Dramatic overtime win for Blackstone

Blackstone matched up man-to-man on the visitors right from the start, hoping to deny the Tropics easy penetration to the basket. It was a good start for Blackstone with Forward Peter McNicholl opening the scoring for the home team, and Marty McDonald connecting with a shot from long-range.

McNicholl and talented rookie Michael Murray did a good job on the defensive boards as Blackstone defended with grit and aggression, while former-pro Guard Adam Murray attacked the Tropics aggressively at the other end, getting to free-throw line for four points in the opening quarter.

There was nothing to separate the two teams at the end of the first quarter, with Tropics holding a single-point advantage.

However, in the second quarter the visitors shot impressively, both from spot-up positions and off the dribble.

But in the half-court, Blackstone had less luck in finding the target. Chris Pangan made an immediate impact with a strong lay-up under pressure, but the foul-line became a major factor again, keeping the home side in the chase with McNicholl and both Murray brothers having trips to the line to score.

In the second half, Blackstone found more of an offensive rhythm, with Coach Hayes freeing his Guards up to play a looser game offensively. The tactic seemed to have an impact, as Blackstone capitalised on the foul-situation by driving hard to the key and drawing a high number of fouls and Blackstone totalled 11 points from the free-throw line.

In the final period the balance of the game began to shift. Murray, McNicholl and Brown were aggressive again under the boards and this vital retention of possession swung the game in Ballymena’s favour.

Blackstone pulled the game back with an outstanding 19-8 fourth quarter performance, and tied the game 82-82 at the final buzzer.

In over-time, Hayes stuck with his closing five of Murray, McNicholl, Brown and the McDonald brothers and kept a tough man-to-man defence in place. The home held the Tropics to five points in overtime, a three-pointer coming from a defiant Curtin near the end.

Both Marty McDonald and Peter McNicholl found their long-range shot when it mattered most, adding three points each to push Blackstone into a two-point lead. A final free-throw from McNicholl sealed the game to the delight of big home crowd.

SECONDS

Blackstone II 63, Limavady Lightning 44: Newcomers Limavady were always second best to the Blackstone in this contest at St Patrick’s last Thursday evening.

The opening quarter saw the breaking pace of Aaron Brown hurt the retreating Limavady defence. With 8 breaking points for Brown and a 3 pointer from Michael McDonald the Blackstone had stepped out to lead 19 – 9 at the close of the first.

In the second phase it was Sean McMahon who impressed for the home team. The lanky forward used his jumping power to make 6 points, going baseline twice to set in then lifting a rebound to set in. He used this power throughout the game to lift 16 rebounds an 13 points for the Blackstone.

In the background for the Blackstone the experience of Harry McGarry was a major factor. The veteran guard set play for the others and paced himself throughout the game to give others the score. He combined with another Blackstone old boy, Shane Craig to open a 33–20 lead. Craig was in accurate form from the top of the key shooting 4 points on the turn.

After the half the Blackstone let the pace slip in the third quarter only making 11 points as Limavady closed the gap.

With a 44 – 33 lead at the end of the third the Blackstone came out with their press and opened a 20 point gap. Paul Gillan stole twice to set in and McGarry made a baseline Jump shot to get to 50 points.

Scores from Michael McDonald on the three point line and David Hendron underneath closed out the game at 63–44.