UCD Marian was ecstatic after the young Dublin side secured a place in the National Cup final for the first time in the clubs history following an 80-72 victory over Ulster Elks.

The Elks started well and led 20-7 at the end of the first quarter, but James and Conor Meany led the fightback. James Crowder pitched in with a three, as Marian took control. James and Meany continued their rampage in the fourth quarter, Meany taking his tally for the game to 25 points as Marian secured a historic win.

UCD Marian proved they came to play as Conor Meany nailed a three pointer seven seconds into play. However a stunned Ulster Elks regrouped and pressed on with an aggressive offensive set that quickly gave them the lead of three points. Scores came from Elks’ power forward Kevin Foley and Barry Drumm as they relentlessly drove to the basket for easy lay ups. Three minutes to play in the quarter and Elks led 12 – 7 with Kevin Foley hitting consecutive massive three pointers from long range. Elks’ sharp shooting was too much to handle for UCD as they ended the quarter with a 13 point deficit, 20 – 7.

The start of the second quarter saw UCD to net the first score but Ulster Elks’ Ben De La Cruz retaliated on the boards by pulling them down at both ends. With a power drive down the lane by Elks’ Gary Connolly, Ulster was able to maintain their lead with seven minutes left on the clock. UCD rallied back with a set of three pointers courtesy of Conor James and Conor Meany to bring the Dublin squad to within 13 points. Ulster Elks’ De La Cruz’s power moves forced UCD to switch to a zone to contain the big man and both sides traded spectacular baskets. However, UCD took advantage of Elks few moments of rushed offences and missed shots and brought their opponents’ lead to ten points by the half time buzzer, Elks 35 – UCD 25.

The start of the third quarter gave an indication that the half time dressing room talk was not a pretty one and saw UCD first off the mark with four points from James Crowder after some powerful post play. Team mate Barry Glover added to this by narrowing the gap with some superb play and scoring. Ulster Elks were clearly shook and attempted to collect themselves but UCD surged on with Niall Meany finishing a long full court pass for an open lay up to push the lead to four points. With a strong rebound and spectacular three point shot from Conor Meany of UCD, team mate Conor James supplied strong inside move to propel the Dublin side to take their first significant lead of the game. Elks failed to deal with the Marian offence clearly not recognising or respecting the fantastic shooting display UCD were putting on. UCD’s Conor Meany’s long range shot fell short but it was James Crowder who tapped it in for the final second of the buzzer to give them a four point advantage heading into the final quarter, 50 – 54.

UCD came out strong in the fourth quarter and Ulster Elks began to struggle on the offensive end. After UCD scored six unanswered points they took their points advantage to double digits, forcing Elks to take a time out. Ulster Elks’ Ben De La Cruz took matters into his own hands and with three minutes De La Cruz scored inside to bring the gap back to four points. Crowd support for UCD spurred the Dublin team forward creating scores from Cathal Finn, James and Barry Glover which extended the lead back to double digits. Ulster Elks attempted to find a scoring advantage but Kevin Foley sustained an injury in the third quarter and the star player was forced to sit out. Without Foley who had contributed so strongly throughout the game, the Elks’ looked to loose some confidence and clearly couldn’t convert on the offensive end. UCD held their defensive nerve as the final minutes counted down to make history for the club as they travel to their first-ever National Cup Final. The game finished 80-72.

"We are delighted," said Ryan. "We made some huge shots -- Dan James, what a game, he was out with the flu for three weeks, he was out injured for two weeks and he had exams, and now we virtually have a full team back."

UCD face fellow Dubliners Killester in the Final on January 30^th in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght. Yesterday, Killester played UL Eagles in a highly anticipated match as the two cross conference leaders clashed. In a surprisingly low scoring match, Killester emerged winners 67-56

Ulster Elks 72 (35)(B De La Cruz 23, K Foley 19, G Connolly 8) UCD Marian 80 (25)(C Meany 28, D James 25, J Crowder 10)