Defending champions Caffe Moak Luxol and Honey Athleta have earned the right to contest the final of the St James Hospital women’s basketball league after eliminating Hibs and PAVI Depiro respectively in the best-of-three semi-final series.

Having lost the opening match of the series, Hibs needed a win on Sunday to force a decider.

They started on a sound footing but after opening a 28-12 lead in the second quarter, Luxol gradually started to play better and at half-time they reduced the gap to 33-23.

Luxol’s comeback continued after the interval but after going 37-36 ahead, they failed to extend their momentum and Hibs hit back to start the last quarter six points ahead – 44-38.

As the last 10 minutes ticked away Luxol had a 14-4 break to take the initiative but Hibs came back to level matters at 53-all and set up a tight finale.

However, Luxol kept better hold of their nerves to pot seven consecutive points that saw them through to a hard-fought 62-56 victory.

Lakeitha Alston was the match top-scorer with 24 points followed by team-mate Steffi DeMartino with 20.

Like Hibs, Depiro also started the series with a loss, so they couldn’t afford another defeat on Sunday to keep their challenge going.

This was another keenly-fought encounter and after two balanced quarters on Sunday Athleta changed ends 27-23 in front.

When play resumed Depiro potted 10 points without reply only for Athleta to hit back strongly and start the last quarter 42-38 in front.

Any hopes Depiro had of forcing a third match were dashed when Athleta increased their lead to 14 points (56-42).

Athleta’s job now was to control their opponents’ frantic reaction and they managed that without running into serious trouble to seal a 70-59 victory.

League top scorer Amelia Simmons, of Athleta, scored 36 points.

The first match from the best-of-five final series will be played on April 12.

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