Sat 7 March
"20-point final quarter turnaround sees Star win big in Cork"By David Kelly, Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Star are enjoying a fine end to the season, delivering another stunning performance to defeat Neptune in Cork, 88-78. With only one game of the regular season to go, Star will now look ahead to the Champions Trophy with confidence after an incredible 20-point turnaround in the fourth quarter on Saturday night.
Star looked to have been in control of the match, but allowed the momentum to swing the way of Neptune who took a 10-point lead into the final quarter.
Star head coach Neal McCotter said: "I have said for a long time that this is the kind of thing we can do to teams when we click. To be down by 10 and then win by 10 was just great.
"We had three key players missing so that makes the win even more encouraging. In the fourth quarter we got our running game together and ran them ragged.
"I blame myself for some of the losses this season. It took me too long to find the winning formula for this team. We've finished sixth, but it could have been higher."
Keelan Cairns picked the right time to have his best performance of the season, chipping in with 20 points and numerous rebounds, while American Ricky Taylor had 26 and Neal's brother Brian - who had 10 points - also impressed with his all-round game.
"We have Swords next and it'd be nice to finish the regular season with a win to set us up for the Champions Trophy," said McCotter. BFG Neptune looked comfortable entering the final quarter when commanding a 10-point lead over Belfast Star but ended up losing 88-78 at Neptune Stadium.
Neptune player-coach Ger Noonan showed his disappointment as he reflected on his team’s latest defeat. “We were comfortable and suddenly our scoring dried up coming down the stretch with our intensity dropping and I am bitterly disappointed to have lost,” Noonan said.
Star Assistant coach Danny Fulton felt they came good at the right time. “It was a scrappy affair but once we got among Neptune in the fourth quarter I was always confident we would win,” Fulton said.
HT: Neptune 43 Star 45
For Star: Ricky Taylor 26, Keelan Cairns 20, Brian McCotter 9
For Neptune: M Bonaparte 29, I McLoughlin 19, Ger Noonan 11
"20-point final quarter turnaround sees Star win big in Cork"By David Kelly, Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Star are enjoying a fine end to the season, delivering another stunning performance to defeat Neptune in Cork, 88-78. With only one game of the regular season to go, Star will now look ahead to the Champions Trophy with confidence after an incredible 20-point turnaround in the fourth quarter on Saturday night.
Star looked to have been in control of the match, but allowed the momentum to swing the way of Neptune who took a 10-point lead into the final quarter.
Star head coach Neal McCotter said: "I have said for a long time that this is the kind of thing we can do to teams when we click. To be down by 10 and then win by 10 was just great.
"We had three key players missing so that makes the win even more encouraging. In the fourth quarter we got our running game together and ran them ragged.
"I blame myself for some of the losses this season. It took me too long to find the winning formula for this team. We've finished sixth, but it could have been higher."
Keelan Cairns picked the right time to have his best performance of the season, chipping in with 20 points and numerous rebounds, while American Ricky Taylor had 26 and Neal's brother Brian - who had 10 points - also impressed with his all-round game.
"We have Swords next and it'd be nice to finish the regular season with a win to set us up for the Champions Trophy," said McCotter. BFG Neptune looked comfortable entering the final quarter when commanding a 10-point lead over Belfast Star but ended up losing 88-78 at Neptune Stadium.
Neptune player-coach Ger Noonan showed his disappointment as he reflected on his team’s latest defeat. “We were comfortable and suddenly our scoring dried up coming down the stretch with our intensity dropping and I am bitterly disappointed to have lost,” Noonan said.
Star Assistant coach Danny Fulton felt they came good at the right time. “It was a scrappy affair but once we got among Neptune in the fourth quarter I was always confident we would win,” Fulton said.
HT: Neptune 43 Star 45
For Star: Ricky Taylor 26, Keelan Cairns 20, Brian McCotter 9
For Neptune: M Bonaparte 29, I McLoughlin 19, Ger Noonan 11
