Blackstone miss out on top spot in Premier League

In the opening quarter the Blackstone set out in a man to man defence that was having little effect on the Magic offence.

Armagh’s considerable power advantage gave the Blackstone a hammering in the opening quarter as they play a tough street ball type of game and they opened a 32-20 gap at the end of the first.

Blackstone were stunned by the directness and the power and found few scores for 4 minutes. Then Peter McNicholl took up the challenge with six points in the key as he rebounded and set in then took the ball to the basket strong twice to set in.

McDonald missing his starting partner Adam Murray in the offence was struggling to get space for the three pointer and hit just one in this phase. In the absence of Adam Murray young brother Michael shot two short range scores to keep the Blackstone in contention.

For the remander of the game the Blackstone were set in a zone defence against the Magic and it made a considerable difference to the Blackstone defence as the outscored the home team for the rest of the game.

The second quarter brought better defence but still the scoring rate was not up to speed.

Alex Prymus was important for Blackstone in this phase and made his mark on the rebounding. The big centre was active at both ends denying the second phase to the Magic offence and then he shot 4 points to open the quarter.

Martin McDonald at last got open for a three pointer and two short range shots that closed the gap to 12 points. Michael Murray went to the basket on the break for two points and then a trade mark shot from the top of the key narrowed the gap to eight points at the half.

The third started with Blackstone trailing 47–39 and left them with it all to do and set about it with a full court press. The results were significant as the gap closed to 4 points.

Prymus went to the hoop for two and McNicholl had eight points on the trot closing the gap to two points.

Armagh maintained the eight point gap as the Blackstone were hit by three three-pointers from Grulbinas. Again Murray came up with four points in the closing minutes of the quarter and McDonald shot two threes to leave his team trailing 67–61 at the break.

In the fourth, Blackstone maintained their pressure but was not as effective in the execution of their offence.

McDonald, Browne and McNicholl all got scores from the press and pulled the Blackstone to within one basket of the lead. Alex Prymus made a power move in the key to give them the lead in the next offence at 72 -73 and it looked like the visitors were going to get out of jail again.

Kisielius was to dampen the enthusiasm with a three pointer but McDonald replied for Blackstone with a three from the right corner with seconds left. Armagh called a time out and with the ball in Blackstone possession the game looked secure with 35 seconds left but the ball was turned over and went to Kisielius who shot to put his team up by one.

On the next attack the Blackstone again failed to score. They had to foul to stop the game and with eight seconds left a time out came but with Armagh in possession, Blackstone had run out of options and lost by one point.

This week the competition progresses to the knock out phase with the Blackstone 1 going into a three game play off with the Hussars from Belfast.