Pace-Setters Remain Perfect In MissQuote.ie Super League

Photo Credit: Basketball Ireland

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell and FloMAX Liffey Celtics opened up a two-game advantage at the top of the MissQuote.ie Super League, staying unbeaten by beating both last season’s finalists DCU Mercy and The Address UCC Glanmire.

𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐒

Just the 3️⃣ games this Sunday across the two Super Leagues.

Division One results & the full weekly score roundup can be found at the following link 👉 https://t.co/2B1v17XTYl #BID1 | #BISL || #BITV pic.twitter.com/DMR9YQLGtI

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) October 22, 2023

“We are very happy to maintain our winning run against a very tough DCU Mercy team,”said Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell head coach Liam Culloty following their 87-54 win which brings them to 5-0. Ultimately it was the efficiency with which the home team were making shots in the paint that caught out the visitors. DCU Mercy shot the ball well to keep pace with that explosive Brunell offense in the first half, but couldn’t get enough stops defensively to claw back the first half deficit.

“To be fair to us we really stuck to the task and had to dig deep in the third quarter, but we finished the game strong and that will stand to us going forward,” added Culloty.

The performance was even more impressive given FloMAX Liffey Celtics ramped up the pressure by holding on for a 75-68 win against The Address UCC Glanmire on Saturday night (21 October). In a game where neither team could find their range from beyond the arc, it was the effectiveness of Tianna Ayulo and Áine O’Connor on the glass that stood out. Both had 11 rebounds, 10 offensively that gave their shooters second and third opportunities. Grinding out wins is always the benchmark of a good team, so that aspect will have please head coach Karl Kilbride. His opposite number Mark Scannell has plenty of food for thought ahead of a Cork derby with the league leaders in six day’s time.

FloMAX Liffey Celtics vs The Address UCC Glanmire underway at Leixlip Amenities ⏱️

Who's taking home the 𝐖 ❓#BISL | #BITV pic.twitter.com/gcn3AerDsv

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) October 21, 2023

With SETU Waterford Wildcats enjoying their bye week, it was an opportunity for Killester to move level with them in third place they duly obliged. Jiselle Thomas is quickly becoming one of the best offensive players in the MissQuote.ie Super League and she showed his class throughout a 91-79 win against University of Galway Mystics. Kara McCleane picked up where she left off following injury with a 32-point double-double in defeat for Mystics who remain locked with Portlaoise Panthers at the foot of the table.

The aforementioned Portlaoise Panthers stay in 10^th, as they succumbed to a Grainne Dwyer and Ariel Johnson inspired Catalyst Fr.Mathews in Cork. Just three points separated the teams entering the final quarter but seven points apiece from Dwyer and Johnson, as well as a further six from Shannon Brady gave Pat Price a maiden win of the season. Alyssa Velles and Jessica Fressle providing the resistance for Niall Berry’s team, combining for 40 points and 12 rebounds.

Elsewhere Trinity Meteors made it successive wins for the first time this season in a 96-87 victory over Ulster University. The game was tied 83-83 with 2:51 on the clock before a scintillating 13-4 run saw Hilary Netsinyanwa pick up his first win on the road as head coach. Back to back three point shots from Yvette Adriaans and Grace Prenter set the run in motion and although Ulster University reduced the arrears thanks to Ance Aizsila, it was a pair of free-throws from Celena Taborn and Morgan Lenahan that were decisive.

The MissQuote.ie League, divided into the MissQuote.ie Super League and the MissQuote.ie Division 1 League.

The MissQuote.ie League Results Super League Results were as follows:

Saturday 21^st October

University of Galway Mystics 79-91 Pyrobel Killester

Ulster University 87-96 Trinity Meteors

FloMAX Liffey Celtics 75-68 The Address UCC Glanmire

Sunday 22^nd October

Catalyst Fr. Mathew’s 83-73 Portlaoise Panthers

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell 87-58 DCU Mercy

The results for MissQuote.ie Division 1 were as follows:

Saturday 21^st October

Phoenix Rockets 78-84 Abbey Seals Dublin Lions