The MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League returned for one last action-packed weekend to end the calendar year.
Depiro ascertained their top-the-table spot at the winter break after beating Athleta but will be weary of Luxol and Starlites who both follow standing at just one point away after wins on Saturday.
STARLITES 58
HIBERNIANS 56
(21-10, 12-16, 11-15, 14-15)
Starlites edged out Hibernians in a thrilling contest, riding on a strong first-quarter performance and clutch plays in the closing minutes. Makaila Napoleon spearheaded Starlites’ attack, scoring efficiently and leading her team to a commanding 21-10 lead by the end of the first quarter. The American import’s dominance in transition and from the free-throw line was instrumental as Starlites set the tone early.
Hibernians attempted to claw back in the second quarter, with Julija Dabic and Steffi De Martino finding their rhythm in the paint. However, Starlites maintained a 33-26 lead at halftime thanks to timely contributions from Sasha Lecuyer and Catherine Cilia.
The third quarter saw Hibernians rally further, narrowing the gap to just three points. Mikayla Brandon’s free throws and Dabic’s relentless work inside kept the pressure on Starlites. But Starlites held firm, with Napoleon converting critical free throws and Ylenia Bonett capitalising on second-chance opportunities.
In the fourth quarter, former Starlites forward De Martino briefly tied the game for Hibernians with a three-pointer, but Starlites’ resilience shone through. Cilia’s sharp shooting and Napoleon’s clutch scoring at the line secured a hard-fought victory.
STARLITES: S. Lecuyer 3, M. Riolo 8, C. Cilia 5, P. Riolo 3, Y. Bonett 12, M. Napoleon 23, Y. Ferrando 2, C. Curmi 2.
HIBERNIANS: M. Brandon 12, A. Saliba 9, M. Bonett 4, S. De Martino 12, K. Calleja, N. Farrugia 3, J. Dabic 16.
Referees: Z. Dobrosaviljevic, F. Ciurariu, N. Azzopardi.
BETSSON DEPIRO 67
ATHLETA 47
(17-10, 20-6, 13-12, 17-19)
Depiro delivered a dominant performance against Athleta to stay top of the table at the end of 2024, demonstrating their depth and efficiency from the opening tip against the league newcomers.
Kristy Galea set the tone early with a three-pointer, while Claire Ciantar established her presence in the paint. Julia Borg Xerri contributed key transition points as Depiro raced to a 17-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw Depiro extend their advantage, with Nicole Agius sinking a three-pointer and Ciantar scoring on consecutive fast breaks. Galea punished Athleta’s turnovers, and Depiro’s defence held firm. By half-time, Depiro led 37-16, leaving coach Adrian Baldacchino and his team struggling to find answers.
The second half saw more of the same. Ciantar continued her dominance inside, while Galea extended the lead with another three-pointer. Athleta’s Kennedi Williams put up a valiant fight, scoring consistently and finishing with a game-high 23 points, but Depiro’s well-rounded attack proved too much.
In the fourth quarter, Agius and Borg-Xerri capitalised on fast-break opportunities, ensuring Depiro closed out a convincing victory.
BETSSON DEPIRO: Nicole Agius 12, J. Borg Xerri 6, J. Magri 2, L. Duncan 2, Noeleen Agius, C. Ciantar 15, J. Borg 9, M. Micallef 4, N. Borg, K. Galea 17.
ATHLETA: K. Williams 23, B. Agius 2, M. Ferrante, N. Vella 5, M. Cassar Pickard, F. Sant 6, J. Cipriott, K. Abela, C. Caruana 2, K. Abela, L. Camilleri 9.
Referees: N. Azzopardi, N. Da Silva, A. Attard.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 113
VALLETTA LIONESSES 15
(28-4, 20-7, 31-2, 34-2)
Luxol tamed Valletta with a commanding performance, dominating from the opening whistle to secure a decisive victory as the citizens took the court without import player and top scorer Janae Barnes.
Violets import Brandy Lynn Huffhines spearheaded the attack, converting turnovers into quick points and connecting from beyond the arc to build an early 13-0 lead. Valletta’s Taisiia Nikishina ended their scoring drought, but Luxol’s relentless pace left their opponents trailing 28-4 by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter brought more of the same, with Sarah Fenech Pace and Nolene Vella driving Luxol’s scoring. Valletta struggled to contain Luxol’s fast-break offence. By halftime, the gap had widened to an insurmountable 48-11.
In the third quarter, Josephine Diaby and Jada Said continued the Violets’ dominance in transition, while Huffhines added another three-pointer to her tally. Luxol’s defensive pressure forced turnovers, converting them into points at will. Despite Valletta’s sporadic scoring from Nikishina and Maria Mifsud, Luxol’s lead ballooned to 79-13 entering the final quarter.
The fourth quarter saw Luxol’s reserves join the action, but their dominance continued. Huffhines capped her stellar performance with another three-pointer, securing the victory.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL G. Carabott 3, L. Fenech Pace 8, M. Marmara 6, N. Vella 6, J. Said 8, E. Abela 2, S. Fenech Pace 16, J. Diaby 6, B. Huffhines 14, V. Baldacchino 17, R. Naudi 14, A. Fenech Pace 13.
VALLETTA LIONESSES: A. Parnis 1, S. Abugrin 2, H. Grixti, N. Caruana, M. Momcilovic, 2, M. Mifsud 4, A. Nikishina, T. Nikishina 6.
Referees: Z. Dobrosaviljevic, W. Lim, M. De Flavia.
STANDINGS
Betsson Depiro 13; Caffe Moak Luxol, Starlites 12; Hibernians 10; Athleta 9; Valletta Lionesses 7.
