Garvey’s Tralee Warriors lost 97-91 to NUIG Maree in the InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League.
Alan Cantwell reports
In an entertaining opening quarter the sides went score for score early with Aaron Calixte, Ron Elksnis and Nikolo Roso trading baskets with Eoghan Rockall, Luka Krajlic and a double from Deondre Jackson saw the teams level at 12-12. Calixte and a three from Darragh O’Hanlon edged the visitors ahead midway through the quarter but Rockall and Jackson fired in from distance to put Maree 20-15 up. Jackson was again on the mark from beyond the arc late on and when Paul Freeman opened his account the hosts led 25-23 at the first break.
An early second quarter run from the Warriors with two from Brandon Cotton and one each from Daniel Jokubaitis and Elksnis saw them take the lead back. It was short lived as Jeryn Lucas hit a three and Kraljic added to put the hosts 34-33 up. James Fernane entered the fray to hit a big three followed by another from O’Hanlon but a couple of costly turnovers by the Tralee side gifted easy scores to Kraljic, Jackson and Oriel Franch that had Maree back in front again. However, in the last action of the quarter Fernane had time to plant his feet and fire the Warriors back into a 44-42 lead at the long break.
The Warriors carried the momentum into the third and despite a three from John Burke for Maree, Elksnis, Roso and Calixte combined to push the visitors advantage out to 53-47. However, this would be the last time the Warriors would lead in the game as Maree stormed back into the lead with scores from Jackson, Franch, Tvrdic and Freeman. O’Hanlon was again in range from distance and when Cotton followed suit the Warriors were back within one. However a steal from Tvrdic saw him drive to the board and when Lucas had the final say in the quarter with a score from inside the Galway side took a 67-63 lead into the final quarter.
Ron Elksnis cut the gap with the opening score of the final quarter before Brandon Cotton fired in identical back to back threes but Maree sensed they had another big win in their sights as a double from Franch along with a three and another major score for Tvrdic saw their advantage grow to 6 midway through the quarter. Krajlic and Jackson continued to disrupt the Warriors offence with steals and turnovers and converting them into scores to put it up to the visitors as the clock ticked down.
O’Hanlon hit his fourth three of the night and cut the lead to a single score, but foul trouble was now also the enemy for Warriors and when Jackson, Rockall and Franch hit 6 from eight from the line the die was cast. Calixte managed two late scores and three from four from the line and the Warriors had all their three-point shooters in play in the dying moments, but it was too little too late as following their Cup win last week Maree bagged the precious League points by 97-91 in the end.
Top scorers: NUIG Maree: Deondre Jackson 26, Lovre Tvrdic 16, Eoghan Rockall 15
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Nikola Roso 18, Aaron Calixte 16, Darragh O’Hanlon 14
Next up for the Garvey’s Tralee Warriors is a home tie with Bright DCU Saints at the Tralee Sport Complex on Saturday next with tip off at 7.30pm.
Warriors Head Coach John Dowling says his side were not clinical enough but they come up against a side that had huge momentum after their Cup win against Templeogue last week
He says his side did not lack for effort in attempting to carve out a result but the focus now switches to the three upcoming games in Tralee
NUIG Maree Head Coach Charlie Crowley says he knew his side had to be at their best to get the better of the Warriors
He says the squad has a very strong work ethic with the import players leading but also learning from the local players
Team Garvey's St.Mary's Castleisland went down 86-57 to Waterford in the Missquote.ie Women's Superleague.
Liz Galwey reports
Top scorers:
Team Garvey's Lorraine Scanlon 18, Denise Dunlea 11, Rheanne O'Shea 7
Wildcats Rachel Thompson 28 Kate Hickey 17 Jaz Walker 10
In the InsureMyVan.ie Men’s National League Scotts Lakers St Pauls Killarney won 94-59 at Waterford Vikings.
Enda Walshe reports
