There were mixed fortunes for the two Portlaoise teams in the men’s and women’s National Basketball League.
Portlaoise Panthers men’s team made the journey to Cork last night to take on Fr Matthews.
Defeat here would have certainly left them cut adrift at the bottom of the table, however, they defied the odds to win.
The game finished 80-76 in favour of the Panthers and the triumph draws them level with Ulster University Elks at the foot of the Division 1A table.
The men have now cut the gap to Fr Matthew’s directly above them to nine points by picking up their seventh win of the season.
However, the Portlaoise Panthers women’s team did not fair so well as they lost out in a Midlands derby against IT Carlow.
The first quarter in St Mary’s Hall ended 22-24 in favour of IT Carlow but the Panthers turned things around to lead 36-33 at half time.
IT Carlow got on top in the third quarter though and took a four point lead which they extended to win by 70 to 59 in the end.
The defeat sees the Panthers drop to second from bottom – level with IT Carlow in the Women’s Super League.
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