Just one week before a titanic cup semi-final at home, Bord Gáis Neptune are looking to bounce back from one of their worst defeats in Basketball Ireland's Men's Premier League when they play Belfast Star tomorrow.

Neptune’s shocking 41-point loss to DCU Saints last weekend ended what had been a three-game win streak for the Cork side.

It also severely dented their hopes of a title challenge, falling now three games behind league leaders and rivals C&S UCC Demons. A win tomorrow against a young Belfast Star is a must for Neptune in order to retain title aspirations.

It will also help players and fans alike forget what was a truly dismal performance to end 2013 as they continue their preparations for their crucial home cup semi-final on January 10th against Dublin Inter.

'Huge challenge'
"We are drawing a line under the DCU game and feel like it was a once-off bad day for us," said Neptune guard Ian McLoughlin."We know we are going to get a huge challenge from Star

. . . and it is probably exactly what we need after DCU and a week before the cup.”

Belfast Star picked up their first win since October over the Christmas period, getting the better of Dublin Inter 58 -72 and will look to force their way back up to the top half of the table in 2014.

After a fast start to the season they faltered in November and early December and now sit sixth in the table.

Neptune’s cup opponents in a week’s time, Dublin Inter, are also in action this weekend, home to Killester.

The highlight in the Women’s Premier League this weekend is the top of the table clash between UL Huskies and Team Montenotte in UL tomorrow night.