Watch: Maltese Abroad: Cassar gets first start for Janus Fabriano

Malta center Kurt Cassar has got his first start since joining Janus Fabriano Basket during the winter transfer period. The Times of Malta Sportsdesk looks at Cassar and other Maltese professionals plying their trade overseas in another segment of ‘Maltese Abroad’.

ITALY

Kurt Cassar started and got his first points on the board for Serie B side Janus Fabriano Basket on Sunday as the side beat Roseto 91-69.

Cassar played for 12 minutes and added to his points, he grabbed three boards.

Fabriano are now in first place of the standings and face Rossella Virtus Civitanova Marche on Sunday (Tip-Off: 5.30pm)

USA

Otero Rattlers’ Sophie Abela continues to enjoy big minutes as she started and played the majority of the side’s last two games – a 76-77 loss to Southeast Community College, and a 63-54 win against Bethany College.

Particularly against SCC, Abela scored 17 points while assisting six makes. On defense, she made two steals and grabbed four rebounds.

Full game against SCC: https://sccstorm.com/live

The Otero Rattlers play Trinidad State Junior College next after their game against Central Wyoming College on Saturday was cancelled.

Fellow guard Kristy Galea’s Alderson Broaddus Battlers went through a tough week, facing two losses – 54-95 to Concord University on Wednesday, and 88-60 to Glenville State on Saturday.

Galea came off the bench in both games and, last Wednesday, Galea played for 13 minutes, this time scoring five and grabbing another three rebounds.

 Full game against Concord : https://mountaineast.tv/concord/?B=213462

In the second game on Saturday, Galea scored eight points in 26 minutes on court. She assisted two baskets while blocked one and grabbed three rebounds.

Full game against Glenville St: https://mountaineast.tv/aldersonbroaddus/?B=223640

The Battlers now play Notre Dame College on Wednesday (Tip-off: 5pm US/ 11pm Malta)

UK

Loughborough Riders’ Sasha lecuyer came off the bench on Saturday, despite being named captain for the game, in the team’s 88-57 loss to the Solent Kestrels.

Lecuyer spent 19mins on court, scoring two points, assisting another two while grabbing three rebounds. She also forced a turnover through a steal.

The Loughborough Riders play the COLA Southwark Pride on February 27 after their next game, against the same opponent, was postponed.

Fellow Rider Aaron Falzon gave a smaller contribution in the Leicester Riders’ 116-109 win over the Manchester Giants earlier on Friday. In around 10 minutes he assisted a bucket while grabbing one rebound.

In their next game against Glasgow Rocks, another win (78-97), Falzon got around 12 minutes on court and scored eight, assisted one, and grabbed two boards.

The Leicester Riders’ next game is against the London Lions in the BBL Trophy on Thursday (Tip-off: 6pm UK/ 7pm Malta)