Uniquely Tralee Warriors secured their first points of the season with a 50-41 victory over Swords Thunder at the AALSA in Dublin on Saturday evening in Round 4 of the Domino’s Women’s National League Division One.
Amy Cotton once again led the way with an outstanding 23 points and 20 rebounds, recording her fourth consecutive double-double performance in a row. Following defeats to Abbey Seals Dublin Lions, Limerick Sport Huskies and Moy Tolka Rovers, the Warriors finally got their campaign up and running with a hard-earned win, holding off a late Swords rally in the final quarter.
Swords made the brighter start, with Jahnae Gyles, Niamh O’Donovan and Brahe Ashton establishing an early 7-4 lead. However, baskets from Meabh Barry and Priya O’Donovan, alongside scores from Cotton and Deirdre Geaney, helped Warriors level the contest. Cotton then confidently swished a major score late on to give the visitors a 15-12 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Defences dominated the second period, with Megan Howe briefly reducing the gap to one but scores from Anna O’Sullivan and Geaney restored a five-point advantage. Gyles hit a three-pointer to keep Swords right in the game but a Warriors scoring run from Niamh O’Connor, O’Sullivan and Cotton extended the advantage, and another major from Cotton saw the visitors lead by 6. Meabh Barry converted two from two from the line late in the half to leave the Warriors 30-22 ahead at the break.
Scores remained hard to get for both sides in the third quarter, but Cotton continued to dominate in her individual battles, restoring a double-digit advantage midway through the quarter. Holly O’Brien marked her return with scores from the free-throw line and the field, while an and-one finish from Cotton helped the Warriors take a 40-31 lead into the final quarter.
Swords threatened a comeback early in the fourth, with two baskets from Gyles cutting the deficit to five. Cotton responded at the other end before Ashton struck from beyond the arc to hint at a Swords comeback. However, four points in two minutes from O’Sullivan steadied the Warriors ship, and despite another late three from Ashton, O’Sullivan hit the final score of the game to seal the valuable 50-41 victory in the end
Scorers
Swords Thunder: Jahnae Gyles 14, Brahe Ashton 10, Zara Troy 4, Niamh O’Donovan 4.
Uniquely Tralee Warriors: Amy Cotton 23, Anna O’Sullivan 10, Deirdre Geaney 6.
The Warriors return home next Saturday, October 31, to face Hermitage Clinic Ongar Chasers at Mercy Mounthawk, with tip-off scheduled for 3pm.