Ulster University 63 (39)
Maigh Cuilinn 65 (29)
Maigh Cuilinn rallied late to dig-out a much welcomed win versus hosts Ulster University at the Jordanstown Sports Village last Saturday on a final score of 63 to 65 in the Basketball Ireland Men’s Super League.
It is very difficult to pick up a win in the Men’s Super League when only scoring 65 points. However, on a night when the offense simply just wasn’t clicking, the Maigh Cuilinn men could rely on an outstanding, late-game defensive performance to get them over the line.
In what can probably be blamed by the long journey to Belfast, the opening quarter for Maigh Cuilinn can only be described as sluggish. At the end of the first period the scoreline read 21-15 to the hosts, and the Maigh Cuilinn men were perhaps mentally, still on the bus.
The lead only grew in the second quarter as the visitors still struggled to get into any sort of offensive rhythm, save for Ivan Basic and Joshiah Laracy. Ulster, having lost their key-player Jalen Hodge to an early injury, managed to keep applying the pressure, nailing outside shots and extending the lead to 10 at half-time.
At the half-time break, the message from Head Coach John Cunningham was simple. He urged the team to focus on one thing – PLAY QUICKER. Cunningham believed that part of the offensive struggles from the first-half was due to Maigh Cuilinn being slow to advance the ball, which gave UU time to set-up in their zone defence.
Coach Cunningham was right.
The third quarter saw Maigh Cuilinn really upping the pace of the game. Score or miss by UU, Maigh Cuilinn ran the ball back the other way. The ball moved quickly and unselfishly. The passes zipped in, out, left & right, forcing the zone defence to chase and work hard. Eventually, Maigh Cuilinn started to find the openings and with big 3-pointers from James Connaire, Josiah Laracy and Aitor Perez, the momentum had started to shift. Score at end of Q3: 52-46.
It’s true, basketball is a game of momentum swings, and unsurprisingly, as Maigh Cuilinn gained momentum in offense, so too did they on defence. They managed to hold UU to just 13 points in the third quarter.
Entering the 4th quarter, Ulster were understandably shaken. Maigh Cuilinn had found a new life and their grip on the game was beginning to tighten. To make matters worse, Maigh Cuilinn started by “releasing the hounds” Antonio Molina & Ivan Basic on the UU ball-handlers. The ball-handlers, (who were forced into that role after the Jalen Hodge injury earlier), were left to fend for themselves against the suffocating full-court pressure from Basic & Molina. Defensive pressure that would set the tone for Maigh Cuilinn for the remaining 10 minutes. (Maigh Cuilinn held Ulster University to just 11 points in the 4th quarter).
Maigh Cuilinn quickly put together a few stops and were able to reward their defense with some scores on the other end. The UU lead, which at one point was as large as 15, had vanished. With the gap finally closed, Maigh Cuilinn led by Josiah Laracy, Ivan Basic & James Connaire mde one final push and took the lead for themselves.
After a shaky start and what seemed like an age to find their rhythm, Maigh Cuilinn truly saved their best for last, with their 4th quarter performance being their strongest of the game. The Galway men netted 19 points and erupted with a cheer when the final buzzer sounded.
It must be highlighted that Maigh Cuilinn demonstrated a noticeable calmness and composure to close out the game. This may not have been seen in previous years and it speaks volumes to the development and maturity of this squad. This was a much needed win ahead of a key three game home stretch that could determine whether the team are in the playoffs or in a relegation situation at the end of the season.
Next up is a home game against current league champions Ballincollig on Sunday 4 February at 3pm in University of Galway Sports Arena.
Maigh Cuilinn Scorers: Josiah Laracey 21, Ivan Basic 14, James Connaire 8, Grant Olsson 7, Aitor Perez 7, Joseph Tummon 3, Antonio Molina 3, Patrick Lyons 2, Dylan Cunningham, Kyle Cunningham, Kevin Nugent