Neptune stun Cork rivals UCC Demons in fourth quarter to secure impressive win
I BELIEVE I CAN FLY: Sam Smith, Neptune, slam dunks against UCC Demons. Pic: Jim Coughlan.
A stunning fourth quarter from Energywise Ireland Neptune ensured they gained a magnificent win over Cork rivals UCC Demons in a pulsating Domino’s Men’s Super League game before a capacity attendance at the Neptune stadium on Friday.
Demons looked in control for three quarters of the game, but Neptune inspired by man of the match Jalen Hodge (33pts) got the Blackpool outfit over the line after an epic encounter.
Demons got a massive start with a monstrous dunk from Asanti Price followed by a James beckom lay up in the opening minute.
To be fair Neptune stayed calm and Kendall Taylor responded with a deft jumper, but the home fans were in rapture when Sean McCarthy executed a basket and bonus.
It got better for Neptune when Jalen Hodge drained a three pointer in the third minute and when Sam Smith followed up with a basket they edged into a 10-6 lead.
Once again, the pendulum swung with Demons nailing three unanswered baskets as the crowd were certainly getting value for money.
In the opening eight minutes both teams used various rotations and when Eoin Nelson got in back door for an easy lay-up with a minute remaining the home side led by the minimum.
A James Hannigan long range three pointer gave Demons a two-point lead and Neptune should have tied it on the buzzer at the end of the quarter, but Smith’s attempted slammer rimmed with Demons leading 25-23.
On the restart the tempo increased, and Nelson was on hand for a basket that tied the game in the 12th minute.
After playing controlled basketball Demons resorted to some poor shooting and passing options but luckily many of the Neptune shots were not dropping in the opening three minutes.
Tala Fam, although not starting, played well when introduced in the fifth minute and his beautiful move to the hoop in the 14th minute put Demons into a two- point lead.
Hodge remained the go-to player for Neptune and surprisingly Demons were doing little to restrict his influence on the game.
Following a Hodge three pointer Demons responded with a stunning Beckom move to the hoop, a basket that gave them a three- point cushion with three minutes remaining to the interval.
In the next two minutes Demons carved open the Neptune defence with three quality baskets and with 1.30 remaining they had opened up an eight-point cushion with the home side immediately calling a time out.
The home side responded with a brace of McCarthy free throws, but Demons were still in command at break when leading by five points 51-46.
The half time stats made interesting reading with Neptune 13/22 (59%) inside the arc and 4/19 outside it giving them a paltry 21%.
Demons fared better inside the arc 16/21 (76%) but just like their great rivals they only made 5/16 outside that gave them a 31% rating.
On the restart a neat Price jumper gave Demons the perfect start, but Smith responded with a stunning three pointer.
For some strange reason both sides resorted to some poor shooting options but a basket from Tillman restored Demons three- point lead.
Consecutive three pointers from Hodge had the Neptune supporters in rapture but Demons responded with baskets from Price and Tillman that gave them a 62-60 lead midway through the quarter.
The game was now at fever pitch with both sides going for the jugular but with three minutes remaining Demons still had a three-point lead.
Demons lost Tillman when he committed his third foul but with Fam outstanding, they still managed to take a seven-point lead 76-69 into the fourth quarter.
Coming down the stretch both teams showed the same commitment exchanging baskets for long periods, but a late Neptune rally just about shaded this intriguing game.
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