Wound-up Demons blitz Neptune in refixture

The tension in the arena was incredible but Demons put on an exhibition of basketball

UCC Demons' Patrick Robinson lays up a basket against Energywise Ireland Neptune during the Men's Super League quarter final replay at the Mardyke Arena. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Men's Super League playoff: UCC Demons 110 Energywise Ireland Neptune 91 

A terrific exhibition of basketball from UCC Demons saw them brush aside Neptune with relative ease in the Men’s Super League quarter final refixture at the Mardyke Arena on Sunday.

Demons completely dominated in the second half, looking a wounded and wound-up side following the decision of the NCL to allow a replay to this game that Demons had won 100-93 a week ago.

There were many heroes for the winners but their American duo of Patrick Robinson (30) and Elijah Tillman (25) did very well with team captain David Lehane finishing with 20 points.

Toby Christensen gave Demons an early lead with a baseline jumper before three pointers from James Hannigan and Elijah Tillman saw Demons surge into a 10-0 lead.

A much-needed Neptune timeout was called and the response was immediate when Hunter made a lay-up and bonus.

The tension in the arena was incredible and gradually the scoring dried up but a Lehane three-pointer outside the arc in the sixth minute gave Demons a nine-point advantage.

The visitors responded with consecutive baskets before Blake Murphy nailed a three pointer that eased the pressure on Demons.

In a late rally Neptune reduced the deficit to two points 23-21 before Hosford nailed a brace of free throws that gave Demons a four-point lead entering the second quarter.

On the restart Jaksa Sola got in backdoor for an unchallenged lay up as Demons defence looked all at sea.

Both sides were scoring with relative ease, but Demons got a run that saw them extend their lead to seven points, 34-27, in the 14th minute.

On each occasion Demons looked to be getting on top Neptune responded and a Fields basket reduced the deficit to three points with 3.02 remaining.

Turnovers were costing Demons and when Hosford carelessly lost the ball Nil Sabata produced a wonderful slammer that brought the score to 44-42.

Both sides continued to trade baskets and when the electric Robinson went coast to coast for a bonus it increased Demons' lead to eight.

It was 54-46 at the break, with neither team at their best. Tillman got Demons up and running up with an easy tip followed by a Christensen basket as the lead was extended to 12.

Demons had the next three baskets as the lead was suddenly 18 points in the 23rd minute. Neptune couldn’t guard the physical presence of Tillman at the post and with Lehane in superb shooting form Demons surged into a 23- point lead with three minutes remaining in the quarter.

Demons coach Danny O’Mahony brought his big guns. Sabata opened the fourth with a Neptune basket, but it was downhill all the way for the remainder of this period as Demons blitzed them with champagne basketball to set up Thursday’s semi-final against Tralee Warriors at the Mardyke Arena (7.30pm) 

Scorers for UCC Demons: P Robinson 30, E Tillman 25, T Christensen 18.

Energywise Ireland Neptune: C Hunter 43, N Sabata 15, D O’Sullivan 10, R Downey 7.

UCC DEMONS: S Hannigan, B Murphy, T Christensen, P Robinson, J Hannigan, D Lehane, E Spudis, K Hosford, C Looney, D Cuff, E Tillman.

ENERGYWISE IRELAND NEPTUNE: D O’Sullivan, C Leahy, C Leahy, T Fields, D Aluko, A Heaphy, D O’Rourke, N Sabata, C Heaphy, J Sola, C Hunter, S Noonan.

Referees: M Nazimek (Dublin). E Perry (Dublin), J Lavin (Dublin).