Cork Basketball: Brunell battle past Wildcats for vital Women's Super League victory
Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell's Maddie Cluse on the move against Waterford Wildcats' Tiarra Brown during the Domino's Women's Super League game at the Parochial Hall. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
A welcome return to winning ways in the Domino’s Women’s Super League for Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell with a hard-earned win over Waterford Wildcats at the GCU Arena on Saturday.
In a game that could have gone either way a late rally by Brunell, after Wildcats looked poised for victory, got them over the line with Americans Brailyn Joseph (24) and Maddie Cluse leading their scoring.
The home team began playing in your face defence but they were punished in the opening two minutes with a three-pointer from Sanija Brikname and a neat jumper from Kate Hickey. It got worse for Brunell when Tiarra Brown increased it to seven points in the third minute.
Brunell captain Edel Thornton responded with a basket and bonus but immediately Wildcats responded with a stunning three-pointer Alysa Frescas that gave them a 12-3 lead.
Liam Culloty called a much-needed time out as his side were at sea at both ends of the court. Brunell improved and when Maddie Cluse nailed a monstrous three in the sixth minute, the deficit was reduced to four.
A full court press upset Wildcats as Brunell took them out of their comfort zone and a late drive to the hoop from Joseph yielded a basket that gave the home team a 24-23 lead entering the second quarter.
On the restart, Francesca Kyamagero finished in style following a fast break as it was evident the home side had responded to the wake-up call.
The visitors were battling hard and with Brown showing nice touches at the post the game was finally poised midway through the quarter with Brunell still up, 34-33.
When Thornton drained two free throws in the 16th minute, it gave the home side a six-point lead.
In the closing minutes of this quarter, the scoring dried up but with the home side calling a time-out in possession with 2.53 remaining they still had a five-point cushion.
Turnovers at crucial times hampered Brunell’s progress as Wildcats stayed the pace and a Kate Hickey basket tied the game with 43 seconds remaining.
Orla Dullaghan managed to edge Wildcats ahead, but a late Joseph basket ensured the teams were on parity 45-45 at the break.
Kelly Sexton gave Brunell the perfect start to the third quarter with a neat jumper that was followed by a Thornton three.
On each occasion, Brunell looked to be taking control the Hickey sisters Kate and Sarah came up with big baskets as the home side still led by five points midway through the quarter.
The basketball in this period was scrappy as both sides continued to make errors but Joseph came up trumps again with two minutes remaining with a tip that gave the home side a seven-point lead.
Wildcats did respond with consecutive baskets but a magnificent buzzer-beater from Megan O’Leary was good enough to extend the Brunell lead to eight points, 69-61, entering the fourth quarter.
The Waterford side responded and looked likely to cause an upset before Brunell found another gear in the closing minutes to snatch a win at the death.
B Joseph 24, M Cluse 21, E Thornton 16.
S Hickey 25, T Brown 16, S Brikmane 16.
K Sexton, C Downey, A Walshe, M O’Leary, E Thornton, I McSweeney, F Kyamagro, K Walshe, A Lyons, B Joseph, M Cluse, R Bowdren.
I Daniels, K Hickey, O Dullaghan, H Rohan, S Hickey, A Brett, A Shallci, S Brikname, A Frescas, M Stone, T Brown.
Leanne Ahern (Limerick), Audrius Pauliukenas (Portlaoise).
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