On Thursday, March 26th, the annual Basketball Colours game took place in the UCD Sports Centre between Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin. This year’s format included four games, with the score from the two fresher games combined to create a best-of-three matchup.
Fresher Games
The Women’s Fresher game tipped off at 2:30pm, with both colleges looking to gain an early advantage. UCD came out firing on all cylinders, backed by an intense crowd. UCD’s guards Aisling Moran and Riodhna McGrath proved difficult for Trinity to contain. Using their excellent ball-handling and electric pace, the pair attacked the basket relentlessly as UCD built an early double-digit lead. Trinity struggled to score against UCD’s smothering perimeter defence. Jodi Geaney was TCD’s biggest early threat; a long-range 3-pointer helped stretch the defence before she used her height and length to attack from the low block. Despite valiant efforts from Benito Massa, Fernandez, McCabe and Marrinan, UCD’s high-paced offence proved too much for Trinity, as they established a lead they would never relinquish. In the second half, a determined and prideful Rebecca Schmidt scored eight points for TCD, with some elegant drives to the basket. In the end, however, UCD took the opening game with a comfortable 50-21 victory.
Morale was low for Trinity’s Men’s Fresher team entering their game, as the competition format meant they effectively started 29 points behind. However, an inspiring speech from coach Thomas McCourt lifted the team’s spirit, and Trinity began as the stronger side. Trinity’s 2-3 zone defence forced UCD into turnovers in which they capitalised from. Led by their high-speed backcourt of Diego Bodas Gallego and Calvin Medidas, Trinity pushed the pace on the fast break and built an early lead. As UCD’s transition defence improved, Danielius Cerniauskas was introduced to steady the ship. With his trademark calm and controlled nature, he orchestrated Trinity’s offence superbly, dictating the tempo and delivering pinpoint passes. Despite their strong start, TCD only led by four at halftime. The second half, however, told a very different story, as Trinity struggled offensively, managing just 10 points. UCD’s Maguire and Hayes took control, scoring at will. Gabriel Paunica and Elias Mocik attempted to spark a comeback with some determined drives to the basket, but it proved insufficient as UCD secured a 38-29 victory.
Women’s Varsity Game
In order to keep Trinity’s hopes alive, the Women’s Varsity team knew they had to win their clash. However, it was UCD who started strongly, with Aisling Moran returning to action again after the fresher game, knocking down two huge 3-pointers to ignite the home crowd. Trinity captain Ciara Mulligan responded with strong leadership and composure, hitting crucial shots to quiet the crowd and prevent the game from slipping away early. After the first, UCD led by four. But the second quarter belonged to Trinity, who outscored UCD by 10. Caoimhe Gilligan provided a major spark off the bench, leading Trinity in scoring with 14 points including four pivotal 3-pointers. Trinity’s squad depth was on full display, with multiple players making an immediate impact. Riona Grealy and Eleanor Fitzsimons secured vital rebounds while Bree Shelley, Rebecca Schmidt and Avelina Moley Stoltz posed constant threats on the perimeter with their tight ball-handling and agility. Back-to-back baskets from Shelley and Grealy pushed Trinity’s lead to six entering halftime.
The second half began slowly, with both teams struggling to put the ball in the basket. Trinity produced several huge defensive plays, with Mulligan and Gilligan each recording emphatic blocks. UCD’s Sinéad Keane stepped up, scoring 11 of her 15 in the half. Her composed and crafty drives kept UCD within striking distance, as TCD entered the final quarter with a slender one-point lead. When momentum seemed to be turning in UCD’s favour, a cold, calculated 3-pointer from Franciska Treiliha helped halt their run. Gilligan followed with another three, as Trinity quickly regained control. Moving the ball unselfishly, TCD’s patience created high-quality scoring opportunities and trips to the free-throw line. A late push from UCD cut the deficit to three points with under 10 seconds remaining, giving them a chance to force overtime. However, excellent defensive communication and switching from Trinity resulted in a crucial stop, securing a narrow but well-deserved three-point victory. Final score was 47-44.
Men’s Varsity Game
With the score tied 1-1 entering the final game, both teams felt the pressure and significance of the decider. Hot 3-point shooting from UCD saw Trinity fall seven points behind within the opening minutes. It looked as though UCD might run away with it early, but Trinity refused to go down without a fight. Led by captain Daniel O’Toole, TCD responded with a barrage of three-pointers of their own. O’Toole was a standout in the first half, scoring 12 points from jump shots alone, as Trinity fed the hot hand. However, UCD maintained their offensive intensity, with their fluid ball movement causing persistent problems for TCD’s defence. By the end of the first quarter, UCD led by 10. Trinity responded again, increasing their defensive intensity and converting defence into offence. Three consecutive 3-pointers from Agosti, O’Toole and Tiernan brought Trinity level early in the second quarter. Moments later, Trinity Sport Scholar Cian Tiernan dropped his defender with a slick in-and-out move before finishing at the rim to give Trinity their first lead of the game. After a period of back-and-forth scoring, the sides went into halftime tied at 34-34.
Trinity opened the second half in a zone defence, but UCD’s sharp ball movement repeatedly broke it down, forcing a switch back to man-to-man. Jan Eric Brandt kept Trinity in the game with a contested 3-pointer and strong drives to the basket. Yet, UCD’s offensive rhythm proved relentless late in the third quarter, creating high-quality scoring opportunities at will. Two perfectly executed alley-oop plays dealt a major blow to Trinity, as Murray Baker’s side built a lead which they would not look back from. In the last quarter, Trinity showed huge heart, with Tiernan and Brandt combining for 12 points in a late comeback attempt. However, Eoin McNeile delivered the final blow, with a thunderous slam dunk, as UCD prevailed 73-60 and claimed the Colours Cup, winning the series 2-1.
Attention now turns to Varsities for Trinity Basketball, with both the Men’s and Women’s Varsity teams travelling to Limerick over the Easter weekend.
