Burke-inspired Irish beat Slovaks

Dublin-born NBA star Pat Burke helped Ireland's men team stay in the hunt for European championship qualification by top-scoring in tonight's 82-68 Division B win over the Slovak Republic.

The 31-year-old, who recently signed for the Phoenix Suns, chipped in with 23 points at Tallaght's National Arena to cross off Gerry Fitzpatrick's side's midweek loss in Switzerland.

The Irish needed at least a 13-point win to top Group B and set up a play-off with Group A winners Denmark (away (Sept 17) and home (Sept 24)) for qualification to Europe's top 16.

They trailed 20-15 to the Slovaks at the end of the first quarter but a brace of three-pointers from guard Jay Larranaga helped them back in front - 39-35 - by half-time.

Decisively, Fitzpatrick's side bossed the third quarter, winning it 28-10 and they kept the visitors to 23 points in the final quarter to hold on to their advantage.

While Burke top-scored, New York-born forward Jim Moran, who qualifies for Ireland by virtue of his Mayo grandparents, impressed by making four out of five three-point attempts.