Luxol, Hibs make it five out of five

Unbeaten pace-setters Luxol and Hibs Medsea chalked up easy victories over St Andrew's and Starlites Sports Experience respectively last weekend.

In another match from the women's basketball league Loyola Allcare Insurance beat Honey Athleta for their third victory so far this season.

In the derby, Luxol pulled away in the final minutes of the third quarter before cruising to victory.

The match was balanced in the first two sessions. St Andrew's held a slim 18-17 lead at half-time but Luxol were the better team after the interval. They opened an 11-point advantage, 37-26, before a scorching 20-2 streak paved the way for a comfortable 63-33 victory.

Hibs opened strongly against Starlites and were 34-21 ahead at half-time. The champions increased the pressure on Starlites after the interval to coast to an emphatic 85-31 victory.

The remaining match last weekend saw Loyola edge out Athleta 50-43.

Led by Charles Bonnici, Athleta enjoyed an early edge to lead 10-5 but Kevin Zammit's girls hit back to go 25-21 ahead at half-time.

The match remained balanced with only a basket separating the two teams before the start of the final session, 33-31.

A 9-4 break midway through the last quarter swung the balance in favour of Loyola.

Standings: Luxol 10 (5-0); Hibs 10 (5-0); Loyola 9 (3-3); Depiro 8 (3-2); St Andrews 8 (2-4), Starlites 5 (0-5), Athleta 5 (0-5).

Top scorers: S. Pace (Depiro) 100; K. Agius (Depiro) 88; L. Sciberras (Athleta ) 84.

National League: Dec. 18, 19.45 Depiro vs Loyola. Dec. 19, 14.30 Athleta vs Starlites. Dec. 20, 12.45 Hibs vs Luxol.