Michelle Aspell signed off on an exceptional international career with an 18 points tally in Ireland’s senior women’s famous 67-62 win over the Netherlands in front of a packed National Basketball Arena on Saturday.
Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the play-off’s ended on Wednesday away to Iceland but they showed tremendous character to claim the scalp of the Dutch in their final group game.
'It was just an exceptional win,' said Aspell. 'It says so much about us as a team to respond in the manner we did after the heartbreak of losing to Iceland on Wednesday.
'It was a great way to sign off my international career and something I’ll never forget,' she added.
'It’s such a pity we didn’t beat Iceland, we really could have pulled it off but that’s in the past now and we must be able to celebrate a win against such a class European team like the Netherlands.'
Meanwhile, head coach Mark Scannell said: 'The team showed exceptional character, we knew we had a win like this in us.
'Other teams might have rolled over after a loss like we had on Wednesday but not this group of players,' he added.
'We had top displays from everyone, including Michelle Aspell, who was outstanding in what looks like her last game in an Irish jersey.
'This result is what the team deserves for all their efforts, when you look back we should have beaten Montenegro and Iceland but we have to look forward now and no better way than on the back of an excellent win over such a class outfit.'
Ireland managed to hold a slight advantage with just over three minutes left in the first quarter with an excellent three pointer following some good work from Niamh Dwyer.
Another jump shot from Halman put the Dutch back in the lead but Marie Breen responded with an excellent three and a lay-up to help Ireland to a 21-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Ireland ended a hugely productive second quarter with two successful free throws from Aspell as Ireland held an extremely healthy 37-26 lead at the interval.
The Netherlands soon found their rhythm and cut the deficit to just four points in the third quarter with a three from Marie Hoogstraten the highlight of their revival.
The visitor’s completed their comeback with just under a minute left in the third period from the free throw to leave the score 49-49 heading into the final quarter.
Ireland stretched their lead to 10 points in the closing stages courtesy of a lay-up from Dwyer before Marlous Nieuwveen struck a basket to reduce the arrears to eight points.
A three from Kooij gave Ireland some nervous moments but the ‘girls in green’ managed to hold on to record a superb 67-62 success.
