There were victories for three out of the four Galway teams on the opening weekend of action in the new National Basketball League season. Maree began their Men’s Super League campaign with a terrific win away to Templeogue on Saturday night in Dublin. Zvonimir Cutuk scored 16 seconds from time to take his tally to 32 points and clinch a dramatic 79-77 triumph in Nord Anglia School in Leopardstown. A huge haul of 57 points for Tavias Fagan and Immanuel Allen went a long way to helping Templeogue into a six-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but a combined 15 down the stretch by Cutuk and Joe Mvuezolo hauled Maree back for a thrilling victory.
Catalyst Fr. Mathews had effectively bagged the points by the half-time break in their Super League opener against the University of Galway Mystics on Saturday night, having carved out a massive 27-point lead on their way to a 96-57 victory in Fr. Mathews Arena. Kyra White spearheaded their attack with 25 points, while Niamh Dwyer also made a significant contribution of 18, as last season’s Paudie O’Connor National Cup finalists stormed to a comfortable win.
In Men’s National League Division One, Maigh Cuilinn ignited their bid for an immediate return to the top tier of Irish men’s basketball with an 82-75 victory at home to Limerick Sport Eagles, while Titans BC ran out 98-77 winners over Killarney Cougars in Ballinfoyle Castlegar Centre.
Men’s Super League
Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU 56-75 Griffith College Éanna
Belfast Star 87-96 Energywise Ireland Neptune
UCD Marian 64-75 Flexachem KCYMS
Templeogue 77-79 Maree
Killester 104-89 Bright St. Vincent’s
UCC Demons 80-93 Garvey’s Tralee Warriors
Women’s Super League
Ultility Trust St. Paul’s 65-98 FloMAX Liffey Celtics
Killester 83-79 SETU Waterford Wildcats
Catalyst Fr. Mathews 96-57 University of Galway Mystics
The Address UCC Glanmire 84-82 Trinity Meteors
Midland Park Portlaoise Panthers 90-71 Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell
Men’s Division One
Team NorthWest 88-78 Ulster University
Limerick Celtics 98-70 Tipp Talons
Mater Private Malahide 93-84 Carrick Cruisers
Moy Tolka Rovers 110-93 Drogheda Wolves
ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers 81-49 Joels Dublin Lions
Titans BC 98-77 Killarney Cougars
Maigh Cuilinn 82-75 Limerick Sport Eagles
