Final Score: Trinity College 75–86 Griffith College
Half-time: Trinity College 54–45 Griffith College
Top scorers Trinity: A.Learn 23, C.Mulligan 20, A.Moley Stoltz 16, F.Treiliha 13,
Top Scorers GC: A.Roden 31, K.Vaile 26, A.Phillips 18, M.Helms 11
In an highly anticipated matchup, Trinity Basketball’s Women’s Varsity team took on Griffith College in the NBCC Women’s D1 League final at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.
After playing their semifinal less than 24 hours prior, there were questions going into the game about Trinity’s energy levels. However, Sean Mulligan’s side were the stronger team at the start. Led by Captain Ciara Mulligan, Trinity could not miss in the first quarter. The fifth-year veteran poured in 13 first quarter points, showcasing incredible offensive versatility. Midrange, 3-point, free-throws and inside the paint – no matter where Mulligan shot from, the ball went in. Trinity’s hot start was highly influenced from Ava Learn’s dominance on the boards early on. The 6 ‘1 American centre grabbed almost every single loose ball, which helped Trinity advance the ball quickly in transition and get second-hand opportunities on offence. Avelina Moley Stoltz profited from a quick outlet pass from a Learn rebound as TCD jumped out to a six-point advantage after the first quarter.
Trinity continued to put pressure on Griffith College to begin the second quarter, with Franciska Treiliha finding a cutting Learn with a bullet pass for an easy bucket. Then Mulligan, Learn and Moley Stoltz drained jump shots as TCD’s lead extended to double digits. Trinity was in an incredible offensive flow, moving the ball beautifully to break down Griffith’s zone defence and knocking down their shots. However, despite struggling on defence, Griffith were able to stay within striking distance through their admirable offensive talent and play. Their experienced trio of Roden, Phillips and Helms proved a formidable challenge for Trinity to slow down. With their impressive ball handling and quickness, Griffith’s guards continuously created space for midrange shots in the middle of the key, which they converted. The battle between Vaile and Learn inside the paint was extremely physical, with both bigs giving it their absolute all. Vaile scored from inside the post a few times towards the end of the quarter, before Learn sank a crucial 3-point shot at the buzzer. At halftime, Trinity led by nine.
Trinity’s pinpoint 3-point shooting did not carry through into the second half. A shaky start, with TCD going scoreless for the first three minutes of the quarter, allowed Griffith to bridge the gap to just five points. GC continued to rely on midrange shots, as Darren McGovern’s side nailed five jumpers in the quarter alone. Treiliha tried to shift the momentum back into Trinity’s favour with some aggressive takes to the basket. However, entering the final quarter, Trinity held a five-point lead with the momentum slowly shifting in the opposition’s favour.
The fourth quarter began with two quick baskets from Treiliha and Learn. Griffith responded through Audrey Roden. The crafty American guard scored 13 points in the deciding quarter, using various crossover and step-back moves to create separation and drain pull-up jump shots. With just seven minutes left in the game, Trinity’s defensive anchor Ava Learn fouled out, which was a major blow for TCD. In Learn’s absence, Eleanor Fitzsimons and Caoimhe Gilligan provided some exceptional perimeter defence while Ciara Mulligan did an astonishing job defending a much bigger Vaile. Nevertheless, Trinity could not slow down Griffith’s fast-paced offence while, at the same time, Trinity struggled to break down GC’s zone defence without their star centre. Despite passionate efforts again from Treiliha on both ends of the court to try to instil a late Trinity comeback, the duo of Roden and Vaile punished TCD on multiple late rotations as Griffith College claimed the D1 Women’s Title with a 16-point last quarter swing.
The loss represents the Women’s Varsity team’s first loss in a NBCC competition since May 2024. Yet the squad still have plenty of time to regroup as now they turn their attention towards Colours on March 26th and defending their D1 Varsity title for the third consecutive season at the start of April.
Quarter Scores:
Q1: 26-20 Q2: 28-25
Q3: 13-17 Q4: 8-24
Game Scores:
Q1: 26-20 Q2: 54-45
Q3: 67-62 Q4: 75-86
Trinity College: #4 Avelina Moley Stoltz, #6 Rebecca Schmidt, #8 Aoibhin Dunne, #9 Aoife Quinn Nealon, #10 Caoimhe Gilligan, #11 Ciara Mulligan (C), #13 Franciska Treiliha, #14 Ava Learn, #16 Aimée Flynn, #19 Ríona Grealy, #20 Eleanor Fitzsimons
Head Coach: Sean Mulligan
Griffith College: #2 Makenzie Helms, #5 Autumn Philips, #11 Ella Heaney, #20 Kayce Vaile, #21 Audrey Roden, #24 Hussaina Hussaina
Head Coach: Darren McGovern
