Glanmire basketballers in total control against Porlaoise Panthers
Jewel Watkins, UCC Glanmire, in action against Lynn Tunnah, Portlaoise Panthers, at the Mardyke Arena. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Another win for Career Decisions UCC Glanmire as they produced controlled basketball to see off Portlaoise Panthers in the Domino’s Women’s Super League at the Mardyke Arena on Sunday.
In truth Glanmire didn’t have to come out of first gear for long periods and although the midlanders started the game well their challenge soon petered out once Glanmire found their rhythm.
Coach Mark Scannell has assembled a decent squad and they will most certainly have a major say in the destiny of the title.
In the opening two possessions the sides shared a basket each before the Glanmire American Jewel Watkins nailed a long-range three-pointer.
The visitors were sharing the ball well and they levelled proceedings with a stunning Lynn Tunnah shot outside the paint.
Credit to both sides they were playing up tempo basketball and in the fourth minute a brace of Watkins free throws edged the home side into a five-point lead.
Glanmire were getting many looks but their finishing was poor and after seven minutes all they had accumulated was a mere 12 points.
The introduction of Mia Furlong saw her drain a pinpoint shot outside the arc but a basket and a second three from Tunnah ensured Portlaoise reduced the deficit to four points entering the second quarter 18-14.
On the resumption a Ciara Byrne dagger outside the paint and suddenly it was a one-point game.
Annaliese Murphy showed her eye for the basket with a three and basket and suddenly it was a nine-point game in the 13th minute.
Murphy was simply magnificent in this period as she added a third shot outside the paint and when Faye McDonnell got in for an unchallenged lay-up the Glanmire lead increased to 13 points midway through the quarter.
Consecutive three pointers from Claire O’Sullivan and suddenly the home looked to be gaining total control.
O’Sullivan has been in tremendous form this season and in my book is still one of the most athletic players in the Super League.
In the closing minutes, Glanmire failed to close out the game and a late Tunnah basket reduced the deficit to 14 points at the interval 45-31.
The Glanmire half-time stats read that had made 10/22 inside the paint (57%) and 7/16 outside the arc that gave them a 45% reading.
There is little doubt coach Scannell will have been disappointed with some slack defending in the opening 20 minutes, but his side looked in pole position entering the second half.
On the restart Watkins cut through the Panthers' defence with ease but credit to the viistors they responded, and the lead was down to 10 points in the 22nd minute.
Emer Dunne has been a great signing for Glanmire and you can see as the season’s matured she has improved big time.
As the quarter matured, Glanmire continued to nail baskets for fun and with Americans Cumber and Watkins always capable of knocking down key baskets it was no surprise they took a 32-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Coming down the stretch Glanmire could afford to use various rotations as the Panthers looked a side in total meltdown.
No matter what rotation Glanmire used in this period it made little difference as they continued to share the ball in a professional manner.
In the end despite putting in a good shift they were basically outscored, outplayed and outfought by a quality Glanmire side.
A nice 60th Birthday present for the Glanmire coach.
V Cumber 23, A Murphy 19, J Watkins 16, C O’Sullivan 15.
L Tunnah 13, J Fressle 11, C Byrne 9.
A McKenna, J O’Shea, C O’Sullivan, A Murphy, M Furlong, J Watkins, M Loughrey, L Walsh, E Dunne, F McDonnell.
H Dunne, S Dooley, C Byrne, M Dunne, L Tunnah, J Burke, A Byrne, E Kennington, C Boiko, J Fressle, S Fleming, A Velles.
Catriona White (Dublin), Tara Dunphy (Dublin).
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