Patrick Robinson on fire as Demons brush aside Killorglin in Mardyke
Demon's Patrick Robinson drives past KCYMS Beni Fungula.
A 29 point tally from UCC Demons new American signing Patrick Robinson ensured his team secured a crucial win over Flexachem Killorglin in a thrilling Men’s Super League clash at the Mardyke Arena.
Robinson was simply awesome finishing as MVP and his display coming down the stretch was right from the top drawer.
A slammer from Elijah Tillman gave Demons the perfect start in their opening possession with Robinson following up with a brace of free throws.
Amazingly Killorglin who are a shooting team blitzed Demons with a flurry of three pointers that saw them surge into a 20-14 lead before Demons decided to call a time out in the sixth minute.
Credit to the former Neptune ace Jordan Blount, he nailed three superb shots outside the arc as Demons at last changed up their defence on the restart.
Gradually Demons got back to level pegging in the final minute mainly due to Tillman getting more assists at the post.
Robinson made a magical move in the final possession that edged Demons into a 26-25 entering the second quarter.
On the restart both teams continued to shoot the ball with precision but Demons, with the exception of Robinson, were shooting the ball inaccurately.
To their credit, the visitors continued to shoot the ball with precision and the sides were still level at 42 points each in the 17th minute.
Despite playing in snatches Demons managed to hold a three-point lead 48-45 but Killorglin were still very much in this game.
The opening exchanges on the restart was scrappy as both teams continued to shoot ridiculous shots and four minutes into this period Demons led by seven points following a basket and bonus from Tillman.
Tillman picked up his fourth foul with three minutes remaining and with the sides level again Scott Hannigan came up with a huge pointer.
There is little doubt Demons were hanging in as their scoring had completely dried up and with Robinson not scoring in the opening seven minutes, they looked in trouble.
Two Scott Hannigan three pointers did help steady the ship and with Killorglin on team fouls in the closing minutes Demons restored a seven-point lead.
Once again, another careless spell saw Killorglin respond with five unanswered points and Demons were fortunate to command a three-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Scott Hannigan certainly had the hot hand for Demons draining his fourth three pointer on the restart.
The home side just couldn’t close the game out as Killorglin kept responding but Eimantes Spudlis produced a wonderful slammer with six minutes remaining that gave Demons a five-point lead.
The closing minutes were intense but Robinson took over that ensured his debut was a memorable one.
P Robinson 29, E Tillman 25, J Hannigan 15, S Hannigan 15.
J Echexonachukwu 30, J Blount 25, C Riggs-Ladine 19.
S Hannigan, J O’Leary, B Murphy, T Christensen, P Robinson, J Hannigan, D Lehane, E Spudis, K Hosford, C Looney, D Cuff, E Tillman.
C Riggs-Ladine, C Buckley, Cillian Buckley, B Fengula, D Wall, N Powell, J Echezonachukwu, C Murphy, J Blount, L Croke, C Blount, R Elksnis, E Evans, O Okeke.
L Cassidy (Dublin), M Malysko (Portlaoise), E Buckley (Kerry).
