Basketball Ireland Mens Development League Round 5
Maree 72
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 81
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors extended their winning run in the Development League to five wins from five after they overcame a resilient Maree side at Kingfisher Arena at NUIG yesterday. The Warriors led throughout but Maree stayed within striking distance and the Tralee side were made to play all the way to the final buzzer.
The Warriors got off to their customary fast start and built a considerable first quarter lead after James Fernane opened the scoring from beyond the arc. Dan Bowler with a double and three scores from Josh Osayanrhion saw the visitors 17-7 up midway through the quarter. Maree replied through Jake Morris, Daniel Oyeleye and Evan O’Rourke but Aaron Fleming and Steven Bowler struck for a three each to give the Warriors a 24-11 lead at quarter time.
Padraig Fleming chose the start of the second quarter to unleash a personal volley of 9 points from inside, outside and free throws to keep the pressure on the hosts but Oleyele, Morris and Cillian Cannon combined to cut the gap back to 33-25. However Osayanrhion and Adam O’Keeffe both hit nothing but net from outside to put 14 between the teams. The Warriors maintained that lead to the half time break despite scores from Oyeleye and former St. Brendan’s player Mikey McCarthy for the hosts with both Osayanrhion and Steven Bowler in range and another three from Fernane sealed a 48-37 half time lead.
The sides went score for score and point for point in the third with James Fernane again on target from distance and Dan Bowler, Padraig Fleming and Zigi Kaletka combining to ease the Warriors 18 points ahead. However Maree finished the quarter in style with O’Rourke sparking a response and Oyeleye and a quick double from beyond the arc from Joseph Keane cutting the visitors advantage back to 63-52 at three quarter time.
Maree made further inroads into the Warriors lead early in the fourth through Morris, Oyeleye and Cannon but the Bowler brothers Dan and Steve added to keep the gap intact. James Fernane then took aim to land his fourth major of the game, and after Osayanrhion stepped back to convert from inside, Fernane hit his fifth of the contest to keep double digits between the teams. McCarthy and Oyeleye pared the Warriors advantage down to just 7 points with time running out but Zigi Kaletka nailed two clutch free throws to secure the 81-72 win in the end.
Scorers:
Maree: Daniel Oyeleye 28, Jake Morris 14, Evan O’Rourke 8
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Josh Osayanrhion 18, James Fernane 17, Dan Bowler 13