Demons' depth proves decisive as they see off Sligo and book another Cup final
GETTING THAT W: UCC Demons’ Patrick Robinson celebrates after the game. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Reigning champions UCC Demons stamped their ticket back to the Pat Duffy National Cup final with their squad depth earning a 14-point success over EJ Sligo All-Stars.
Their big names equally came up trumps with Patrick Robinson, Tobias Christensen, and Elijah Tillman scoring 23, 22, and 21 points respectively.
They can now target a third successful title defence and ninth overall crown when they take on Griffith College Éanna or Killester next Saturday at the National Basketball Arena.
This game was billed as the biggest in their 60-year history for semi-final debutants EJ Sligo All-Stars. Led by Jevonnie Scott (27) and John Carroll (23), they stayed in the fight into the fourth quarter until foul trouble caught up with them.
Sligo started without their other American star as Robert Montgomery was ruled out due to a groin injury, while captain Thomas Child played despite being visibly impeded by back pain.
They still jumped off to a solid start with the game’s opening six points, including a well-punished steal by Scott.
They had dropped 19 three-pointers to beat Demons in the League but it was the Leesiders who found their range quicker here. Having missed their first two attempts, they landed five of their next six with Robinson all alone to send them into a first lead; 10-9.
Carroll and Scott struck back with huge dunks to level at 16-all but another good omen for Demons was Tillman finding his range with a pair of step-back jumpers.
Demons continued to excel from outside the arc with Christensen converting three and Robinson adding another before Sligo called a timeout when trailing 27-20.
They worked the ball to the corner for Carroll and OisÃn O’Reilly to make big baskets, cutting the first-quarter deficit to four; 31-27.
Demons continued to score heavily into the second, reeling off the first 11 points with Tillman imposing his presence at the post.
They stretched their supremacy into a 16-2 streak with captain David Lehane, sporting a knee brace, netting a jumper while falling before punishing a technical foul against the Sligo bench from the free-throw line.
Sligo were almost wholly reliant on Scott’s free throws to keep them ticking over. Approaching the half, Child nailed a crucial three after a Kyle Hosford block but the captain immediately held his back in pain.
They trailed 59-46 at the break and further worries surrounded Carroll and Jonathan Brown landing themselves in early foul trouble.
Three calls went against each player and Ireland international Carroll quickly earned a fourth after the restart. He was soon joined on that mark by Demons captain Lehane as both exited the game for the moment.
Sligo did succeed in slowing Demons’ progress thereafter, led by Scott who clocked up their first nine of the quarter. When Child connected with another three, the deficit was back to eight; 65-57.
After a Sligo timeout, a Harry Gent bucket took another slice off the lead but he missed the plus one from the free-throw line.
Tillman came alive again for a pair of putback baskets to leave it 71-63 at the end of the third but he was withdrawn after picking up a fourth foul to begin the fourth.
As the play became frantic, Demons got their crowd going with back-to-back scores from Cork footballer Blake Murphy and Scott Hannigan. Their depth became telling as the quarter progressed.
Carroll was giving every last effort to keep Sligo alive with a spin move followed by a driving lay-up.
Scott and Child joined Carroll on the four-foul tightrope and Demons took advantage with Christensen and Robinson cashing in from free throws.
Carroll netted a lifeline three but Child was fouled out and Hosford padded out the final scoreline.
P Robinson (23), T Christensen (22), E Tillman (21).
J Scott (27), J Carroll (23), J Brown (8), T Child (8).
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