Depiro prevail in top clash

Depiro won the big clash of the weekend when beating Hibs Melita Gardens 66-63 to maintain their unbeaten record in the women’s league, joining Alyssa Ashley Loyola at the top of the table.

Loyola found little resistance from Phoenix Qormi as Luxol obtained their second victory after beating Athleta 71-49.

Depiro relied mostly on Sam Brincat and Vanisha Woods to hand Hibs their second consecutive defeat in the championship.

Adrian Mifsud’s girls could not have hoped for a better start when they potted the first 12 points. But Hibs crawled back in contention to reduce the deficit to a single basket (16-14) by the end of the first quarter.

The match continued to be a balanced affair with Lorna Gipson in fine form for Hibs but Depiro led 37-33 at half-time. The equilibrium was broken in the last minutes of the third quarter as Depiro potted eight points in a row, 54-43.

Then, with five minutes left, Hibs had another good spell which saw them a point behind 64-63 but two free-throws by Brincat dashed all their hopes of a comeback.

Luxol obtained their second victory as Athleta fielded a weakened team.

Luxol, with Mandy Scortino and Robin Murphy, in fine form had the better start and opened a comfortable 49-21 lead at half-time.

Luxol continued to dominate and it was only in the last few minutes that Athleta made the score look more respectable.

Loyola were never troubled by Qormi. In fact, after leading 45-11 at the interval they went on to chalk up the first 100+ score of the season with a 101-14 win.

Standings: Depiro 6 (3-0), Loyola 6 (3-0), Luxol 4 (2-0), Hibs 4 (1-2), Starlites 2 (0-2), Qormi 2 (0-2).

Top-scorers: R. Radanska (Athleta) 59, C. Grima (Loyola) 59, L. Gipson (Hibs) 58, L. Sciberras (Athleta) 46, M. Sciortino (Luxol) 37.

Louis Borg Cup final: Saturday, first leg, 13.45 Luxol vs Hibs. Sunday, second leg, 16.30 Hibs vs Luxol.