NUIG Mystics off to flier in National League

Tralee 48

NUIG Mystics basketballers travelled to Tralee on Saturday last for their first game of the new season.

This was billed as a tough start as Tralee were League winners and Cup finalists last season. To add to this, NUIG were missing three team members due to unavailability and injury for this game.

The Galway women started with a first five of Hannah Coen, Lauren Murray, Michelle McCaughern, Meadhbh Campbell and Siobhan McGowan. They got on top early in the game with McCaughern having a strong first quarter and the guards working hard in defence, cutting out Tralee's offensive threat. The quarter ended 18-8 in favour of Mystics.

The second quarter was even more dominant for Mystics on the scoring front and they held Tralee to just six points. Mystics introduced Kate Lyons and Georgina Martin and they contributed well, pulling rebounds and defending with great intensity. Hannah Coen was dominant on the boards, both defensively and offensively in this quarter. At the half, NUIG Mystics led 29 to 14.

The third quarter saw Mystics come out strongly with their press working well and, equally so, their offence with Coen, Murray, McCaughern, Lyons and Martin all registering scores. This typified the Mystics performance on the day as it was a real team effort with great help provided on all areas of the floor.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.