Killester produce excellent fourth quarter display to blitz UCC Glanmire in National Cup semi-final
Killester's Hannah Thornton and Audrey Roden celebrate winning. Pic: Tom Maher/Inpho
Killester produced champagne basketball in the fourth quarter that blitzed UCC Glanmire in a highly competitive Women’s National cup semi-final at the Neptune stadium on Saturday.
In a game that was competitive for three quarters Glanmire squandered a number of easy scoring opportunities when the game hung in the balance during the third period.
In the end Killester showed their artillery coming down the stretch to run out comfortable winners with Michelle Clarke, Samantha Haiby and Leva Bagdanaviciene leading their scorers.
It only took 30 seconds for Maeve o Seaghada to nail a stunning shot outside the arc only for the Glanmire American Viana Cumber to level proceedings with a basket and bonus.
It was evident both sides were going for the jugular and when the Killester American Audrey Roden went coast to coast in the third minute it edged her side into a three- point lead 10-7.
Glanmire did get a run on their Dublin opponents and consecutive baskets from Claire O’Sullivan helped them race into a four- point lead in the eight minute.
The Killester ace American Samantha Haiby who missed a league game prior to this clash didn’t look comfortable but just before being substituted in the final minute she did manage to nail a three pointer.
Glanmire through guts and determination led 22-18 entering the second quarter but it was Killester who started this period better with a brace of Leva Bagdanaviciene baskets that edged them ahead by the minimum in the 14th minute.
Midway through this period both teams were struggling to score as defence was now being played with sheer intensity.
The return of Haiby certainly helped Killester as she now looked to finding her rhythm shooting a three pointer and two free throws that had the Clontarf side leading 33-28 with three minutes remaining to the interval.
Watkins came to the rescue of Glanmire when the game threatened to run away from them, but a couple of careless turnovers halted their revival.
Aine McKenna one of the longest serving players at this level made an impact with 45 seconds remaining when hitting a lovely baseline jumper that reduce the deficit to two points with Killester calling a time out.
On the resumption Bagdanaviciene punished Glanmire with an error and it was the Dublin side that took a four- point interval lead 37-33.
A steal from Watkins saw her fouled on route to the basket that gave the Cork side the perfect start only for Michelle Clarke to respond with consecutive baskets.
In at two minute spell Glanmire missed some easy tips with the ball failing to drop at crucial times.
It looked for long periods of this quarter that Killester were struggling but Glanmire couldn’t punish them despite getting numerous scoring opportunities.
In the closing minutes both sides increased the tempo but a late Hannah Thornton lay-up ensured Killester had a four point cushion 52-48 entering the fourth quarter.
Clarke showed her class with a three pointer on the restart and suddenly Killester were in overdrive as they surged into a nine- point lead.
Midway through the quarter Killester commanded a nine- point lead before Haiby stepped up and made it a 12- point game with a monstrous three pointer.
Coming down the stretch Glanmire fatigued as the class of Killester ensured they play Liffey Celtics on Sunday January 18 in a repeat lf last year’s final that the Kildare side won.
M Clarke (20), S Haiby (19), L Bagdanaviciene (16).
J Watkins (32), V Cumber (13), E Dunne (8).
A Elliot, M Clarke, S Haiby, L Turner, S Courtney, S Power, A Roden, A Connolly, L McFarland, L Bagdanaviciene, H Thornton, M O Seaghda.
A McKenna, J O’Shea, C O’Sullivan, A Murphy, M Furlong, J Watkins, M Loughrey, L Walsh, E Dunne, F McDonnell, A Dooley, V Cumber.
 E Perry (Dublin), J Dooley (Portlaoise), PJ Coughlan (Cork).
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