Derby delight for Moycullen in opening Superleague tie

Maree 59

The NUIG Kingfisher played host to the biggest fixture in Galway Basketball on Saturday, and it was the home side that got off to a winning start with Moycullen withstanding a late fightback by Maree to claim the early bragging rights.

Both clubs are known for having youthful rosters, but that is particularly the case this season, with a number of senior players having departed from both sides ahead of the new season.

It was Moycullen’s newest acquisition, American player Isaiah Harris-Winn, who had the hot hand in the first quarter, and he poured in 7 points before Maree had time to get started.

On defence, the home side also looked impressive, with Cian Nihill and Joseph Tummon putting Maree’s big-men on lockdown.

Eventually though, the game did settle, and Maree began to find scores. Late on, Nihill and rising star Paul Kelly found the basket for Moycullen, and they finished 20-14 ahead at the end of the first quarter.

Maree’s offense all but evaporated in the second quarter – the visitors registered only 7 points in the period – but Moycullen had no such problems. Harris-Winn continued to be a matchup nightmare for Maree, and behind his smooth ballhandling and sharpshooting, Moycullen amassed a 20-point lead by halftime, taking a 41-21 scoreline into the dressing room.

Maree continued to struggle for scores in the third quarter, but finally began to eat into the Moycullen late in the quarter with Stephen Commins knocking down five points, but Moycullen still took a comfortable 52-37 lead into the final quarter.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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