Not even the combined talents of two new foreign players and a rejuvenated Tom O'Sullivan could end the dismal run of reigning league champions Neptune, who lost 89-83 to fellow strugglers, Killarney, in Kerry on Saturday night to extend their losing streak to six in-a-row from the start of the season.
A promising 30-point debut by Cuban, Augusto Palacios, and 24 points from O'Sullivan kept Neptune in the game which went basket for basket until St Paul's pulled away to win in the last few minutes. Palacios was fouled out with just under three minutes remaining. The top of the superleague table remains the same, as Notre Dame powered their way to another easy victory, as they dismissed Tralee 109-83 on Saturday in Tallaght.
As has been the case all season, the scoring was evenly spread right down the Notre Dame bench. Randall Mounts, on 24 and Lennie McMillan, on 20, were their top marksmen.
Star of The Sea recovered from their defeat by Notre Dame a week ago to stay second in the table after a win at Dungannon on Saturday by 87 points to 77. John Leahy was the difference between the sides, with a personal tally of
37 points. Even without their injured American, Joseph McLean, Ballina beat Marian 81-77 in Killalla on Saturday. Liam McHale dominated the boards with Chris Doyal and scored 31 points.
Ballina move into a three-way tie for third place with Dungannon and St Vincent's, who both lost. St Vincent's lost the Dublin derby in Clontarf on Saturday night to Killester by 72 points to 68. The decisive basket, a three-pointer, came in the final minute from John Clancy.
Sligo remain the only unbeaten side in Division One; but they had to come from behind in the last three minutes to beat MSB 88-84.
Free throws in the final minute by brothers Pascal and Michael Bree won it for the home side.
In the women's superleague, Tolka Rovers defeated Meteors 70-69 to stay second with Naomh Mhuire, behind the leaders Wildcats. Two late free throws by Rachel Kelly put Tolka three points clear in the final minute. In reply, Meteors could only manage a very late two-point effort from Ciara Harvey which was not enough to catch Tolka.
