Brunell basketballers fall short in cracker with Super League leaders Waterford Wildcats
Brunell’s Deaja Richardson gets a high five from her teammates after scoring against the Wildcats. Picture: Chani Anderson
Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell lost to SETU Waterford Wildcats in a very exciting Domino’s Women’s Super League encounter at the GUC Parochial Arena yesterday afternoon.
The playoffs will decide the champions though, so there is still some distance to go before the silverware is handed out.
Brunell led 42-36 at the break with big contributions by Americans Trinity Hudson (13) and Deaja Richardson (10) and Irish captain Edel Thornton (12), while the Hickey sisters Sarah and Kate had 20 points between them for Wildcats.
The second half of the game was played a a ferocious pace with the lead changing hands numerous times. However, Wildcats just about held on to win a very exciting game.
The game started at a furious pace with Deaja Richardson running in two breakaway layups for Brunell and Orla Dullaghan adding two buckets for Wildcats with the game level 4-4 two minutes into the opening period.
Wildcats surged into an 15-8 lead with a huge effort beyond the arc and an offensive rebound and put back by Maria Rodriguez with 3.12 remaining in the quarter. Brunell upped their defence pressure and were rewarded with two baskets by Edel Thornton and Richardson to reduce the deficit 18-14 to enter the second period.
The visitors increased their lead 22-16 with baskets from Kate Hickey and Ashia McCalla, however, a basket by Trinity Hudson and a monstrous three followed by two foul shots gave Brunell a 24-22 advantage.
Wildcats regained their lead 34-29 with baskets from Chelsea Cian and Sarah Hickey, however, when Hudson nailed a three and a powerful drive to the basket the game was tied 34-34. The home side finished the quarter with another basket by Hudson and a buzzer-beating three by Thornton to lead 42-36 at the half.
Wildcats reduced their deficit 42-40 two minutes into the third quarter with baskets by Sarah Hickey and McCalla however, a big three from Ava Walshe and a pair of foul shots by Hudson had Brunell leading 54-47 minutes through the period. A powerful move to the basket by Kate Hickey made it a one-possession game for Wildcats to trail 56-53 to enter the final quarter.
The visitors started the final quarter with baskets by the Hickey sisters to regain the lead 59-56, however, a baseline three by Meagan O’Leary tied the game 61-61 three minutes into the period. The lead changed hands a number of times in the closing minutes of the game.
Although Brunell showed plenty of fighting spirit it was league leaders Wildcats who were able to find the vital baskets to secure the victory.
Edel Thornton 18, Trinity Hudson 17, Deaja Richardson 16.
Kate Hickey 20, Sarah Hickey 20, Ashia McCalla 14.
Kelly Sexton, Laura Hannigan, Ava Walshe, Danielle O’Leary, Issy McSweeney, Edel Thornton, Trinity Hudson, Abbie Lyons, Deaja Richardson, Clodagh Downey, Meagan O’Leary.
Isabelle Daniels, Kate Hickey, Orla Dullaghan, Helena Rohan, Sarah Hickey, Aoife Brett, Ashia McCalla, Ardiana Shallci, Miriam-Anna Rasenberger, Sinead Deegan, Lucia Rodriguez, Chelsea Cian.
Pelle Persson (Cork), Kevin Robinson (Dublin).
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