Senior Woman through to Cup Finals
SL Colliers vs Glasgow University
March 8th, 2015 @ Duncanrig Sports Centre
SLBA Cup Semi Final
Glasgow University travelled to Duncanrig Sports Centre in East Kilbride to take on the Colliers senior women in the semi final of the SLBA League Cup after a convincing win against Glasgow Eagles in the round 1.
The teams have met twice already in the league this year with the Colliers coming out on top in both games. The Colliers got off to a great start setting a fast pace for Glasgow to keep up with. Alison McCusker opened the scoring for the Colliers and Alison Mitchell also contributed 13 of the Colliers 22 points.
Uni managed to keep the game close scoring 14 points, 6 of them coming from their main threat, Jenna Beattie.
The second quarter didn't go quite as the Colliers had hoped. Uni's physical style of play was a shock to the Colliers and had an impact on their performance throughout the quarter. Uni took full advantage of this, outscoring the Colliers 16-10 and finishing the quarter down just 2 points. Half time score: SL Colliers 32 - 30 Glasgow University.
Going into the third quarter the Colliers looked to regain the momentum that had slipped away in the 2nd. Team Captain Alison McCusker set the tone defensively for the Colliers by making life difficult for Uni's Jenna Beattie. This led to the Colliers stretching the lead to 10 points within the first 5 minutes.
They didn't give up, working hard to keep the Colliers within reach but they just didn't have an answer for the Colliers aggressive start. Uni finished the quarter down 12 with everything to do if they wanted to make it to the cup finals.
With the Colliers point guard, Rhona Mitchell, on the bench injured as a result of a collision late in the 3rd, they had to look to Joyce Carey & Claire Brunton to take on the role & lead the team. The girls stepped up when they were needed and helped the team maintain their pace and further extend their lead.
Uni kept up their intensity throughout trying to claw back the commanding lead the Colliers had gained. In the end it proved too big a hurdle for the Glasgow team to overcome and the Colliers secured the win and their place in the SLBA League Cup Final.
Final Score: SL Colliers 81 - 55 Glasgow University
Point Guard Rhona Mitchell commented: "I’m really happy and proud of the team for making it to the final of the cup for the first time.”
“Glasgow University are a tough team to play and our most physical opponents this season but we pulled off a convincing victory against them by working hard and playing as a team.
“The support from everyone watching the game was amazing and makes such a difference in big games so thank you to all the Colliers support!"
