EJ’s Sligo All-Stars warmed up for next Saturday’s President’s Cup final against Neptune in Tallaght with a comprehensive defeat of Cork side Fr Mathews in front of another big crowd at the Mercy College Sports Centre on Saturday.
Shane O’Meara’s side bounced back from a frustrating one-point defeat to Dublin Lions in the Basketball Ireland Men’s Division One last weekend to lead from start to finish and claim the points.
The home side, still minus GAA stars Cian Lally and Aidan O’Shea because of injury, were 18 points up by the end of the first quarter, leading 38-20, and stretched that out to a 27-point advantage by the half-time buzzer, 59-32.
The pattern continued upon the restart, and the All-Stars were 32 points clear by the end of the third quarter, 88 to 56, before the Cork side rallied in the final quarter to reduce the deficit back to 26 points by the end, 98 to 72.
Kaylim Noel photographed by Jordan Cummins.
American Kaylim Noel (above) top-scored for the winners with 25 points, followed closely by Drumcliffe youngster Oisin O’Reilly, who landed 24. Philip Hamilton also chipped in with 13.
Fr Mathews were best served by Paul O’Driscoll, who hit 15 points, while Owen Connelly hit 12.
Basketball Ireland Men’s Division One
Dublin Lions 65-103 BFG Neptune
Maree 71-69 Team Kilkenny
LYIT Donegal 68-66 ITC Basketball
Titans 90-97 Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin
EJ Sligo All-Stars 98-72 Fr Mathews
Ulster University Elks 94-86 Kestrels
