Heartbreak for Mayo Meteors as Dublin Raiders prevail in thriller in Tallaght

Basketball Ireland Development League

All-Ireland Plate Final

Mayo Meteors 78

Dublin Raiders 83

In Tallaght

After a game of the season, Mayo Meteors suffered a heart-breaking defeat at the hands of Dublin Raiders, in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, this evening. 

After an extremely lively first quarter, the teams could not be separated. 

Shane Davidson led the way for the Dublin side, shooting an impressive 14 points. 

However, the Meteors worked as a team, with Freeman and Herman combining for 22 points, leaving the scoreboard reading 28-28, as the buzzer sounded. 

The second quarter followed the same trend as the first. The teams were exchanging baskets, but Alex Evans and Sean Fallon helped Mayo Meteors into a lead, scoring two three-pointers each.

This was key to helping Mayo to a 50-47 lead at half-time. 

It was all to play for, however Mayo were playing against the odds, losing Stephen Crowley to an injury, reducing their panel to six players.

The third quarter was extremely intense. The Raiders levelled early on, but Mayo kept fighting. Paul Freeman scored ten points in the third quarter to help Mayo to a 62-56 lead at one stage.

However, three successive three-pointers in the third quarter meant that the Raiders took the lead 69-63 as the fourth quarter began.

The fourth quarter was a quarter for the ages.

Terry Kennedy's side had levelled the game with seven minutes left on the clock.

Herman Heyl was collecting all of the rebounds for the Meteors before he made his fifth foul of the game, which saw him ejected.

The Meteors remained strong and an Alex Evan’s three-pointer gave them the lead. However, this was the last time they led for the rest of the game.

The Raiders scored consecutive three-pointers and closed out the game to win. 

It was a disappointing end for the Mayo Meteors after an extraordinary season.

Read a full report in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.