Ariel Johnson on top form for Fr Mathew's with 46 points
Catalyst Fr Mathew's Ariel Johnson looks to go past University of Galway Mystics' Emma Glavin during the Women's Super League at The Fr. Mathew Arena. Picture; Eddie O'Hare
COUTESY of a 46-point contribution from Ariel Johnson, Fr Mathew's got back to winning ways in the Women’s Super League after a comfortable win over University of Galway Mystics at the Fr Mathew’s Arena on Saturday.
Following their shock defeat at Portlaoise Panthers, Mathew’s were intent on getting back to winning ways and seldom looked in trouble against a side that has struggled for the majority of this campaign.
The home side were without American Shannon Brady for the second consecutive week and they missed her physical presence at the post. Kara McCleane gave the visitors the perfect start with a basket in the opening minute only for American Ariel Johnson to reply with an instant basket.
The Galway side were intent on running the ball and when Emma Galvin drove to the hoop in the third minute the sides were on parity at six points each. In fairness, Mystics have no professional in their ranks but whether that’s good for the league is debatable.
To be fair their Irish players are wholehearted and if they had two professionals they would be competitive against the elite sides in this league.
Strangely Mathew’s sole American Johnson saw very little of the ball in the opening six minutes but Amy Murphy showed her shooting skills a minute later with a three-pointer and basket that gave the home team an 18-9 lead.
The introduction of Abby Murphy proved a positive move for coach Pat Price and when she banked a shot with 44 seconds remaining it gave the home side a 12-point lead: 25-13.
A buzzer-beater three-pointer from Aisha Kaid ensured Mathew’s took a 15 point into the second period. On the restart Mathew’s defence went into meltdown and three minutes into the quarter the lead was reduced to seven points but Johnson replied with a basket and bonus.
Johnson was now showing the skills she is capable of and a minute later she went coast to coast to coast and registered another basket and bonus.
The home side were now in the ascendancy and another Johnson basket increased their lead to 20 points with Grainne Dwyer coming off injured five minutes to the interval. As the quarter matured one could sense that Mystics were running out of gas and when Dwyer returned to action a basket gave the home side a 53-31 lead.
To be fair Mystics were relying on shooting outside the arc to keep them within striking distance but sometimes that can hurt teams. Mystics had the last possession of the half but despite Karen McCleane getting a clear look they failed to register a badly needed basket as they trailed 57-36 at the break.
Shannon Cunningham got Mystics off to the perfect start with a basket following a turnover and Sarah Messier followed up with another basket.
Mathew’s responded in style and with Niamh Dwyer and Johnson dictating affairs in the offence court it was no surprise their lead increased to 28 points in the 23rd minute.
The remainder of the quarter was about both sides playing in spurts and entering the final quarter Mathew’s remained in control with a 23-point lead.
Cpoming down the stretch the tempo dropped but despite Mathew’s using various rotations they were always in control and they secured the points in style.
A Johnson 46, N Dwyer 16, G Dwyer 16, A Murphy 14.
S Messier 17, E Glavin 14, S Cunningham 13.
P Persson (Cork), N Podolsak (Cavan).
App?
