Ballincollig capped off a remarkable regular season with a 112-103 double-overtime triumph over Belfast Star on Saturday, to secure first place heading into the playoff stage of the season.
Ballincollig produced a storming display in their double overtime win over Belfast Star that ensured they gained top spot in the Men’s Super League regular season before the play-off’s starting next weekend.
This game on Saturday had everything and in the opening quarter both teams went for the jugular with and a deft Roger Wilson jumper midway through the quarter ensured Star command a 13-11 lead.
In the closing minutes both sides traded baskets, but a late Adrian O’Sullivan basket edged Ballincollig ahead 26-23.
The trend of the game didn’t change on the restart and Ballincollig after getting a good start were pegged back despite his side leading by the minimum in the 16th minute.
Basket for basket was witnessed in the closing minutes to the interval and the teams were locked at 42 points going into the break.
The intensity of his game was incredible but with the Star American Shay Dezonie now finding his range the northerners edged into a six- point lead.
Indeed, for the remainder of the quarter Star looked a side on a mission and with two minutes remaining in this period they commanded a nine- point lead.
Credit to Ballincollig they responded in style and a brace of late free throws from Lattrell Jossell reduced the deficit to four points entering the crucial final quarter.
Ballincollig came out firing on all cylinders in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter and with the home side looking likely to secure a hard- earned win Dezonie denied them at the death with the sides finishing at 88 points each.
Into the first period of overtime a low scoring period as both sides shared 16 points with a second period of overtime required to separate two committed sides.
Enter the second period of overtime and Ballincollig’s ace American Jossell nailed consecutive three pointers that finally broke the hearts of their opponents as Ballincollig saw out the game on style.
Jossell finished with a game high 35 points followed by 18 from Latavious Mitchell with Adrian O’Sullivan on 15.
After securing the win in double OT, Ballincollig end the season at 17-5, making it a Domino’s Men’s Super League National Cup and regular season double. They will now welcome Limerick Celtics in the quarter-finals of the playoffs.