Unbeaten Malta women brush aside Albania to reach gold medal final

The Malta women’s basketball national team maintained their unbeaten run in the FIBA Championship for Small States when they brushed aside Albania 75-62 to book their place in the gold medal final.

Amber Costance Melgoza was Malta’s leading scorer with 17 points followed by Steffi De Martino and Kirsty Galea on 15.

It was another impressive performance from Charles Bonnici’s team who were in control right from the outset and never gave a sniff to their opponents.

The Maltese girls raced into a commanding 28-13 at the end of the first quarter and from then on they never looked back.

The Albanians tried to fight back but could make little inroads on Malta’s commanding advantage as Bonnici’s girls headed into the half-time interval 41-28 ahead.

Despite their hefty advantage Malta continued to pile in the points in the third quarter and further extended their lead to 66-45 ahead.

The Albanians did manage to bridge the gap but the damage had already been done as the Maltese girls strolled to victory.

On Sunday, Malta faces their biggest challenge when they face either Norway or Cyprus in the final.

The Malta women’s basketball national team maintained their unbeaten run in the FIBA Championship for Small States when they brushed aside Albania 75-62 to book their place in the gold medal final.

Amber Costance Melgoza was Malta’s leading scorer with 17 points followed by Steffi De Martino and Kirsty Galea on 15.

It was another impressive performance from Charles Bonnici’s team who were in control right from the outset and never gave a sniff to their opponents.

The Maltese girls raced into a commanding 28-13 at the end of the first quarter and from then on they never looked back.

The Albanians tried to fight back but could make little inroads on Malta’s commanding advantage as Bonnici’s girls headed into the half-time interval 41-28 ahead.

Despite their hefty advantage Malta continued to pile in the points in the third quarter and further extended their lead to 66-45 ahead.

The Albanians did manage to bridge the gap but the damage had already been done as the Maltese girls strolled to victory.

On Sunday, Malta faces their biggest challenge when they face either Norway or Cyprus in the final.