Hibs regain momentum after dominant showing
Last weekend’s MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League action saw three games that reshaped the league standings.
Starlites handed Caffe Moak Luxol their first league defeat of the season in a nail-biter, Hibernians outclassed Athleta in a well-rounded performance, and Betsson Depiro delivered a crusing victory over a depleted Valletta Lionesses side.
These results leave Starlites, Luxol, and Depiro tied at the top of the table, each sitting on seven points.
STARLITES 65
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 63
(17-16, 17-14, 7-21, 24-12)
Starlites produced an impressive comeback to edge Luxol on Saturday, ending Luxol’s three-game unbeaten streak.
Luxol’s Brandy Lynn Huffhines opened the scoring with a quick three-pointer, setting the tone for an evenly matched first quarter. Sarah Fenech Pace and Huffhines were instrumental early on, but Makaila Napoleon’s constant scoring gave Starlites a narrow 17-16 lead at the end of the quarter.
The second quarter saw the Naxxar-based side gain the upper hand as Napoleon and Catherine Cilia combined to punish Luxol’s defensive lapses. Although Josephine Diaby’s strong play in the paint kept the Violets within touching distance, Starlites stretched their advantage to 34-28 by halftime, thanks to Napoleon’s ability to convert on fast breaks and at the free-throw line.
Luxol fought back in the third quarter behind Diaby’s dominance, outscoring Starlites 11-5 in the opening minutes. Diaby’s scoring spree, including several layups and mid-range jumpers, put Luxol in front, 42-34. Starlites refused to wilt, however, as Napoleon kept them within striking distance, closing the quarter at 51-39 in Luxol’s favour.
The final quarter was a show of determination from Starlites. Cilia’s timely three-pointer and Napoleon’s consistent drives brought the game level at 57-57 with just over five minutes to play.
Napoleon’s late-game heroics, including a crucial free throw and a fast-break layup, sealed the win for Starlites, leaving Luxol stunned.
STARLITES: S. Lecuyer 7, M. Riolo 8, C. Cilia 5, P. Riolo 6, M. Zammit Cordina 5, Y. Bonett, M. Napoleon 33, Y. Ferrando 1.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL: G. Carabott, L. Fenech Pace 14, J. Said, S. Fenech Pace 10, J. Diaby 16, B. Lynn Huffhines 9, V. Baldacchino 7, S. Sciberras, A. Fenech Pace 7.
Referees: B. Vassallo, N. Da Silva, F. Ciurariu.
HIBERNIANS 64
ATHLETA 57
(14-16, 21-16, 13-8, 16-17)
Hibernians claimed a convincing victory over Athleta, powered by Mikayla Brandon’s sharp shooting and Steffi De Martino’s all-around geniality.
The game opened with Nicole Vella’s three-pointer giving Athleta an early lead, but Brandon’s back-to-back triples quickly shifted momentum. De Martino’s second-chance points and Julija Dabic’s solid inside play ensured Hibernians stayed competitive in a back-and-forth first quarter, which ended with Athleta leading 16-14.
Brandon took control in the second quarter, hitting two quick three-pointers to swing the lead back in Hibernians’ favour. Although Vella’s accurate shooting and Kennedi Williams’ fast-break layups kept Athleta close, De Martino and Dabic carried Hibernians into halftime with a 35-32 advantage.
The third quarter belonged to Hibernians, with Dabic’s dominance in the paint and De Martino’s scoring touch helping to widen the gap. Dabic’s fast-break layups and second-chance efforts left Athleta scrambling as the lead grew to 48-40 entering the final period.
Athleta launched a valiant comeback attempt in the fourth, led by Vella and Britney Agius, who combined for crucial points. However, Hibernians held their nerve, with De Martino’s clutch three-pointer and Brandon’s late jumper sealing a well-earned win.
HIBERNIANS: M. Brandon 19, E. Cassar 1, A. Saliba, J. Abela, M. Bonett 2, S. De Martino 23, K. Calleja, N. Farrugia 2, K. Caruana, J. Dabic 17.
ATHLETA: K. Williams 16, B. Agius 11, M. Ferrante, N. Vella 19, F. Sant 7, J. Cipriott, K. Abela, C. Caruana, K. Abela, L. Camilleri 4.
Referees: F. Ciuariu, W. Lim, A. Attard.
BETSSON DEPIRO 61
VALLETTA LIONESSES 29
(26-6, 12-6, 9-9, 14-8)
Depiro dismantled the Valletta Lionesses in a one-sided affair. With Valletta missing their star player, Janae Barnes, Depiro capitalised on turnovers and showcased an impressive defensive performance to cruise to victory.
Depiro started strongly, with Janai Crooms scoring seven quick points to establish a 12-2 lead. Kristy Galea put up two three-pointers, and Claire Ciantar contributed both offensively and defensively as Depiro ended the first quarter with a commanding 26-6 advantage.
Valletta struggled to respond in the second quarter as Depiro’s defence forced repeated turnovers. Julia Borg Xerri and Neve Borg dominated in transition, combining for easy baskets. Meanwhile, Ciantar and Galea continued to pile on the points, extending Depiro’s lead to 36-12 by halftime.
The second half was no different, with Depiro maintaining control. Ciantar was instrumental, scoring from both fast breaks and second-chance opportunities, while Galea added another three-pointer to her tally. Valletta’s Maria Mifsud and Jennifer Apap Brown offered brief sparks of resistance, but they could not overcome Depiro’s solid team play. By the final buzzer, Depiro had wrapped up a dominant victory.
BETSSON DEPIRO: J. Borg Xerri 12, J. Magri, J. Mallia 2, L. Sciberras 6, C. Ciantar 12, J. Borg 2, M. Micallef, N. Borg 4, K. Galea 11, J. Borg Cardona 3, H. Farag 2, J. Crooms 7.
VALLETTA LIONESSES: S. Abugrin, J. Apap Brown 4, N. Caruana 6, M. Momcilovic 3, M. Mifsud 8, A. Nikishina 2, N. Montalvo 6, T. Nikishina.
Referees: B. Vassallo, N. Azzopardi, W. Lim
STANDINGS
Caffe Moak Luxol, Betsson Depiro, Starlites 7; Hibernians 6; Athleta 5; Valletta 4.
