Mustangs played their fourth game of the season at home in De la Salle on Tuesday last against Longford Falcons. The Mustangs’ start to this game was much improved on their previous performances in this season to date. The Mustangs’ opening quarter was sufficiently damaging to hurt the travelling side to an almost non recovery state - scoring 24 points to Falcon’s 9 points, with player- coach, Siobhan Kilkenny, Grainne Flynn and Ciara Griffin, on combined scores of 20 points, with steals and fast breaks causing much of the damage.
Defensively, Mustangs worked very hard for the second quarter, limiting the Longford side to only four points. Kilkenny consistently created points with confident outside shooting from Grace Howley, who finished on 6 and 8 points respectively - and the steals kept coming. The sides finished at half time on 42-13 points.
Coach Kilkenny used the entire bench for the third and fourth quarters with industrious work from one of this year’s newcomers, Indre Gusciuviene, who scored an impressive basket from an aerial offensive rebound. Griffin ran out this third quarter with three consecutive baskets, including two fast breaks and a sweet shot inside the key. The quarter finished 57-20.
Kilkenny used the fourth quarter to try different player combinations between the posts and guards. Once again, Mercy Okojie towered inside the zone. A total of six Mustang players scored in this quarter and it was Lorna Moran who finished the game with a basket made, whilst being fouled - and comfortably made her free throw. With more than 13 steals by Mustangs in this game, Falcons lost the wind beneath their wings and with double digit offensive and defensive rebounds, their fate was sealed in what was an amicable game overall. Final scoreline 70-28 to Mustangs.
Mustangs scorers: Siobhan Kilkenny 17pts, Grainne Flynn 9pts, Ciara Griffin 14pts, Orla Brennan, Lorna Moran 7pts, Mercy Okojie, Karen Mulherin 8pts, Indre Majauskaite- Gusciuviene 2pts, Grace Howley 13pts.
Mustangs would like to thank the match sponsor on the night, Dave O’Malley of D. O’Malley & Associates, Consulting Engineers & Architects and the Castlebar, Newport and Crossmolina contingency of supporters, who make the efforts even more worthwhile.
The next league game for Mustangs is at home (De la Salle 8.15pm tip off ) to Western Warriors from Strokestown on Tuesday, December 18, in what should be a hotly contested battle. In the interim, Mustangs will travel to Spain for the Murcia Masters Tournament from December 7 to 10.
