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Top scorer Aaron Calixte in full flight. Photo by Liam Ryan
Alan Cantwell was at the Complex for the InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2021/2022 – Round 5 game on Saturday evening…
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 86
Bright DCU Saints 72
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors got back to winning ways at the Tralee Sports Complex last night as they saw off the challenge of Bright DCU Saints by 86-72.
The Warriors led throughout with a dominant third quarter setting up a comfortable win in the end.
In an entertaining and at times frantic opening quarter the home side was in range early with three point scores from Daniel Jokubaitis and Aaron Calixte setting the pace but Saint kept in touch through Julius Brooks and Martin Neary before Ron Elksnis and Fergal O’Sullivan pushed the hosts 18-11 ahead.
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Brooks and Benjamin Durox combined for Saints to restore parity but when Calixte and Keelan Crowe fired in from close range and Brandon Cotton opened his account from outside the Warriors led 25-23 at the first break.
The Warriors stormed into the second quarter to hit four straight threes in a row from Brandon Cotton, Daniel Jokubaitis, Fergal O’Sullivan and Keelan Crowe but Kevin Lacey replied with three identical scores from inside and Durox added another to keep the hosts lead to 36-31.
Donal Monaghan and Keelan Crowe fight for possession. Photo by Liam Ryan
The Warriors continued to maintain the upper hand in the contest with four scores from Calixte and one each from Crowe and Cotton.
But Saints dug in to find the basket from inside and out through Donal Monaghan and with the final action of the quarter Jeff Gordon fired in a huge three to cut the gap to 49-44 at the long break.
The third quarter proved decisive for the home side as they outscored their visitors by 21-14. Calixte was proving himself to be a class apart with another two scores either side of a Fergal O’Sullivan three pointer.
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But Saints to their credit hit back with outside scores from Kevin Lacey and Durox and a couple from inside from Martin Neary saw just two between the sides.
Keelan Crowe and Martin Neary battle under the board. Photo by Liam Ryan
However, a couple of moments of Calixte magic saw the Warriors point guard add 10 points to push the hosts 66-56 and with Saints in foul trouble Crowe, Cotton, O’Hanlon and Calixte all added from the line to see the home side take a 72-58 lead into the final quarter.
The Saints got to work early in the fourth to chip away at the Warriors lead with Gordon, Neary and Durox combining to cut the lead to single figures.
James Fernane found the time and space in the corner to fire in his first three of the night before Calixte pulled up to do likewise a minute late.
Scores from Neary and Durox late on kept the Warriors honest but Aaron Calixte capped a superb individual performance by completing the Warriors scoring tally from a lay up and two visits to the line.
Fergal O’Sullivan lays up a score. Photo by Liam Ryan
The American hit a game high 38 points to put his personal seal on the 86-72 win.
Top scorers: Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Aaron Calixte 38, Fergal O’Sullivan 11, Daniel Jokubaitis 11
Bright DCU Saints: Benjamin Durox 20, Martin Neary 14, Kevin Lacey 9
• Next up for the Garvey’s Tralee Warriors is another home fixture with League arch rivals Griffith College Templeogue at the Tralee Sport Complex on Saturday next with tip off at 7.30pm.
