North Star 92 – 65 Belfast Star
North Star are through to the semi-final of the BNI Premier cup after an excellent display on both ends of the court against the talented Belfast Star. 5 players scored in double digits for North Star in a well balanced scoring offense lead by American Chris Sumner’s 34 points. North Star will now meet the league leading Ulster Elks in the Semi final of the BNI cup. 
The first half was a close contest with not much between the teams. Hugh Barbour was on form for North Star with two early three’s but this was matched by the outside shooting of Neil McCotter and Star’s American D. Morgan. Despite two Patrick Mullan baskets for Star Sumner’s 7 first quarter points ensured North Star held a slender 1 point lead at the end of the first with the score at 19-18.
Anthony Tench was the difference for North Star in the second quarter. He had 7 points in the period but was making his presence felt on both ends of the floor and also had 2 steals and 3 blocks in the period. Morgan added another two three’s for Star and Daryl Pettigrew scored 5 consecutive points for the Belfast outfit however North Star’s press was causing Star to turn the ball over and Kevin Stanley’s 8 second quarter points helped ensure North star went in at the half with a 7 point lead, 43 – 36 to the Derry men.
Ciaran McVeigh scored back to back baskets at the start of the second half to bring Star close but then North Star went on a 16 – 4 run in the space of 3 minutes. Barbour and Sumner combined for 15 consecutive points in a 3 minute spell that shocked Star and allowed North Star to open up a 15 point gap between the sides. North Star got into team fouls early and Star made 6 consecutive shots from the line but John Ward added 6 consecutive points of his own for North Star to help them stretch their lead to 20 points as they ended the quarter up 69 points to 49.
Star tried to battle back in the fourth but North Star continued to shoot well from the outside and finished the game strong to run out winners by a score line of 92 points to 65.
North Star: C. Sumner 34, H. Barbour 19, K. Stanley 13, A. Tench 13, J Ward 10, K. Temple 3
Belfast Star: P. Mullan 16, C. McVeigh 14, D. Morgan 13, N. McCotter 11, D. Pettigrew 5, N. Cairns 4, F. O’Connor 2
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