NUIG Mystics will play in the MissQuote.ie Super League next season after they defeated Ulster University 76-57 in the MissQuote.ie Division 1 League final at the National Basketball Arena on Sunday, sealing promotion in the process.
The Galway side led by nine at the end of the half, 34-25. Ulster University were always chasing, they got within seven by the end of the third, 46-39, before NUIG pulled away in the fourth.
Hazel Finn, who top scored for NUIG Mystics with 15 points, said: "Since I started in the team in NUIG Mystics last year I knew well coming into this team we had something special in us and look at us now, we've won both the Cup and League and we’re absolutely delighted."
NUIG Mystics’ scoring was evenly spread throughout their team, Sara Messler had 11, Courtney Cecere and Kara McCleane with 10 each. For Ulster University, Lexi Possett (15), Alex Mulligan (11) and Abigail Rafferty (11) led their offence.
Earlier on Sunday, Limerick Sport Huskies claimed the WNLC Cup title, defeating Swords Thunder 88-74.
The hard work was done early on, as they took an early lead to have a 44-32 advantage at the interval. MVP on the day was Yuleska Tejeda with 37 points.
As for the valiant Swords Thunder, top scorers were Peggy Black (28), Bethany Thompson (15), Laura Fortune (8) and Niamh O'Donovan (8).
MissQuote.ie Super League champions The Address UCC Glanmire finished off their season with an 81-53 win over Trinity Meteors, thanks to strong second half, having only led 41-37 at the break.
The club were presented with the trophy in front of a bumper crowd at the Mardyke, with spectators making a donation to Ukraine, rather than paying an entrance fee for the game.
Tierney Pfirman top scored for The Address UCC Glanmire on the day with 16 points, with Annaliese Murphy on 11 and Mia Furlong on 9. For Trinity Meteors, their attack was headed by Takya Gilbert (22), A’Lexxus Davis (10) and Sinead Keane (10)
WIT Waterford Wildcats claimed third spot in the Super League after back-to-back wins. They defeated Team Garvey’s St Mary’s 71-49 on Thursday, with Rachel Thompson to the fore on 35 points. It meant a win of any description over Killester on Saturday would ensure they’d finish third ahead of their Dublin opponents.
Tommy O’Mahony’s duly did so, and in dramatic style too, thanks to a buzzer-beater from Jasmine Walker to claim a 68-67 win over the Dublin club. Heading the scoring charts for Wildcats were Rachel Thompson (19), Sarah Hickey (18) and Jasmine Walker (12). As for Killester, top scorers were Shannon Power (23), Myah Taylor (22) and Mimi Clarke (9).
The defeat meant that Killester finished fifth, overtaken by DCU Mercy by virtue of a better head-to-head between the sides.
DCU Mercy had to come from behind to get their 78-67 win against Fr Mathews. Bailey Greenberg top scored for DCU Mercy with 23, followed by Alarie Mayze with 20 and Nicole Clancy on 18 points. The top scorers for Fr. Mathews were Gráinne Dwyer (20), Shannon Brady (13) and Amy Corkery (13).
Second placed Singleton SuperValu Brunell got a 92-82 win over Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics on Saturday. Top scorers for SSVwere Kwanza Murray on 33, Shannon Ryan with 19 and Edel Thornton contributed 14 points. On the Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics team, it was Adrienne Jackson who top scored with 25, followed by Emi Guimond (18) and Sorcha Tiernan (15).
Elsewhere, Team Garvey’s St Mary’s beat IT Carlow 83-63. Top scorers for Team Garvey’s St Mary’s were Rheanne OShea 25, Lorraine Scanlon 24 and Paris McCarthy 12. As for IT Carlow, their scoring charts were headed by Alyssa Velles on 23, Miah Ryan with 12, followed by Lauren LaPlant’s 11.
All attentions now turn to the play-offs Griffith College Templeogue, whose game with Belfast Star at the weekend didn't take place, will now play South Conference winners Tradehouse Central Ballincollig in the quarter-finals of the InsureMyVan.ie Super League.
UCD Marian will take on Garvey’s Tralee Warriors after finishing third in the revised standings, following Belfast Star’s withdrawal. Josko Srzic’s side lost 81-78 at home to Killester. Killester’s top scorers on Saturday were Kason Harrell (38), Ciaran Roe (9) and both Al Casey and Javier Vasquez on eight. On the UCD Marian front, the scoring charts were made up of Jonathan Jean (39), Dan James (11) and Marius Markowicz (8).
Killester will now play C&S Neptune in the last eight.
Elsewhere, North Conference winners DBS Éanna ended their regular season in style with another comeback victory, this time over Bright DCU Saints on a 80-77 scoreline, after being down by 12 at the interval.
Next up for DBS Éanna is NUIG Maree in the last eight. The Galway club had a double header over the weekend. The first game didn’t go NUIG Maree’s way, as Tradehouse Central Ballincollig won 87-60.
Sunday’s fortunes were contrasting for Maree, as they beat Bright DCU Saints 117-68. Top scorers on the day for the Galway side were Jeryn Lucas (33), Deondre Jackson (18) and Lovre Tvrdic (16). Bright DCU Saints scorers were Kevin Lacey on 24, Donal Monaghan with 15, Graham Brannelly on 11.
C&S Neptune beat Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 91-81. The damage was done in the first half, as the Cork side went in 52-36 leaders. It took overtime for Moycullen BC to get the better of Team 360 Financial Killorglin, eventually winning 79-78.
In the last Super League game, C&S Neptune beat Moycullen BC 88-51 to end the regular season on a high note.
In the InsureMyVan.ie Division 1 there were two South Conference play-off spaces left to fill, with four teams in with a chance - Limerick Celtics, Limerick Sport Eagles, Scotts Lakers Killarney and Fr. Mathews.
Limerick Sport Eagles made sure of their spot in third, by beating WIT Vikings 99-79. They will now play at Grand Hotel Malahide in the play-off quarter-finals.
The other spot in the top four went to in-form Fr Mathews, thanks to their 90-76 victory over Limerick Celtics. Their prize is a last eight contest against North Conference winners EJ Sligo All-Stars, who were 85-44 winners over LYIT Donegal.
Elsewhere, IT Carlow suffered two weekend defeats, losing 99-72 to Scotts Lakers Killarney on Friday night, and 88-79 to Killarney Cougars on Sunday. Martin Conroy’s side will host Drogheda Wolves in the play-offs.
South Conference winners UCC Demons defeated Portlaoise Panthers 78-74 in their final regular season game, ahead of their play-off with Abbey Seals Dublin Lions next Sunday.
