Women’s Division One Playoff Semi-Finals:
NUIG Mystics 68, Ulster Rockets 58
Ulster Rockets posed the toughest challenge of the season to NUIG Mystics in the penultimate game but ultimately exited the Women’s Division One playoffs on the wrong side of a 68-58 scoreline. Breda Dick’s side were nine points clear at one point in the third quarter before succumbing to a high press and extra pressure on Emma O’Connor.
O’Connor scored 16 points in the first half but was restricted by a box-and-one defence with Siobhan Kilkenny and Ailish O’Reilly going to work and forcing the turnovers that brought about a 19-point swing and victory for Mystics.
“That was as hard as it’s been for us,” said Head Coach Mike Murray. “They were ready for us and they shot the ball really well. We haven’t had a game where we’ve had to come back so it shows good character from us so I was pleased about that.”
NUIG Mystics: A O’Reilly 15, S Kilkenny 21, L Murray, M Fahy 9, M Gilcrease. Substitutes: H Coen, E Smyth, D O’Shea, C Connaire, A O’Neill, L Cunningham, R Hansberry.
Ulster Rockets: N Rafferty 13, C O’Neill, A Maguire 12, C McGrath, E O’Connor 21. Substitutes: E Palmer, L Donnelly, M Deery, N Smye, S Daly.
HT: NUIG Mystics 28, Ulster Rockets 32
Champions Trophy Quarter-Finals:
Maree Out despite good performance against Templeogue
Maree 73 Templeogue 86
Maree Top Scorers: Cathal Finn 18, Paulius Peldzius 13, Kenneth Hansberry 12
Templeogue Top Scorers: Michael Bonaparte 34, Stephen James 18, Paul Cummins 15.
HT: Maree 36, Templeogue 43
*Report Basketball Ireland