Turner inspires Killester
Killester continue their title defence with a 67-56 win over UL Eagles in a disappointing affair that failed toignite.
Despite a promising start, Eagles’ challenge faded early in the contest due in part to the dominance ofJermaine Turner.
The American hit them with the game high of 28 points with 11 defensive rebounds and three under the offensive boards. His performance was close to the perfect game on a day when baskets were at a premium.
Eagles’ coach, Mark Bernsen was left to watch in despair as promising shots came off the rim and wholehearted efforts from the likes of Ciarán White and Scott Kinevane went unrewarded.
Despite the margin of victory Killester coach, Mark Keenan, was a relieved man in the aftermath.
“Today it was all about getting the win.
“I thought we played some great ball at stages and that’s an extra bonus.
“We were never going to become a bad team overnight and I think we proved today against one of the other top teams in the league that when we get it right and our mind is right we can put it together.
“Our defence was good holding them to 56 points was not brilliant — 56 points will win a lot of games for you.”
Meanwhile UCD Marian came off what coach, Fran Ryan, described ‘a scary start’ to enjoy a 80-72 victory over Ulster Elks.
Elks, comprised predominantly of students from University of Ulster, Jordanstown, got off to a dream start. They led by three points after the opening five minutes, were 20-7 clear at the end of the first quarter and led 35-25 at half time.
Marian took the lead for the first time six minutes into the third quarter and went on to build on it with Dan James and Conor Meany dominating the boards.
Conor Meany ended up with 28 points and seven rebounds while James had 26 points.
Elks suffered a huge blow when Kevin Foley was forced off with an injury and his departure left young Ben De La Cruz with a huge taskunder the boards.
The American ended up with 21 points.
“We knew they would be a lot stronger than what their results had demonstrated,” UCD Marian coach, Fran Ryan, said.
“We didn’t expect to be so poor in the first quarter. It was scary. This is a young team and they have learned an awful lot about what they have in them because they won a game in a way I don’t think we should have.
“Kevin Foley going out injured was rough on them but I don’t think it influenced the outcome, to be perfectly honest.
“They were tremendous — they were absolutely fantastic. We were so lucky. We tried to approach this game in a very low key way. Last year with the experience of playing Killester was a very high key thing and I thinktoday we actually defused the pressure too much. There was nothing going on. It was scary. I think that was our lowest score in a quarter and a half for two years. The big change was the adjustment in our defence. It changed our entire game.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
