UCD Marian had a disappointing loss to Southern Conference team, UCC Demons on Monday in a tight game played in front of a good attendance in the Mardyke Arena.

UCC Demons closed in on second position and overcame UCD Marian 80-69 in what was UCDs lowest scoring games of the season. This is a worrying result as the National Cup semi-final moves closer. However semi-final opponents, Ulster Elks also had a disappointing loss to the other Cork team, Neptune on Sunday. In an interesting league fixture, Marian play Elks next weekend in what is sure to be an exciting match up and will see each team attempt to stamp their authority in preparation for the cup.

It was quiet and low scoring opening qtr with both sides slow out of the block as the score after 3 mins of play was 2-0 to UCD. Both sides relied on long range shooting in the opening qtr and when Shane Duggan hit a three with 3 mins remaining Demons led 12-10. Score’s from Connor & Niall Meany kept UCD in touch as they cut the deficit to 3 at the end of the 1^st to trail Demons 19-16.  

The pace increased in the 2^nd qtr with both teams now finding their outside range with Demons going into a 6 point lead through scores from Van, Duggan and Coughlan, UCD never panicked and came right back at Demons with good scores coming from the Meany brothers and James Crowder and lead by 2 with 1.45 remaining in the 2^nd qtr. It was Demons who finished the stronger as Shane Coughlan hit a big three followed by a nice drive to the basket and when Niall Murphy hit the final score of the half Demons again wet into 5 point lead to finish 37-32 up at the end of the 2^nd.

It was UCD who upped the tempo at the start of the 3^rd to cut Demons lead down to one after only 4 mins of play but Demons responded with scores from Duggan and Kyle Hosford to regain control and in the final 5 mins of this qtr Demons outscored their opponents at ease to lead by 17 entering the final qtr 62-45 ahead.

When Shane Coughlan hit his 2^nd three of the games Demons eased into a 20point lead and looked in total control with 7 mins remaining. Demons seemed to take their foot off the gas as they allowed UCD close the gap to 11and allowing their American James Crowder 4 threes in the closing mins. Demons never looked like losing as they finished out the game to win on a scoreline of 80-69

“There is no question about it that we have had two big wins” said Demons’ Head Coach Paul Kelleher.

“We really spread out the scoring and when someone has a bad day, someone else is stepping up to score the big baskets”.

“We have business to take care of against Moycullen [next weekend’s match up] and we must stay disciplined as they will be gunning for us”.