Energywise Ireland Neptune see off champions while Bright St. Vincent’s battle back for first win of the season

Energywise Ireland Neptune inflicted a second straight defeat on defending Men’s Super League champions, Griffith College Éanna as they ran out 91-82 winners in Neptune Stadium on Monday afternoon, while Bright St. Vincent’s fought back from 20 points down to earn their first victory of the campaign at the expense of an EJ Sligo All-Stars outfit they beat 100-96 in Mercy College.

It proved a disappointing double-game weekend for Griffith College Éanna, with Friday night’s loss at home to Killester followed by a 91-82 road defeat at the hands of Energywise Ireland Neptune in Neptune Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Despite a promising opening quarter that saw them carve out a five-point lead, the defending champions were ground down by Pat Price’s side, thanks in no small measure to the 53-point total put up by Ar’mond Davis and Jahmal Wright.

The Dublin side had five players in double figures, including Sean Jenkins on 18 points, but that did not stop them slipping to 4 and 2 in the table, and leaving them six points adrift of unbeaten leaders, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors.

Bright St. Vincent’s produced a remarkable comeback from 20 points down almost midway through the second quarter to edge out EJ Sligo All-Stars 100-96 in Mercy College for what was their first win of the Men’s Super League season.

JaRon Thames and Samuel Henderson spearheaded this impressive recovery with a combined 56 points and 15 rebounds as they chased down Sligo, despite the huge 70 points that Jevonnie Scott, Jonathan Brown and John Carroll served up for the homeside.

“Our guys have shown a ridiculous amount of heart and fight over the past few games against the top talent of this league, so I’m glad that we came out with something to show for it in the win column” said Bright St. Vincent’s head coach, Carter Vance.

“We preach to our guys to never get too high or too low, and that mentality doesn’t change after a win or loss.

“We’re looking forward to being back in Glasnevin to prepare for the first round of cup play this weekend” he added.

That victory went a long way to soothing the pain of St. Vincent’s agonising 94-91 reversal away to Maree the previous night when a stunning three-point buzzer-beater by Jarett Haines clinched the hosts the spoils in University of Galway Kingfisher.

It took one period of overtime for Killester to eventually get the better of Flexachem KCYMS, as they emerged 97-91 winners in Clontarf.

Paul Dick, Isiah Dasher and Kason Harrell again fronted the Killester offence with a huge total of 77 points to see them past a tough test from a Flexachem side that had five players in double digits, including Jeffrey Okeke on 21.

A massive second-quarter performance that saw them outgun their opponents by 21 points, very much set the stage for UCD Marian’s 95-65 triumph over Dublin rivals, Templeogue in Nord Anglia.

Tanner Graham, Lovre Tvrdic and Jonathan Jean accounted for 31 of the 37 points that the Belfield side served up in that period, the three players emerging from this tie with a combined total of 53 that proved essential in addressing the game-high 32 points that Tavias Fagan put up for the hosts.

In Men’s Division One, ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers hit the afterburners in the second half to record a 99-81 victory over Mater Private Malaide in St. Mary’s Hall, extending, to four games, their perfect start to the season.

Titans BC also maintained their unbeaten start to the 2024/25 campaign with an 86-72 success against SETU Waterford Vikings in Coláiste Iognaid, Michael Hayes emerging with 27 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists for the Galway outfit.

Mikah Blackwell served up a game-high 36 points as Scotts Lakers Killarney ran out 81-72 winners over Limerick Sport Eagles in UL Arena, while Tipp Talons were left still searching for their first win of the season as they lost out 82-72 at home to Maigh Cuilinn.

In the two late Monday games in Men’s Division One, Killarney Cougars take on Limerick Celtics in Presentation Gym, while Drogheda Wolves welcome Joels Dublin Lions to Ballymakenny College.