Starlites cruise past Valletta to keep up playoffs fight
Hibernians continued to show they have no intention of stopping their dominant run in this season’s MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League campaign as they surged to another big victory last weekend against Athleta.
Caffe Moak Luxol shocked Betsson Depiro to go level in second place of the standings. Meanwhile, Starlites Revive overcame Valletta Dream to keep up that fourth spot as early playoff discussions begin.
HIBERNIANS 91
ATHLETA 56
(24-15, 27-11, 21-15, 19-15)
Hibernians produced a dominant performance to win every quarter and defeat Athleta in the matchday’s last fixture on Sunday.
The Paolites built their victory around an efficient Josephine Diaby showing, who led the side’s scoring and boards with a 19-point, 16-rebound finish.
Steffi Martino added 13 points while Hailey McLeod followed with 11.
As for Athleta, new import signing Macy Tyler Smith led the game in scoring with 25 points, adding 12 rebounds in the process for a double-double as the Gzira-based side struggled to match their opponents on the day.
The league leaders set the tone early with a 6-0 run before former Hibs player Kirsty Caruana opened the Athleta scoring with a layup and Kaya Calleja shot from deep to bring the game to a point’s difference.
But when Laura Micallef hit from beyond the arc, Hibs took control again, pushing their lead up to 11.
Tyller Smith hit two late three-balls, but these were cancelled out by De Martino and Andie Saliba, who both scored from deep to give Hibs a nine-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter followed the same pattern as De Martino reopened proceedings. Athleta hit sporadic finishes while Hibs built up their lead. An Iona Agius three-pointer put the Paola side up by 21 before De Martino and Marie Buhagiar sent their team for halftime up by 25 as they lead 51-26.
After the break, the Paolites effectively ended the contest.
De Martino kickstarted an 11-0 run before Athleta responded through Laura Camilleri’s layup. The Gzira-based side found brief success through Nicole Vella and Caruana, but could not slow the tide as Hibs entered the final rubber ahead 72-41.
With the result beyond doubt, the final quarter became a formality.
Threes from Michela Marmara and Naomi Farrugia extended the gap further, while Diaby continued to dominate inside. Tyler Smith battled to the end for Athleta, yet Hibs comfortably closed out an emphatic win.
HIBERNIANS M. Buhagiar 4, L. Micallef 5, I. Agius 8, S. Lecuyer 5, A. Saliba 7, M. Bonett 4, S. De Martino 13, M. Marmara 3, N. Farrugia 8, H. Macleod 11, J. Diaby 19, K. Sammut 4.
ATHLETA E. Farrugia, J. Schembri 7, N. Vella 6, K. Calleja 3, A. Micallef, K. Caruana 9, M. Tyler Smith 25, S. Vella 4, L. Camilleri 2.
Referees A. Attard, J. Siefert.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 67
BETSSON DEPIRO 57
(23-12, 19-11, 11-15, 14-19)
Luxol held off a late Depiro rally to secure a hard-fought win on Saturday.
The Violets had Olivia Wikstrom and Eve Axisa to thank, as the duo provided the team’s shield from any late attacks from Depiro. Wikstrom provided 14 points and 17 rebounds, combining effectively with the team’s scoring leader, Axisa, who put up 15.
Sarah Fenech Pace followed with 13. At the other end, Lovely Sonnier was the main powerhouse and the only double-digit scorer for her team, on the day with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Luxol started brightly with quick baskets from Fenech Pace to open an early lead. Depiro responded through Sonnier and Claire Privitera, briefly drawing level, yet Luxol regained momentum with composed play from Wikstrom and Jada Said. A late scoring burst, including free throws from Axisa and a basket from Vanya Baldacchino, helped Luxol close the first quarter ahead 23-12.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern as Luxol steadily extended their advantage.
Axisa struck from long range, and Fenech Pace continued to finish strongly inside.
Although Depiro found points through Sonnier and Portelli, with Samira Deguara finding space for a successful jumpshot midway through the rubber, they struggled to contain Luxol in transition.
Said and Wikstrom added further scores, allowing the Violets to enter half-time up by 19 points.
Depiro attempted to fight back after the change of ends, with Privitera and Sonnier reducing the deficit.
However, Luxol responded effectively, as Axisa hit a timely three-pointer before Fenech Pace and Wikstrom added further inside baskets.
Portelli and Nicole Agius hit late in the quarter but it was a tough climb for Depiro in the fourth as Luxol lead by 15.
The final rubber saw Depiro mount a determined challenge. Sonnier led the charge with a string of baskets, while Agius added key scores to bring the visitors within five points.
Luxol remained calm under pressure, though, with a late three from Axisa and a fast-break finish from Fenech Pace securing a deserved victory.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL G. Carabott, E. Axisa 15, L. Fenech Pace 14, J. Said 6, E. Abela 3, S. Fenech Pace 13, O. Wikstrom 14, V. Baldacchino 2, S. Sciberras.
BETSSON DEPIRO N. Agius 9, J. Borg Xerri 2, J. Mallia, C. Privitera 9, C. Fenech, J. Borg 5, C. Portelli 7, N. Borg, L. Sonnier 17, S. Deguara 8.
Referees F. Ciurariu, W. Lim.
STARLITES REVIVE 75
VALLETTA DREAM 52
(16-8, 16-18, 19-13, 24-13)
Starlites powered past Valletta in the weekend’s opening fixture.
It appeared to be a well-trained showing from Starlites, interestingly portrayed witha 14/15 free-throw finish for Christina Curmi’s side. Individually, Georgia Haverlock’s season-long consistency showed with yet another double-double finish after 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Captain Mikela Riolo followed with 18 points, as Michela Zammit Cordina and Rebecca Naudi added 14 and 10 points respectively.
Valletta duo Shautung Lin and Marie Elise Pollacco carried the Citizens’ offence on the day as Lin led the game with 21 points and Pollacco added 17 on 46.7% shooting from the field.
Starlites made a confident start, taking an early lead through Philippa Riolo and Naudi. Valletta briefly drew level with quick scores from Nicole Montalvo and Lin, yet Haverlock quickly steadied her side with a personal scoring burst. Zammit Cordina added a three-point play late on to give Starlites a 16-8 first-quarter finish.
The second quarter saw Valletta attempt a response as Pollacco and Lin found their rhythm. Starlites used the first quarter momentum to hold the fort and keep a six-point lead with a Haverlock shot two seconds from the halftime break.
Valletta surged after the restart, opening the third quarter with two quick threes to tie the game. For a brief spell, they even edged ahead, but Starlites reacted strongly.
Mikela Riolo struck three important triples and, supported by scores from Naudi and Zammit Cordina, Starlites rebuilt a comfortable cushion to lead 51-39 heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter belonged firmly to the Naxxar side.
Haverlock and Mikela Riolo continued to control proceedings in between a Jasmine Abela three-ball. Valletta could not find a way back despite their late efforts, as Starlites took the win at the final buzzer.
STARLITES REVIVE M. Riolo 18, P. Riolo 4, M. Zammit Cordina 14, M. Fenech 4, R. Naudi 10, G. Haverlock 20, A. Cassar Saguana 2, K. Gatt, J. Abela 3, B. Sciberras.
VALLETTA DREAM S. Lin 21, M. Elise Pollaco 17, A. Cutajar 4, M. Momcilovic 2, H. Grixti 2, N. Montalvo 6.
Referees F. Ciurariu, A. Attard.
STANDINGS
Hibernians 16; Betsson Depiro, Caffe Moak Luxol 14; Starlites Revive 11; Valletta Dream 9; Athleta 8.
