Utility Trust St Paul’s 85
Galway Mystics 65
Report: Enda Walshe
Utility Trust St Paul’s picked up their second win of the season with what was in the end a routine 85-65 win over the Galway Mystics.
The performance certainly won’t be filed in the classic category as they struggled to get much rhythm going in the first half, no doubt not helped by a three week break from action. But once they felt the collective breath of the Westerners on their necks in the third quarter, they put the boot down to run out comfortable winners.
St Paul’s were strong favourites for the game but their early lethargy, allied to a spirited Galway showing, meant there were only two points in it, 51-49, midway through the third period.
As can often be the case, the underdogs can take encouragement in a game of this nature but a time out called by coach James Fleming seemed to straighten up the visitors’ challenge and the resultant improvement saw them coast home.
The game saw new signing Mathilde Diop make her competitive debut and she finished with a double double of 11 points and 14 rebounds.
The early signs were positive as Megan Ormiston and Gracen Kerr got their boots into the saddle straps. They combined to open up a 10-6 lead, the highlight being a superb pass from Kerr for her compatriot to finish with aplomb.
Isabelle Quinn and Kierra Rivers made their mark before Mathilde Diop found her range from outside. With Denise Dunlea, Siofra O’Shea and Leah McMahon all on the easy list, it meant plenty of game time for the Paul’s bench with Lynn Jones, Lorraine Scanlon and Meabh Barry all rotating with the starting five.
Simeone O’Shea stole in with a nice move but Irish internationals Kara McCleane and Shannon Cunningham kept the home fires burning to leave 23-19 at the end of the first in St Paul’s favour.
The home side started the second quarter well with Lily Hynes, Rivers and Cunningham drawing them level. But some good defence from Diop in unison with some fine scores from the O’Sheas, Rheanne and Simeone, Ormiston and Kerr opened up an 11 point lead, 37-26.
Kara McCleane and Cunningham struck again but not before Kerr slalomed in for a basket. Ormiston and Rheanne O’Shea ensured the visitors led 43-33 as they hit the locker rooms.
The third quarter is where things started to go awry for St Paul’s. Cunningham, McCleane and Isabelle Quinn all combined to close the gap to three, 47-44, and that prompted the timeout from coach Fleming.
Ormiston and Simeone O’Shea were the first to react and it heralded a dominant spell for St Paul’s. The pick of the scores was a three-point play from Lorraine Scanlon who took a nice pass from Kerr to be fouled in the act of scoring.
Diop, Kerr and Simeone O’Shea added more as the Mystics effort dried up with Lynn Jones playing with her usual abandon. Ormiston took possession of a long inbound pass to make it 65-51 at the three quarters stage.
The dominance spilled into the fourth quarter with Rheanne O’Shea nailing it from outside, Diop helping herself to a three-point play and Ormiston and Kerr running the show.
To be fair to the Mystics, they battled away with Cunningham, McCleane and Rivers keeping their effort flowing but Simeone O’Shea, Ormiston and Kerr closed out the game with Diop bringing their total up to 85.
Megan Ormiston hit a game high 27 points closely followed by Gracen Kerr with 24, Mathilde Diop had 11, Simeone O’Shea had nine and namesake Rheanne on seven, the same total as Lorraine Scanlon.
For the battling Mystics Kierra Rivers was best with 19, Shannon Cunningham had 14, Kara Mc Cleane 12 and Isabella Quinn 11.
Next weekend sees the Portlaoise Panthers come to Killarney with the game pencilled in for a 4.00m tip off. They currently sit on two wins – the same as St Paul’s – but they are coming off the back of a heavy defeat to Killester last weekend.
But they are a dangerous side when on song, best exemplified by their defeat of National Cup Champions Brunell. They are led by Allysa Velles, Lynn Tunnah and the Dooleys, Amy and Shauna. They will also be boosted by the recent signing of former favourite Jessica Fressle, a name well familiar to the St Paul’s players.
KillarneyToday.com: Reaching thousands of readers every day. To advertise call 087-2229761 or email news@killarneytoday.com
