Waterford Crystal may have played themselves into the position of favourites for this year's Basketball Superleague title after an emphatic win over Denny Notre Dame.

The home side led by 11 points at half time to surge to an even greater 87-69 winning margin. Waterford have now won two important games in succession, beating Kerry Spring Killarney in overtime before yesterday adding Notre Dame's significant scalp. Notre Dame were ranked as the side to watch this season. UCD Marian maintained a 10-point half-time margin to topple Star of the Sea 88-78 at UCD, with Star handing Marian a number of crucial turnovers. Kerry Spring Killarney arrived at Killester looking for their first win of the season, but went home empty handed with the home side winning the critical battle between the big men. Killester's Mike Trimmer just edged out Killarney's Ricardo Leonard under the boards enabling them to hold on for a three point advantage.

Blue Demons had mixed fortunes with two matches over the weekend. On Saturday they faced Dungannon in Cork but allowed the visitors a 79-75 victory before bouncing back yesterday against Tolka Rovers. Chasing Tolka at half time Demons finally ran out 92-86 winners.

Dungannon, however, went down to Neptune in their second game of the weekend after a closely fought contest. A flurry of scores late in the match, however, left Dungannon reeling and 12 points down with four minutes left.

The Dublin Bay Vikings sent Limerick away licking the wounds of a 83-75 defeat while Marlborough Saints built from a 10-point lead in the first quarter to beat Sligo 93-84.

In the women's Superleague Snowcream Wildcats extended their superb run to 24 wins, with a 62-69 victory over Killester. At Tolka Rovers, the home side just edged out Meteors 74-71.