Killester and Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics secure places in MissQuote.ie Champions Trophy playoffs

Killester sealed their berth in the end-of-season MissQuote.ie Champions Trophy with a 73-70 win at University of Galway Mystics in the MissQuote.ie Super League. Chanell Williams and Michelle Clarke were to the forefront of their win, with 30 and 24 points respectively.

Head coach Mark Grennell said: “It was a big win for us. It secured our playoff spot. They had us on the ropes in the second half, but our girls dug deep and found a way to bounce back and win it. We look forward now to Fr. Mathews next week, as we chase 4th spot.”

Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics are also into the Champions Trophy, after defeating Waterford Wildcats 80-69. Trailing 38-28 at half-time, the game turned in the third quarter when Karl Kilbride’s team outscored their opponents 26-9, with Ciara Bracken grabbing 10 of her 15 points in the quarter.

“Delighted with the win, it secures us a playoff spot. We really didn’t play well in the first half, Wildcats were much the better team. We had far too many turnovers and Wildcats were just that bit tougher. I thought we did a much better job of winning the fight in the second half. Defensively, we did a much better job rebounding and limiting their second chance points, and that really limited their scoring. We now go into DCU (Mercy) next week looking to get to .500 for the season and coming from where we were a month ago, it’s a goal we’d be really happy with”, Kilbride stated.

Ulster University’s fine form since the turn of the year continued, taking the scalp of Trinity Meteors. The 81-76 victory was their fourth win in eight games. Head coach Patrick O’Neill said: “Thrilled for the team - after last week it would have been easy to lose focus, also with both teams missing key players, but we stood up and stayed composed to close the game out. It’s been fantastic seeing all our squad grow as this season has gone on and we have had a solid second half of the season.”

On Sunday recently crowned MissQuote.ie Super League champions The Address UCC Glanmire edged DCU Mercy 66-62. The Address UCC Glanmire head coach Mark Scannell said: “Great game of basketball, we had to dig really deep. Both teams were brilliant defensively and we struggled on offence ‘til the last three minutes, but any time you get out of DCU with a win you are happy. I think DCU (Mercy) will be there or thereabouts come the Champions Trophy.”

Singleton SuperValu Brunell overcame i3PT Fr. Mathews 87-75 and head coach Liam Culloty was pleased to pick up a derby win. “Delighted to come through a very tough Cork derby with a win. It was a close game throughout. We were very sloppy especially in the third quarter and we had to dig really deep. Katie Walsh and Danielle O’Leary shot extremely well in the last quarter and we finished the game with great momentum, so we're delighted to get another win.”

In MissQuote.ie Division 1 McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles slipped to just their second league defeat of the season, losing 69-59 at Limerick Celtics on Sunday. On Saturday both Moy Tolka Rovers and Phoenix Rockets moved to 12-5 records in the North Conference. Moy Tolka Rovers followed up Thursday’s 93-86 win at Oblate Dynamos by defeating Marble City Hawks 62-57, while Phoenix Rockets had a comprehensive 91-50 success at Limerick Sport Huskies. In the South Conference St. Paul’s Killarney move level on points with Portlaoise Panthers, the Kerry club winning 80-73 at Griffith College Templeogue, while Portlaoise Panthers slipped to a 72-58 defeat at Abbey Seals Dublin Lions. Elsewhere SETU Carlow won 80-46 at Swords Thunder.

Fixtures/Results

MissQuote.ie Super League

Saturday, March 4^th

University of Galway Mystics 70-73 Killester

Ulster University 81-76 Trinity Meteors

Waterford Wildcats 69-80 Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics

Sunday, March 5th

DCU Mercy 62-66 The Address UCC Glanmire

Singleton SuperValu Brunell 87-75 i3PT Fr. Mathews

MissQuote.ie Division 1

Thursday, March 2^nd

Oblate Dynamos 86-93 Moy Tolka Rovers