Last week our men’s college team at LIT won the Division 2 All-Ireland championship in Dublin! We played against IT Sligo with fellow victory scholars Zack and Connor. It was an absolutely electric game. The final score was 91-88 and came down to the final seconds!
The first half was all IT Sligo. They could not miss. Zack and Connor absolutely dominated the game. By halftime we were down 50-36.
In the second half we were able to turn it around though. We had some great defensive series and were able to get bucket after bucket on the offensive end. Our entire team was so engaged and really impacted the game. The “defense” chants from the bench really boosted our intensity on the floor.
Up until about the 5-minute point in the fourth quarter Sligo had the lead and what seemed like complete control of the game. However, after two huge back to back threes from Drew, we cut the deficit to single digits and then tied it on a traditional three point play! After that, the game was back and fourth with each team trading baskets.
There was under a minute left and I hit a three to put us up 2, then immediately after Zack came down for Sligo and made one of the toughest pull up jumpers I’ve seen to tie it up. There was only about 18 seconds left, I got the ball waited for a few seconds then came off a screen from the top of the key. It was a great screen that left me open enough to shoot a pull up three. Luckily it went in to put us up 3! This shot literally hit every part of the rim and bounced in, I’m still shocked it went in! There was only a few seconds left and we made it very difficult for Sligo to get a good shot off at the end. We were crowned champions as the horn sounded!
It was such an exciting game. We were down by as much as 25 points. We fought our way back and inch by inch we cut the deficit. I was fortunate enough to score 52 points and to be awarded MVP of the game. This college team is a very close-knit group so it was really special to bring home one last W for LIT. My teammates have been great all season long and playing on the court with them has been an absolute pleasure!
After my last college game in the states concluded last March I really thought my basketball days were over. I give so much thanks and appreciation to SCL for providing me with the opportunity to continue my basketball career. It definitely was an unique experience but I’ve enjoyed every aspect of it.
