suffer second loss
22 August 2008
Ireland 75 Iceland 78
For the second night in a row, Ireland suffered the heart ache of defeat as Iceland condemned Jay Larranaga's men to an agonizing two point reversal at the National Arena on day two of the Emerald Hoops tournament.
Nonetheless Jay Larranaga's Green Giants are certainly providing the public with value for money as they once more pushed their opponent's right down to the very last play of the game.
And the Irish prepare for next month's European Championship campaign, they are sure to benefit from their two very competitive fixtures so far.
Ireland were in the ascendancy early on with Damien Matacz twice making baskets as Ireland established a 12-8 lead at the end of the quarter.
But Iceland who lost their opening game to Poland on Thursday night, were to go in front with eight minutes to go in the first half with Sigurour Borvaldsson firing in five points to put the Icelanders ahead for the first time in the game.
Borvaldsson landed another long shot soon after before Donie McGrath picked off his opponents with a well taken three pointer to cut the gap to two with 6.20 left on the clock.
Iceland again attempted to open up a gap but a Jason Killeen free followed straight afterwards by a Colin O'Reilly steal saw Iceland's lead cut to two points, 27-25 with midway through the second.
And although O'Reilly continued to pitch in with some valuable scores, the Icelandic team had by half time extended their lead to ten points, 44-34.
But the Irish gradually clawed their way back into contention and after Chris Bracey had landed a three pointer to tie the game at 49-49 each, Ireland were to hold their opponents to six points for the remainder of the quarter.
And another Bracey three pointer followed by a lay up by Matacz with the bonus free was to see Ireland up 64-55 at the end of the third.
Iceland however regained the initiative in the last quarter and eventually re-took the lead with 3.30 left on the clock courtesy of a basket from Fannar Olaffson.
But driven on by the impressive McGrath, Ireland remained on their opponents coat-tails and in a climatic finish, tied the game with two seconds to go when Chris Bracey converted two from the line.
But just as Ryan Ayers had so cruelly sunk the hopes of the Irish support on the previous night, so too did Logi Gunnarson who in the very last play of the game landed a superb three pointer for the Icelanders.
Top scorers
Ireland: Colin O Reilly 15, Donie McGrath 13, Damien Matacz 13
Iceland: Sigour Borvaldson 18, Magnus Gunnarson 14, Hiynur Baeringson 11