Mercy bag the big baskets to retain crown

DCU MERCY retained their Women’s SuperLeague National Cup title when they disposed of Team Montenotte in a disappointing final at the National Basketball Arena yesterday.

In a game littered with poor shooting and passing options, DCU found the big baskets in the third quarter, and that proved decisive.

In an explosive start to the opening quarter, DCU, helped by the superb shooting of Suzanne Maguire, surged into a six point lead.

Montenotte were struggling on the boards but a monstrous three-pointer from Amanda O’Regan cut the deficit to three in the sixth minute.

The introduction of Clodagh Scannell helped Montenotte but a late Peat basket surged DCU into a 16-11 lead at the end of the quarter.

The standard of basketball did not improve in the second period but a Shauna O’Connor three pointer eased the champions into a 26-22 lead.

In the five minutes before the interval both teams wasted more scoring opportunities but a Grainne Dwyer basket with six seconds remaining gave Montenotte a slender 29-28 lead.

The third quarter proved the turning point. DCU failed to score for the opening eight minutes but Montenotte failed to capitalise and only commanded a six-point lead.

Suddenly, a three-pointer apiece from Suzanne Maguire and Shauna O’Connor tied the game at 34 points each entering a final quarter in which DCU only amassed six points, with Montenotte registering five.

Coming down the stretch quality shooting from Maguire closed the game out and with five minutes remaining DCU had surged into a 45-39 lead.

With nothing dropping for Montenotte, their opponents punished them at will and when the final buzzer sounded DCU players danced with delight.

Winning coach Mark Ingle said: “When we play Montenotte the players know each other so well sometimes it can look like a game of chess.

“Although our shots did not drop I told my players to keep persevering as it was only a matter of time before the Montenotte guard would drop.

“This is a very proud moment for all concerned at the club, and in particular for the our sponsors, DCU, who have put so much into our progress at this level.

For MVP Suzanne Maguire it was a day to savour: “I am collecting this award on behalf of my team-mates as it was a team performance when the game hung in the balance.”