Historic Eagles get first national win

Eagles 73 Trinity College 60

Virginia show centre, Cavan

Affinity Institute Cavan Eagles marked their first ever home game at national level with a landmark victory on Saturday night, pulling clear of Trinity College in the second half to win 73–60 in the Men's National League Division 2 Cup at the Virginia Show Centre. American forward Fritz Hauser led the scoring with 19 points, and Dan DeBoss added a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds.

It was the club's first win at national level. A week earlier the Eagles had lost by the narrowest of margins, 76–72, to Fr Mathews at the Fr Mathews Arena in Cork, and a large home crowd turned out for the second half of a double-header in Virginia hoping to see the breakthrough.

For long spells it was anything but straightforward. The scores were level seven times and the lead changed hands four times. The Eagles' biggest lead of the night was 13, Trinity's was six.

The opening quarter was a tight, scrappy affair. Trinity led 10–8 and 15–12 before the Eagles nudged back in front. DeBoss scored nine of his points in the period, five of them from the free-throw line, while Daniel Ciaran Jambon Conway replied with six for the visitors. The Eagles' defence set the tone early, forcing nine steals in the quarter to Trinity's two, and the home side led 20–17 at the first break.

The second quarter finished level at 19–19, but that hides the moment the game began to turn. Trinity briefly went 21–20 ahead before the Eagles closed the half with an 11–2 run. Vito Boronenko scored nine points in the period, including two three-pointers, and Paul Ryan scored eight for Trinity from inside the arc. Five Trinity turnovers in the quarter helped the Eagles to a 39–36 lead at half-time.

Hauser, the 6ft 8in Vermont native who played four seasons at Wesleyan University, took charge in the third quarter. He scored eight points with a mix of twos, a three-pointer and a free throw, and a 14–5 burst stretched the lead to 51–41. The Eagles won the quarter 20–18, with 12 rebounds, six assists and five steals, and led 59–54 going into the final period.

The fourth quarter belonged to Cavan. They out-rebounded Trinity 16–9 in the period, and Audrius Urbanavicius came off the bench to score eight points. Trinity managed only two field goals from 11 attempts in the quarter and did not make a three-pointer, and the Eagles won the period 14–6 to close out a 73–60 victory.

Hauser finished with 19 points, six rebounds and six assists in 35 minutes. DeBoss scored 15 points, took 12 rebounds and made seven of his eight free throws. Boronenko added 14 points, Urbanavicius had 11 points and eight rebounds, and Sean Brady contributed six points and was +19 while on the floor, the best on the team. Eleven Eagles saw court time.

"A strong team effort with 11 guys contributing on court, but countless others on the bench lifting the atmosphere and contributing in their own way," said player-coach Ryan McCormick.

"A great start to the habit of winning at National League level."

The Eagles are back in Virginia on Saturday 24 October, when Ongar Chasers visit the Virginia Show Centre for the final Division 2 Cup group game, with tip-off at 5.45pm. Trinity return to Virginia in the league on 21 November.

Quarter scores: 20–17, 39–36, 59–54, 73–60.