DELTA NOTRE DAME had to stave off a stirring second half comeback by Marian before qualifying for the play offs of the Sprite Men's Cup with their 93-84 victory in last night's Dublin Derby quarter final at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.

Delta were far the better side in the first half and led 52-36 at the interval as they restricted Marian's Americans, Kevin Ellery and Jason Siemon, to a combined total ofjust 15 points in that period.

However, Marian charged back into the game, straight from the re start, and rapidly reduced the deficit, helped by five three pointers from Gary Edge and Alan Fearon, the last of which closed Delta's lead to the bare minimum 85-84 with exactly one minute left on the clock.

Delta, with both Matt Thompson and Lennie McMillan on four fouls for much of the second half, held their nerve and free throws from Darren McGuinness and Anthony Jenkins sealed their victory; but they were flattered by the scoreline.

Marian will rue a travelling call on Siemon with 44 seconds to go after he had apparently made a good score. That effectively marked the end of their fine comeback effort.