Galway teams defy the odds to win spots in cup semi-finals
NUIG Maree are through to the last four of the Pat Duffy Cup after a stunning finish to their quarter-final against UCD Marian on Saturday saw them concede an equalising 3-pointer with four seconds remaining, only to drain the winning basket with 1.2 seconds left on the clock to spark wild celebrations in the gym at Coláiste Bhaile Chlair in Claregalway.
That made it a double for NUIG, as earlier at the same venue, NUIG Mystics booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Women’s Division One cup when they ended the reign of defending champions, Portlaoise Panthers; but Moycullen’s long wait for a first win of the season continues after a battling performance in Kerry against Tralee Warriors came up short in the Pat Duffy Cup.
PAT DUFFY CUP
NUIG Maree 84
UCD Marian 82
There was a fittingly dramatic end to what was a thrilling cup match between two well-matched sides when Lovre Tvrdic drained the winning basket with just 1.2 seconds left on the clock to book his side’s place in the cup semi-finals weekend in Cork on January 8 & 9.
The visitors had clawed their way back into the game, having trailed by seven both at half-time, and at the end of the third quarter, but they were helped by a sloppy late play from the home side, who turned over possession from an offensive inbound under the Marian basket with 14 seconds remaining when leading 82-79.
The visitors worked their way up the court for Srdjan Stojanovic to hit what was unbelievably his ninth 3-pointer of the game to tie things up with four seconds remaining.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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