn losing with a missed three pointer as the final attempt. The team shot a ghastly one from eleven in the second half from three point attempts, a statistic that will leave supporters wondering what could have been if their team had been even mildly accurate in what was a back and forth tussle where the margin between the teams was never any more than single digits and there were several lead changes throughout.
With the game on the line however, Ulster University had the hotter hand and while their 38 percent from beyond the arc was not exactly earth shattering, it crushed Maigh Cuilinn’s paltry nine percent.
On the positive side for Maigh Cuilinn, it was definitely one of their better all around performances of the season to date and there were good showings from Grant Olsson (16 points) and James Connaire (16 points) plus a nice spread of other scorers with Patrick Lyons, Ivan Basic, Antonio Calvente and Aitor Perez combining for 35 points between them.
Despite the long road trip south and then out west to Leitir Móir, it was Ulster who started fast, edging out to a quick nine point lead before a strong Maigh Cuilinn finish to the first quarter had them back to within two.
Maigh Cuilinn continued that good form in the second quarter and led at the half 46 to 42 but it was clear that there was never going to be much between two evenly matched sides for the remainder of the contest.
So it proved and ultimately it came down to the final few possessions with Ulster in fairness showing the greater calm and clarity when it mattered most to edge out what was a just about deserved win.
Now that Maigh Cuilinn are out of the cup, they can focus full attention on the league and they have a crucial home Superleague tie this Sunday at 3pm in Cappagh Sports Centre when they take on Killester of Dublin at 3pm.
Maigh Cuilinn Scorers: Grant Olsson (16), James Connaire (16), Ivan Basic (11), Aitor Perez (10), Antonio Calvente (9), Josiah Larracy (6), Patrick Lyons (5), Kyle Cunningham (1), Joseph Tummon, Dylan Cunningham