Winning start for Malta’s U16 women in FIBA European Championships

Malta’s Under-16 women’s team made the best start possible at this year’s FIBA European Champions Division C tournament in Andorra when they beat Georgia 79-74 on Tuesday.

The Malta youths, playing in Group A of the competition against the Georgians, Armenia – the team they face next on Wednesday – and Gibraltar, will be hoping to keep up this momentum with the top two sides making the next round.

On Tuesday, it was a case of finding their footing for the Malta girls after being held to 22-14 the first quarter, Giovanni Gebbia’s team turned the tide and began to take control over every remaining rubber, with 20+ points in both quarters in the second half against a strong Georgian side.

Malta overcame the setback of 39 committed turnovers throughout the encounter with 32 fast break points and being the better side in the paint making 42 of their total from close range.

Sarah Sciberras was Malta’s top scorer on the day with 24 points, also making three assists, two steals and four rebounds. Sarah Fenech Pace followed with a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds. She added three steals and four assists to her tally and taking the game’s best efficiency rating. Vanya Baldacchino rounded off the double-digit scoring with 15 points, grabbing four boards and two steals.

As for Georgia, Salome Svani was the protagonist with 37 points, two assists, three rebounds and nine steals. Ana Gelashvili was the only other double-digit scorer for the side with a double-double  of 15 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds and four steals.

GEORGIA

E. Niguriani, L. Motskobili 4, G. Sharikadze 7, A. Gelashvili 15, E. Gagnidze 2, L. Abramishvili 2, N. Sabadashvili 7, A. Tugushi, N. Ebralidze, S. Svani 37.

MALTA

J. Said 6, P. Riolo, S. Sciberras 24, V. Baldacchino 15, R. Fenech Pace, G. Carabott 3, S. Farrugia 8, E. Abela, T. Ferrando, S. Fenech Pace 22, A. De Martino.