Tillman delivers for Demons in hard-earned National Cup victory over Tralee
TO THE FORE: UCC Demon's Elijah Tillman shoots from Garvey's Tralee Warriors' Cian Sullivan and Eoin Quigley during the Pat Duffy Men's National Cup quarter-final at Neptune Stadium. Pic: Eddie O'Hare
A 28-point contribution from UCC Demons American Elijah Tillman ensured the holders booked their place in the final four of the Pat Duffy Men’s National Cup following a hard-earned win over Garvey’s Tralee Warriors at the Neptune Stadium.
Elijah Tillman only took 10 seconds to produce a slammer that had the home fans in rapture but credit to the Warriors, they responded with baskets from Rap Buiyvdas and a three-pointer from Greg Adon.
We then had a run of both teams exchanging baskets with Demons racing into a five-point lead mainly due to some good work at the post from Tillman.
The Warriors were struggling in defence to stop the Tillman influence and following two free throws he helped his side into a seven-point lead with one minute remaining in this period.
Demons looked the better side in the opening quarter and it was no surprise they commanded a 24-14 lead entering the second period.
The Kerry side responded with three unanswered points from free throws as Demons were picking up silly fouls.
Demons stopped getting the ball into Tillman with the same frequency but two baskets from the big man midway through the quarter gave his team a nine-point lead - 32-23 - with the Warriors immediately calling a time out.
On the restart, Demons lost their way for a three-minute period as the Warriors came storming back, outscoring Demons 9-2 and with two minutes remaining to the break, the deficit was reduced to four points.
In the closing minutes, Demons held their nerve and with Tillman finishing the half with a 20-point tally, they deservedly went in with a 40-32 lead.
On the restart Demons second American Pa Robinson drained consecutive baskets for Demons before Buivydas responded with lay-up.
Demons got sloppy and missed easy opportunities as the Warriors came storming back and with two minutes remaining, the deficit was reduced to two points 52-50.
A three-pointer from Stephens edged the Warriors ahead and they held that one-point cushion to the end of the quarter taking a 55-54 lead into the final period.
Coming down the stretch the game remained on a knife edge but a monstrous three-pointer from Robinson proved the sucker punch for the Warriors.
E Tillman 28, P Robinson 20, J Hannigan 10.
M Stephens 22, R Buivydas 19, G Adon 17.
S Hannigan, B Murphy, T Christensen, P Robinson, J Hannigan, D Lehane, E Spudis, K Hosford, C Looney, D Cuff, E Tillman.
D Jokubaitis, S Bowler, B Mahan, J Fernane, J Osayanrhion, K Crowe, R Buivydas, C O’Sullivan, O Michalczuk, G Adon.
E Perry (Dublin), J Dooley (Portlaoise), A Wickham (Dublin).
