Marian ended its three game loosing streak by beating Elks for the third time this season. This was a confident win as this match was a preview to this weeks National Cup SemiFinal in Cork.

Elks got off to a good start with Foley and De La Cruz dominating inside and combining for 18 of Elks 23 points in the first quarter. However it wasn’t enough to give Elks the lead as they trailed by two after the first quarter. In the second quartet Marian started to pull away with great baskets from James Crowder and a trio of three pointers by Conor Meany. At half time Marian led 50 to 37.

In the second half Marian extended its lead thanks a series of basket from Barry Glover and by turning Elks turnover into easy baskets. By the end of the third quarter Marian had opened up a twenty point lead. The game would never get closer and Marian finished with a 90- 73 win. James Crowder finished the game with a triple double with 25pts 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Elks will be hoping to get their own back this weekend as the two teams meet again in the semi finals of the National Cup in the Maradyke Stadium, Cork . Elks should be boosted by the return of Barry Drumm who missed tonight’s game with an injury. Marian will be keeping a close eye on American Ben de la Cruz who finished Saturday night’s game with 25 and Irish Star Kevin Foley who finished with 27.

UCD Marian head coach Fran Ryan was pleased his side’s performance in preparation for the Cup. “We want to secure a quarter- final place in the play-offs and winning was terribly important in terms of that,” said Ryan. “We managed to shoot the ball very well and we were more patient.”

The other Semi-Final in the National Cup sees Southern Conference leaders; UL Eagles take on Northern Conference Leaders, Killester, in what is sure to be an exciting match up. The Mens Final takes place in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on Sunday 30^th January and if UCD Marian manages a win in Cork , this will be the first time in the clubs history that they have reached the National Cup final.