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| 8 Nov 2008 |
Neptune complete weekend double |
Neptune 68 - 61 DCU Saints
Game date: 11/8/2008 |
Ed Millerd powered his way to 21 points and Michael McGinn fast-breaked his way to 19 to pace Neptune in a 68 - 61 win over DCU Saints. McGinn started at a lightning pace, proving far too quick for DCU as he sprinted clear for 8 fast break points in the first quarter. Neptune lead 21 - 14 towards the end of the period, but deft inside finishing from David Donnelly helped Vincents back into it. Neptune's offense shut down in the second quarter though, as DCU's zone proved impossible to penetrate. Millerd repeatedly forced his way to the basket with strong drives, but his array of floaters and short bank shots just wouldn't fall. DCU used a lot of full court pressure and mixed it up with extending their zone to trap on the half way line, and it produced several soft lay-ups off Neptune turnovers. DCU seemed to be trapping just about everywhere, and the pressure continued to tell, helping them to a 31 - 40 lead at the half.
That 9 point advantage evaporated though, as Neptune pulled up to a 42 - 40 advantage in the first 3 minutes of the second half. The introduction of Paul Stapleton tightened up the defense and shored up Neptune's rebounding, and McGinn, Noonan and Millerd were able to get out on the break again and eat into the lead. DCU managed to steady the ship, but Neptune's speed down the floor remained a threat for the rest of the game.
The second half certainly was not a spectacle for a basketball purist, but featured plenty of hard work on both sides. DCU continued to try to trap and force turnovers, Neptune continued to try to run the ball and both teams struggled in half-court sets. Ed Millerd provided the only real threat for the home team as he found his range and the ones that had rimmed out earlier began to fall for him. It remained tight until midway through the fourth quarter, when Neptune's defense tightened further and they were able to nose in front by 6 to 8 points. Good free through shooting and keeping control of our own boards saw this one out.
The win moves Neptune up to 3 wins and 3 losses, in 4th in the South only because Limerick have played and lost one more game. A win in the next game against Hoops would drop Hoops back to 3 losses and keep the conference extremely tight. |
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