Basketball: “When you are on four losses every win is important.”

MARDYKE UCC Demons salvaged some southern Superleague pride with a 22-point blitz of Hibernian UCD Marian (97-75), on a weekend when cross-conferences bragging rights went north.

In total contrast to the first cross-conference weekend when southern sides reigned supreme, Dublin's Dart Killester out-gunned defending champions Neptune of Cork (83-79), Star beat visiting Gleneagle Lakers (93-84), Waterford Crystal were overwhelmed by St. Vincent's 103-74 and BurgerKing Limerick suffered a two point defeat by Shamrock Rovers at UL.

Indeed, at one stage yesterday, it looked as if Hibernian UCD Marian would make it a northern conference sweep at the Mardyke Arena in Cork, as UCC Demons relinquished a 10 point half time lead to trail by one midway through the third quarter.

However, Marc Michiels, with a huge three pointer, top-scoring Torrey Butler and Alai Nuualiitia salvaged a crucial win for the home side with a last quarter tour de force.

Though Demons coach Pat Price was without the injured Brian Clernon, he rotated his squad wisely, with Jason Barry coming in for the off-form Shane Coughlan, with Sean Carroll and Tim O'Halloran also making an impact.

Butler stamped his class with a game high 33 points, but Nuualiitia was a revelation on defence, and managed 19 points.

Michiels hit seven three-pointers one from almost halfway to highlight his contribution to the game.

Demons wiped out an early Marian lead to go six points up at the end of the first quarter and, thanks to bustling Butler, they surged clear to lead by 10 points, 48-38, at half time.

Marian got off to a flyer in the second half and had the deficit down to two points before Michiels hit them with a steadying three pointer.

However, when Gary Edge coolly landed a three pointer it was a two point game.

McFarland landed a three pointer and Marian led by one.

Butler restored the Demons' lead and when Michiels landed two three-pointers the home side were coasting again seven points clear at the end of the third quarter and then came a devastating finish from Michiels, landing six from the free throw line, another three pointer and two more baskets.

Apart from McFarland and Glover, Cedric Peoples, with 10 points and Kevin Meaney with 11, were the main contributers to the Marian total.

"You have to be pleased. When you are on four losses every win is important," Price reflected.

"We have big games coming up against Waterford next Sunday and then St. Vincent's in the Cup a week later so it will be business as usual over the festive period."

Killester are top of the northern conference, finishing the week as they started it with a victory over one of their main Superleague rivals.

"It was the best game I have seen all year," Killester coach, Mark Ingle said of their 83-79 win over Neptune. It was tough basketball we played tough and they played tough and the fans really enjoyed it. Kenny

Gamble was outstanding for Neptune. He hit seven for seven from the three point line in the first half before he cooled down a little in the second.

"We got on top in the fourth quarter and went 12 points up but they came back at us, tied it up and it could have gone either way at the finish."

Killester led 26-23 at the end of the first quarter but Neptune hit back to lead 45-41 at half time.

Gerry Fitzpatrick told me afterwards it was the best defence he saw all season and that was a compliment coming from him," said Mark Ingle.

After trailing by 15 points midway through the first quarter, Shamrock Rovers came back in the second quarter to draw level and go into a 10 point lead against BurgerKing but, in the end, they were happy with two points to spare as time ran out for the Limerick side in yesterday's clash at UL.