Star of the Sea put behind them a sickening defeat by Killester last Thursday night to reclaim a tenuous lead at the top of the basketball Superleague table with a 7674 win away to Blue Demons yesterday. The victory effectively ended any lingering hopes Demons might have held to challenge for the title, which now looks certain to be won by either Star or Waterford.
Because of the uneven distribution of matches played in the Superleague and a system which awards a point to teams who lose games, the most important statistic in judging the potential of title contenders at this point of the season is the number of games they have lost.
Although Waterford currently occupy only third place, they have suffered only three defeats compared to five defeats by Star.
Waterford ensured that they can determine their fate in the campaign by beating Dublin Bay Vikings 91-85 on Saturday night. Only when Eric Blair fouled out with four minutes remaining did Waterford look in any bother, but they had a lead large enough to win the game safely from the free throw line in the closing stages.
Star's victory over Demons in Belfast was partial revenge for their cup semi-final defeat against the Cork club just over a fortnight earlier.
On that occasion, Demons scored with a free throw in the last two seconds to win. Yesterday, it was Star who scored through Gareth Maguire with 10 seconds remaining to break the deadlock for the final time.
The match featured an emphatic return to form by veteran Javan Dupree, who came out of retirement only in mid-season. His 16 points and solid defensive rebounding were crucial elements in Star's victory, while Dion Wingfield scored 33 for Demons.
In another close game, Killester made it a good weekend's work on their home court in Clontarf by defeating 1997 champions Neptune 95-92 on Saturday, just two days after their win by the same margin over reigning title holders Star.
Killester should have won the match in normal time but missed five out of six free throws in the final minute, leaving Shawn Wilson the chance to send the match to overtime.
Neptune then looked like completing victory when they led by two points with 12 seconds remaining, only for Damon Shoultz to hit a three-pointer, followed by a pair of free throws from Mike Trimmer.
St Vincent's maintained their good run by coming from behind in the final six minutes to beat Killarney 84-78. The Kerry club failed to score from play in those closing minutes and added just one free throw as the Dubliners used strong defence to superb effect when it mattered.
Like St Vincent's, Notre Dame look like a team to watch in the end of season championship after their cup win a fortnight ago. They easily won the Dublin derby in the National Arena on Saturday, defeating Marian 99-85.
Limerick's campaign to claim one of the eight qualification berths for the championship suffered a setback when they lost 7264 at home to Sligo, while bottom club Tolka, playing with only one American, put up a fine performance in the circumstances before losing 94-87 in Dungannon.
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