DCU Mercy are now the only undefeated team remaining in the Women’s Super League after a thrilling 77-70 victory over WIT Wildcats. DCU held the advantage at the end of the first quarter thanks to scoring from Sarah Woods and Ashley Russell. Wildcats fought back to capture the lead heading into the half, 31-36. The teams were evenly matched in the third with scores coming from Wildcats’ Jasmine Walker and DCU’s Meredith Burkhall. DCU then pulled away in the fourth to take the game and keep their undefeated streak.
Elsewhere, defending champions Liffey Celtics took home their second win in a row on Saturday night, running out 70-76 point winners over Maree in a tense finish in Galway. A massive second half display from the hosts saw them fight back at an early Maree lead with including an incredible 32-point display from American Kylee Smith. Fellow American, Darby Maggard had an impressive performance from beyond the three-point line as she finished with 17 points.
Speaking afterwards, head coach Laura Mullally said: " We are happy to come away with a win tonight against an experienced and well coached Maree squad - while there were moments in the game where we struggled to score the basketball, we stayed committed on the defensive end and tried to challenge every shot and rebound the ball. We are still have things to improve in as a team, but overall we are happy to add a road win early in the season and will look forward to coming back home next weekend.”
Fr Mathews secured their second win of the season in the Women’s Super League after they defeated a valiant IT Carlow, 74-68 in Cork. Shannon Brady and Amy Murphy performed on both ends of the court for Mathews as they fought to keep control of scoring from Carlow’s Alyssa Velles and Kaitlyn Slagus who combined for 47 points. Despite their best efforts it was Mathews who came away with the important victory and leaving Carlow seeking their first win.
The fourth game this weekend saw Pyrobel Killester run out 69-45 winners over Marble City Hawks in IWA-Clontarf. Christa Reed and Ash McCann combined for 43 points for the Dublin side as they cruised to their second victory of the season.
DBS Éanna continued their perfect start to the Men’s Super League season with a 74-94 point win over Pyrobel Killester, in Dublin on Saturday evening. The win sees the newly-promoted side as one of just two unbeaten teams left in the league after four rounds of games.
Éanna got off to a great start, opening up a 14-24 lead at the end of the first quarter to see Killester on the back foot from early on. A big second quarter from both sides saw Killester claw at Éanna’s lead at the break, 40-45. Huge scoring from Éanna’s Marko Tomic and Neil Lynch saw them extend their lead to 19 at the end of the third. Killester’s Keith Anderson and Isaac Westbrooks fought their hardest to build a scoring run but in the end, Éanna finished twenty-point winners.
Speaking afterwards, head coach Darren McGovern said: “That was a tough one tonight. We gave as good as we got tonight. Terrific performances by us all. I was worried coming here with some players on their sick beds and missing some rotations but we delivered a strong performance. I couldn't have asked for more than what the guys gave. They are a fantastic group of guys.”
Coughlan C&S Neptune are the only other unbeaten team in the league, taking home a 100-84 point win over Abbey Seals Dublin Lions in Cork. Neptune held a narrow 23-19 lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to scoring from player/coach Lehmon Colbert. At the end of the second, Neptune led 52-36 after an impressive display of both offensive and defensive capabilities. Romonn Nelson finished the game with a whopping 30 points for Lions but it was Neptune who came away with the victory.
Speaking afterwards, head coach Lehmon Colbert said: “I think we got better as a team tonight. Things that we were struggling with in the first couple weeks, we managed to do tonight, so I’m very happy to come away with the win and be 4-0.”
Elsewhere, UCD Marian edged Moycullen 79-73 in Dublin, with Mike Garrow leading the scoring for the hosts with 25 points. Griffith College Templeogue recorded a substantial 108-79 victory over Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin in Dublin with Puff Summers leading all scorers with 22 points. Belfast Star secured their second win of the season with a 77-61 victory over Maree. Star’s Delaney Blaylock contributed a whopping 27 points to his side’s victory. In the final game of the day, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors put on a dominant display of basketball as they defeated DCU Saints, 60-104. Jonathan Lawson had a massive 35 points for Tralee as they eased their way to victory in Carrickmacross.
