Gżira Athleta 57
Hibernians 59
(7-15, 18-15, 14-11, 18-18)
Just one week after these two sides featured in a tense game that was decided after two over-times, Hibernians and Athleta produced another balanced affair, this time ending the women’s Louis Borg Cup tie with just a marginal one-basket lead for the Paolites going into the second game later this week.
Hibs had young Julia Scerri registering her personal seasonal best so far as the Paolites gained the lead by half-time following a brace of free-throws by Silvia Gambino – 30-25.
The third quarter was tight with Athleta bridging the gap to just two points, 41-39, with ten minutes to go.
Athleta had a good patch as they went on a 9-0 run to go 55-51 in front with four minutes to go. But then, Trudy Armstead and Gambino combined perfectly to put Hibs back in contention.
In the end, an Armstead three-point play tilted the balance for her side.
Athleta: C. Grima 10, S. Pisani, L. Sciberras 11, A. Simmons 26, D. Said Hollier 2, A. Borg 2, J. Schembri, S. Vella 6, C. Mifsud.
Hibs: E. Cassar 6, S. Gambino 9, I. Agius 4, K. Caruana, M. Said 3, N. Vella, K. Portanier Mifsud, N. Farrugia 3, T. Armstead 18, J. Scerri 16.
Refs: C. Farrugia, I. Marjanovic.