Dublin Raiders claim BIDL Women’s Plate with 78-64 win over Meteors

Dublin Raiders picked up the first piece of silverware on offer on National League finals weekend, claiming the BIDL Women’s Plate with a 78-64 win over Meteors at the National Basketball Arena on Friday night. Taylor Gaffney sparkled for the victors, finishing with 28 points on the way to claiming the MVP.

A pair of Rachel Rice free throws got the scoring underway, before Mia McEntee and Ally McGrath exchanged threes to have Meteors 5-3 up 90 seconds in. The first quarter was neck and neck Meteors were marginally in front by the end of it helped by Aibhe Ryan’s basket in the paint to lead, 20-17.

Meteors kept thei noses in front early in the second, before a pair of Gaffney free throws put Dublin Raiders in front four minutes in, 25-24, and wouldn’t relinquish their lead after that. Two converted McGrath free throws saw Meteors within a point 29-28 with a little over four minutes to go, before a five point run from Gaffney stretched Dublin Raiders advantage and they never really looked back after that. The Bray club were 43-33 up by half-time, Gaffney had 20 points by then too.

Taylor Gaffney taking free throw for Dublin Raiders during the BIDL Women's Plate Final at the National Basketball Arena.

Dublin Raiders built on their lead in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 27-12 in the quarter , Ella Broderick scored all of her points in the quarter, with three converted from the three point line. Dublin Raiders now had a healthy 70-45 lead going into the final quarter.

Meteors to their credit closed the deficit in the final quarter, but never looked like overhauling their opponents, Dublin Raiders’ cushion meant they closed it out comfortably 78-64.

All games from National League finals weekend are live on basketballireland.tv, while you can watch ‘Super Sunday’ live on TG4 from 1345 on Sunday, with the MissQuote.ie Champions Trophy final between Pyrobel Killester and SETU Waterford Wildcats at 2pm, followed by the InsureMyVan.ie Super League final featuring Griffith College Éanna and Pyrobel Killester at 4.30pm. Live stats from all games on the Swish All Hoops App.

Meteors 64–78 Dublin Raiders

Quarter Scores: Q1: 20-17, Q2: 33-43, Q3: 45-70, Q4: 64-78

Meteors:

Christine Moran, Ally McGrath, Izzy Feeney, Meabh Ryan, Lauren Mitchell (c), Alibhe Ryan, Tara Grealy, Emer Riordan, Rachel Rice, Ava Gilleran, Sarah McGreevy, Eva Maloney

Head Coach: Eimear Máirtin

Top Scorers: Ally McGrath 24, Christine Moran and Lauren Mitchell (both 10)

Dublin Raiders:

Sarah Dunne, Niamh Foley, Rebecca Maher, Taylor Gaffney, Rachel Mahon, Alannah Malone, Ella Broderick, Mia McEntee, Eimear Mangan, Hilla Ophir Maoz, Julie Devine, Sadhbh McGlinn

Head Coach: Ed Randolph

Top Scorers: Taylor Gaffney 28, Rachel Mahon and Alannah Malone (both 10)