GETTING a first win at Superleague level has proved a huge challenge for Moycullen and, when it finally came on Saturday, it certainly didn’t come easily. However when Dylan Cunningham knocked down the winning three pointer on the buzzer, the manner of victory made it all the sweeter as players and fans rushed to engulf the young star.

With the monkey finally off their back, the team will hope to convert their ever improving form into further wins and a challenge for the third place in the conference and a play-off place. Next up is the long trip to Belfast for a clash with an Ulster Elks team still searching for their first win.

Saturday’s game saw Moycullen open in confident form. Cian Nihill had the hot hand early on as they opened a 12-6 lead. UCD-Marian soon found their form though and a 12-0 run, capped by a three pointer from Conor Meany, saw them lead 18-12.

Meaney and Luke McCrone were proving a real handful for Moycullen but they rallied behind some solid shooting from Nate Fritsch. They still trailed by three as time ran out in the quarter but Fritsch got the ball in his own half and launched a massive shot which dropped through for a three pointer to level the game at 25-25.

The second quarter was equally well balanced. Fritsch and Nihill continued to score for the home team while John Cunningham chipped in with five points. Moycullen now had a reasonable handle on Meany and McCrone, but Daniel James and Neil Baynes stepped up their efforts and combined for 12 points for the visitors.

The teams were going basket for basket. Dylan Cunningham came off the bench to log some valuable minutes and he added a pair of late scores (the second coming off a superb assist as time ran out from Fritsch) to give Moycullen a one point lead, 46-45.

Moycullen thought they had finally solved their third quarter woes the previous week but they returned on Saturday. UCD-Marian’s balanced team efforts showed to good effect with five different players sharing their first five baskets of the quarter.

Meanwhile, Cian Nihill was Moycullen’s only scorer as he connected for seven points. The visitors began to edge ahead as Moycullen saw their foul count mount. Nate Fritsch joined Nihill on the scoresheet with a late basket but the quarter ended with the home team in trouble, trailing by nine, 55-64.

The fourth quarter saw a renewed effort from a Moycullen team determined to get their first win. Fritsch led the way early on and James Loughnane chipped in with a valuable three pointer as they narrowed the gap to five points.

UCD-Marian had not given up though and were productive from the free throw line as the lead stayed at five points.

When Cian Nihill fouled out, things looked ominous for Moycullen but they continued to battle. Coach Enda Byrt went with a smaller combination of Dowd, Loughnane, Kurcenkovas, Fritsch and Dylan Cunningham and their excellent pressure defence and good spacing on offense began to turn the tide.

Fritsch was immense, taking on the responsibility of scoring and creating scores and the young guys around him responded. A three from Fritsch narrowed the gap to two and Dylan Cunningham then levelled the game at 76 apiece as the large crowd roared on the home team.

To UCD-Marian’s credit, they were up for the battle and Conor James pushed then two ahead again. James Loughnane then gave Moycullen their first lead of the half with a superb three only for Daniel James to respond. With 27 seconds on the clock, Moycullen were down one and had possession.

They ran the clock down and got the ball to Fritsch on the three point line. He drove to the basket only for UCD/Marian to send two players to help his defender. As he rose to take the shot, he heard Dylan Cunningham call for the ball on the three point line and found him with a superb pass.

With the fearlessness of youth, Cunningham caught and shot as the shot clock expired and the ball dropped through the net as time ran out. A superb victory, just reward for a tremendous team effort.

Coach Byrt will be relieved to have a first win under his belt. The team has been battling away but needed a win to reward their honest efforts. Nate Fritsch has been a huge addition. He takes a lot of the scoring pressure off Cian Nihill and is always available when the offense breaks down.

The young guys are learning on the job and, with three teams from the group progressing to the play-offs, it’s still a realistic target for Moycullen if they can put a run of wins together. The home support the team has had been superb. The gym has been packed for every game and they’ve never given up on the team.

The win was as important for them as for the team and Moycullen will hope that they can build on the win and make the Kingfisher NUIG gym a fortress where visiting teams feel like they are starting four to five points down.