Ireland end Uganda series with second defeat

Uganda 71-56 Ireland

Ireland senior women were unable to overturn Sunday's defeat to Uganda, as the Gazelles ran out 71-56 winners in the final game of their friendly series in Keltern Dietlingen, Germany on Monday evening.

WNBA draftee Paige Robinson finished the game with 23 points for Uganda, as Ireland’s attention now turns to friendlies against Denmark and the Netherlands at the National Basketball Arena on 2 and 3 August, with their next FIBA Women’s EuroBasket qualifying window in November looming larger on the horizon.

Looking to tie the series, Ireland started with intent. Mimi Clarke made her first three of the game with her first look and, aided by an Áine O’Connor layup soon after, Ireland had what would be their only lead of the game. It didn’t take long for the aforementioned Robinson to find her rhythm though. Her unerring accuracy along with Jannon Otto and Jane Asinde ensured Uganda finished the opening quarter 26-18 to the good despite some excellent defensive work by the Irish.

The second quarter began with a Claire Melia spin and lay-up, quickly followed by a Lauryn Homan bucket and Ireland looked to be building some momentum, closing the gap to six, 28-22. Minutes later, Melia found Mimi Clarke beyond the arc on the left hand side and the deficit was just three with under five minutes to go in the half.

Uganda have continually made defensive stops when they needed it most during the course of the two games though and it was no different here. The ever impressive Robinson proved the beneficiary, as she ended the first half with a 14-point haul to ensure her side returned to the locker room with a 43-27 lead.

Head coach James Weldon turned to his bench extensively in the third. Amy Dooley saw her first