Montenotte enjoy comfortable win against Brunell
The reigning champions, who lost their last two league games, were determined to get back to winning ways and they were quickest from the blocks, with Niamh Dwyer dictating from the point.
A superb coast-to-coast from Claire Rockall ensured Montenotte led 26-10 entering the second quarter.
The home side piled on the pressure and, with defence playing a key role, Montenotte looked comfortable at the break when commanding a 20-point lead.
Brunell were struggling to contain the pressure of Montenotte’s full-court press and, entering the fourth quarter, they still trailed 58-41.
Coming down the stretch, coach Mark Scannell could afford to use various rotations as he reflected on a crucial win for his side.
“I was pleased with the intensity we played with from tip off to the finish and I think we put this game to bed in the first half,” Scannell said.
He knows his team needed this win, but he is also under no illusions that the forthcoming National Cup quarter-final will be a different game.
“We have it all to do again in the cup but, to be honest, I am confident my players will rise to the occasion. Tonight was all about getting back to playing the basketball we are capable of and we did it in style.”
C Rockall, N Dwyer, G Dwyer, M Breen, M Byrne, E O’Mahony, H Lenihan, C Grace, L Ann Wilkinson A O’Regan, A McKenna, C Alford.
R Lyall, A Moynihan, O Connolly, A Waters, D O’Leary, M O’Leary, A Dineen, A Kearney, C O’Sullivan, G O’Mahony, A Murphy, K Kilpatrick.
Peter James Coughlan (Cork) & Alex Kremlankas (Kerry).
