UCD SET FOR PLAY-OFF'S
9th Feb 2009
A decision by the UCD Sports Centre not to open because of adverse weather conditions early in the morning meant that the UCD-Marian V Shamrock Rovers Hoops game had to be transferred across the Liffey to the former Greendale Community School – with thanks to Mr Vinnie Greene of the Greendale facility.
The students, who looked tired after their Saturday night victory over Ulster Elks, and the Hoops team, who are fighting for their place in the play-offs, remained evenly matched throughout. UCD Marian won the first quarter by two, the second quarter was tied, 19 –19, giving a half time lead of 36 – 34 to the southsiders, although that quarter was significant for UCD in that two of their starters, Mike Parker and Conor James, were both sidelined with ankle injuries and played no further part in the game.
Hoops won the third quarter by a single point, 24 – 23 and as the game entered its final phase, the teams were still tied. Some good teamwork with two minutes to go opened up a three point lead for Marian. Robert Taylor, Hoops big American centre, was fouled and made one of his two free throws. 72 – 70. Two empty offenses for UCD and Eoin Chubb stepped up with an all-net three pointer with less than 30 seconds left to give Hoops a 73 – 72 lead. On the next offence, Luke McCrone, who had given an outstanding performance for Marian, was fouled. Two free throws. Both made. UCD now lead by one but Hoops have the ball. A good hustling defence produced a fumbled ball. Time out. UCD Ball with 9 seconds remaining. Hoops, on four team fouls, put Conor Meany on the line from the re-start. He made the first, The second lipped out. UCD led 75 – 73. Hoops star, Jonathan Reed, who score 30 invaluable points, was double teamed so Phil Taylor, who himself scored 12 points got off a final shot on the buzzer to try to tie the game. It hit the ring but was never going in.
UCD Marian, who have lost three games in over-time this year, scraped through
75 – 73 and have pretty well guaranteed second place in the Northern
Conference. Hoops still have a number of games to go to know if they
will be in the final March shake up.
A decision by the UCD Sports Centre not
to open because of adverse weather conditions early in the morning meant that
the UCD-Marian V Shamrock Rovers Hoops game had to be transferred across the
Liffey to the former Greendale Community School – with thanks to Mr Vinnie
Greene of the Greendale facility.
The students, who looked tired after their Saturday night victory over Ulster Elks, and the Hoops team, who are fighting for their place in the play-offs, remained evenly matched throughout. UCD Marian won the first quarter by two, the second quarter was tied, 19 –19, giving a half time lead of 36 – 34 to the southsiders, although that quarter was significant for UCD in that two of their starters, Mike Parker and Conor James, were both sidelined with ankle injuries and played no further part in the game.
Hoops won the third quarter by a single point, 24 – 23 and as the game entered its final phase, the teams were still tied. Some good teamwork with two minutes to go opened up a three point lead for Marian. Robert Taylor, Hoops big American centre, was fouled and made one of his two free throws. 72 – 70. Two empty offenses for UCD and Eoin Chubb stepped up with an all-net three pointer with less than 30 seconds left to give Hoops a 73 – 72 lead. On the next offence, Luke McCrone, who had given an outstanding performance for Marian, was fouled. Two free throws. Both made. UCD now lead by one but Hoops have the ball. A good hustling defence produced a fumbled ball. Time out. UCD Ball with 9 seconds remaining. Hoops, on four team fouls, put Conor Meany on the line from the re-start. He made the first, The second lipped out. UCD led 75 – 73. Hoops star, Jonathan Reed, who score 30 invaluable points, was double teamed so Phil Taylor, who himself scored 12 points got off a final shot on the buzzer to try to tie the game. It hit the ring but was never going in.
UCD Marian, who have lost three games in over-time this year, scraped through 75 – 73 and have pretty well guaranteed second place in the Northern Conference. Hoops still have a number of games to go to know if they will be in the final March shake up.