Basketball: BurgerKing the latest Tiger tamers

IT’S been a difficult week for ESB Superleague leaders, Tralee Tigers. Dumped out of the Cup by Neptune eight days ago, they also surrendered their unbeaten league record on Saturday as BurgerKing Limerick claimed a notable scalp with a 100-89 victory.

Though Russ Bradburd’s Kerry outfit still enjoy a comfortable advantage atop the southern conference, back to back losses will sow a seed of doubt in a previously perfect Superleague season.

In the northern conference, Hibernian UCD Marian missed the chance to replace MDS Star at the head of affairs, as the Belfast outfit snatched a 89-90 victory on the buzzer.

The manner of the loss was particularly aggravating for Marian. Leading by six points, with 12 seconds on the clock, the Dublin side looked set for the win, before two successive baskets, one a three-pointer, from the awesome Scott Summersgill and it was a one-point game.

With a second on the clock, Barry Glover was penalised for a travelling violation, sending Gareth Maguire to the line for two free shots. The reliable Maguire converted both.

BurgerKing Limerick’s win over Tralee was more comprehensive, taking control early with Randy Fletcher, Paul Freeman and Matthew Hall executing some great offensive options to lead 25-22 at the end of the first quarter.

Despite a hot hand from Tralee’s Brandon Mason, Limerick held their lead to the break (48-45) before Paul Freeman took control in the third quarter with 14 points.

The conference leaders rallied to make it a two point game but Limerick again stepped up the pace to ease away down the stretch.

In another Munster derby, Killarney’s Gleneagle Lakers got big games from Tyrone Levet and Dejan Smith to post a 100-78 victory over Waterford Crystal.

Waterford lacked presence inside without the height of Jeff Wiersma and trailed throughout the game, 25-19 at the end of the first quarter and down by 14-points at the break.

They were unable to threaten throughout the second half, and now Coach Michael Evans will be forced to re-evaluate his signing of Tony Atchison.

St Vincent’s were denied a home victory by Killester, losing Jermaine Turner to foul trouble in the third quarter and struggling in the fourth in his absence.

A superb performance, both offensively and defensively from Clyde Ellis (35 pts) allowed Killester a comfortable 94-74 victory.

University of Limerick retained emphatic control of the ESB women’s superleague, with a thumping 89-56 win over St Paul’s, Killarney, Michelle Aspel leading the way with 27 points.

Their nearest challengers, Bausch & Lomb Wildcats slipped up at home to XLR8 Autos Drimnagh, going down 92-83, and were joined on ten points (four behind UL) by Dart Killester, who eked out a thrilling 81-77 win over Vienna Woods Glanmire.

Killester were under the cosh from the tip-off, trailing 12-5 within minutes and behind 45-35 at the half.

Incredibly Glanmire stretched the lead to 23 points, before Killester fought back in the final quarter. The Dublin side levelled affairs with four minutes remaining, with an excellent performance from Sinead Vaughan keeping Killester in touch in the closing minutes.

With only 18 seconds on the clock, Killester led by 4, but two free throws from Donna Buckley made it a 2-point game. Suzanne Magure was fouled with less than a second on the clock, and confidently bagged the free throws to give Killester an 81-77 hard-fought win.