Third quarter struggles continue for Moycullen's basketballers

UCD Marian 82Moycullen 67

MOYCULLEN basketballers fell just short again in the Nivea for Men Superleague, losing 82-67 in an exciting encounter at UCD Marian. This was Moycullen’s final chance to gain ground in the Southern Conference before Christmas.

However, UCD’s superior scoring power and experience helped them capitalise on some third quarter errors by the visitors. Moycullen will now have to wait until January 2 to get back on track when they travel to UCC Demons in Cork.

The Galway men went in to the game in Dublin hopeful for a win after some missed opportunities of late. Bitterly disappointed after a tough loss the previous week, they were not short of motivation. The first quarter was a lively affair, with both teams scoring freely.

Moycullen were effective, getting the ball to their principal scorers early in the offence with Nihill, Cunnigham and American, Luke Enos all contributing to a high-scoring quarter. The entry of James Loughnane to proceedings gave Moycullen an extra spark, pushing the ball quickly up the floor and putting UCD point guard Cathal Finn under pressure.

However, while Moycullen were successful on the offensive end, UCD were responding in kind. Six foot eight’ American import, Daniel Stith, was particularly effective, bossing the offensive boards and scoring 16 points in the first-half. With both sides exchanging baskets, it was UCD who went in ahead at the interval with a slender two point lead.

The, often vital, third quarter has been an area of concern for Moycullen, after some lethargic second-half starts cost them dearly in recent weeks. However, any evidence of reform was lacking as it was UCD who started the second half with energy and purpose.

Some effective defensive pressure prevented Moycullen from getting the easy scores that had permeated the first half. Meanwhile, sloppy defence saw them concede easy baskets to a rampant UCD offence. Suddenly, only three minutes into the third quarter, Moycullen were down 12 points.

After this dreadful period, Moycullen were forced to chase the game. Some intense defensive pressure from point guards Dowd and Loughnane saw Moycullen regain some ground towards the end of the third quarter.

However, UCD’s ability to find their primary scorers, Stith and Meany, kept the scoreboard ticking over for the cup champions. During the fourth quarter, UCD managed to maintain their distance as Moycullen never found the necessary offensive rhythm or defensive stops to get back into the game. In the end, the game slipped away from them and UCD ran out 15 point victors.

Ultimately, it was a disappointing day for Moycullen, as they failed to learn from the mistakes of previous weeks. Stifled and stagnant offence, matched with poor concentration on defence has cost them in the last three games. Captain Mike Dowd picked up on this saying: “I feel like we are well able to match any team in the league, but unless we can weather these third quarter storms we won’t win these crucial games.”

Moycullen: L. Enos (26), C. Nihill (18), D. Cunningham (8), J. Loughnane (6), P. O’Brien (6), M. Dowd (3), E. Maxwell, N. Cunningham, P. Lyons, D. Costelloe, K. Folan. I. Burke.