O’Brien strikes late as Neptune sink Demons
O’Brien took on all the responsibilities at the end of the game after point guard, Michael McGinn, had been fouled out. O’Brien himself was on four fouls but he added 10 points — four from the line — to his total of 17 when Neptune needed him most.
Trevoris Baker ended up the game’s top scorer with 33 points. He set the pace for the visitors with three early baskets. Demons fought back to lead 10-9 after four minutes but Richard Joyce hit them with a three-pointer and Baker came back with two baskets and one from the free throw line to give Neptune a six-point lead.
When David Murphy cut it to three points, Baker struck again with a big basket and another point from the line to leave the visitors 26-19 in front.
Jaroslav Muzik landed a three-pointer at the start of the second quarter as Demons struggled. Kevin Reddy hit them with a three-pointer and the deficit was eight points. All the time Demons coach Pat Price’s new signing Benita Flores was picking up baskets and deadly accurate from the free throw line. He would end up with 19 points at the end of the half and, by that time, Demons were back in front but not in control.
Baker levelled the scores on the resumption but Niall O’Reilly quickly restored the lead. Again Baker struck and Neptune had a one-point lead.
Flores came back with a basket and one from the line and Ahmad Smith added a basket for a four-point lead.
Just as it appeared the game might be drifting away from Neptune, Jaroslav Muzik landed a three-pointer under pressure, then picked himself off the floor to add the point from the line and the sides were level again.
Three points from Flores put Demons back in front, Baker and Cuffe exchanged baskets and then Baker had three points to level the game. Flores gave Demons the lead with one from the line but Richard Joyce popped a basket before Niall Murphy’s score left Demons leading 67-66 going into the final quarter.
A three pointer from Ahmed Smith put them four points up. Baker added another basket for Demons.
O’Brien cut the lead to six points and when McGinn added a point from the line, and Baker popped two baskets with six minutes remaining, there was just a point between the teams.
Kieran O’Brien put Neptune a point ahead before McGinn picked up his fifth foul. Gary Walsh was handed the point spot and O’Brien took control.
T. Baker 33 pts, K. O’Brien 17, R. Joyce 11.
B. Flores 29 pts, N. Murphy 14, A. Smith 13.
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