University of Galway Mystics faced National Cup champions Limerick Sport Huskies at the Kingfisher on Sunday afternoon, with the visitors claiming an 85–53 victory. Huskies made a very strong start, finishing the first quarter ahead by 28-5. Shelby Harmeyer proved a constant threat for the Huskies early on, scoring 15 points in the first quarter alone, including three three-pointers. Mystics scored 17 points in the second quarter, with six points from Bella Quinn, but could not keep up with the clinical finishing of the Huskies, who led 52-22 by halftime. The game was more evenly balanced after half-time. Emma Glavin led the charge for Mystics in the third quarter with nine points, and Mystics finished strongly to win the final quarter 18–17. Despite the late improvement from the home side, Huskies remained in control and secured a definitive win. Emma Glavin and Kara McCleane led the scoring for Mystics with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Harmeyer finished with an incredible 34 points for the Huskies, followed by Clara Gomez with 14 and Orlaith Woods with 11.
Reflecting on the game, Head Coach Paul Langan said, “We came up against a very strong Huskies side and found ourselves under pressure early, but I was pleased with how we responded in the second half. There were positives to take, particularly the effort and balance we showed after half-time.”
Sunday’s result leaves the University of Galway Mystics in ninth place in the Division One league standings with four wins from 14 games. Positioned just outside the end-of-season playoff positions, this increases pressure to get positive results in the remaining four games. Individually, Emma Glavin continues to impress in the National Division One league, ranking in the top 10 for points scored, three-pointers and blocks, while Kara McCleane features in the top 10 for rebounds, free throws, blocks, and steals.
University of Galway Mystics return to action on the road this weekend, travelling to Dublin to face Swords Thunder on Saturday, 14 February, with tip-off at 5.30 pm.
Photo: University of Galway Mystics’ Kara McCleane and Limerick Sport Huskies’ Orlaith Woods in action at the Basketball Ireland Domino’s Women’s Division One game on Saturday, with Demetra Yennari and Simone O’Shea in the background. (Photo: John O’Brien)
