In last weekend’s MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League action, Hibernians broke their losing streak, Caffe Moak Luxol triumphed in an overtime thriller, and Starlites maintained their impressive form.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL 66
BETSSON DEPIRO 60
(12-15, 13-19, 18-7, 15-17, 8-2; Luxol win aet)
Luxol secured victory against Betsson Depiro in a nail-biting overtime match, maintaining their winning record against their opponents since the Super Cup final. Brandy Lynn Huffhines dominated proceedings with a remarkable 34-point display, delivering crucial shots during vital moments. Depiro began impressively, with Janai Crooms controlling early play and accumulating 23 points. Joselle Borg Cardona provided essential support as Depiro established a 34-25 advantage at halftime.
The Violets mounted their response after the interval, with Josephine Diaby and Anna Fenech Pace leading the resurgence.
Huffhines levelled the score at 35 with a three-pointer and notched seven straight points to give coach Roderick Vella’s side a narrow advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
The concluding quarter remained close, with Crooms equalising at 58 to necessitate overtime.
In the additional period, Gwen Carabott converted two free throws to edge Luxol ahead, while Huffhines confirmed victory with a three-pointer and a closing free throw.
CAFFE MOAK LUXOL G. Carabott 4, L. Fenech Pace 2, N. Vella, S. Fenech Pace 8, J. Diaby 12, B. Huffhines 34, V. Baldacchino, S. Sciberras 2, A. Fenech Pace 4.
BETSSON DEPIRO J. Borg Xerri 8, C. Ciantar 5, J. Borg 2, N. Borg 7, K. Galea 6, J. Borg Cardona 9, J. Crooms 23.
Referees Z. Dobrosaviljevic, M. De Flavia.
ATHLETA 47
STARLITES 63
Starlites extended their winning run with victory over Athleta, driven by another stellar performance from October’s BOV Women’s Player of the Month, Makaila Napoleon.
Napoleon, who averaged a double-double in October to win the monthly award, led her team with 24 points in a commanding display on Saturday.
The first quarter was a closely fought affair, with Michela Zammit Cordina and Napoleon combining for a 12–2 run to give Starlites the early advantage.
Athleta’s Kennedi Williams tried to keep her side in contention with fast-break layups, but Starlites’ defence held firm, ending the quarter 14–6.
In the second quarter, Zammit Cordina continued to shine, contributing both inside and outside the paint.
Napoleon added crucial baskets, dominating the boards and finishing fast-break opportunities. Despite Williams’ efforts, Athleta trailed 30-18 at half-time.
Athleta showed glimpses of a comeback in the third quarter, with Julia Cipriott adding eight points and Williams reaching double digits.
However, Starlites maintained their composure, with Napoleon adding critical second-chance points and Zammit Cordina sinking a three-pointer to extinguish Athleta’s hopes.
Starlites closed the game in style, securing a comfortable win to strengthen their position in the league.
ATHLETA K. Williams 11, B. Agius 8, N. Vella 5, F. Sant 1, J. Cipriott 10, C. Londono 7, K. Abela, C. Caruana 2, K. Abela 2, L. Camilleri 1.
STARLITES S. Lecuyer 2, M. Riolo 7, C. Cilia 5, P. Riolo 2, M. Zammit Cordina 13, C. Vella, L. Marie Zammit, M. Napoleon 24, F. Vella 2, Y. Ferrando 4, C. Curmi, Y. Bonett 4.
Referees F. Ciuariu, D. Farrugia.
VALLETTA LIONESSES 50
HIBERNIANS 60
(11-15, 5-9, 20-20, 14-16)
Hibernians bounced back to form with a decisive triumph over Valletta, putting an end to their recent poor run.
The triumph lifted the team’s spirits, whilst Valletta continued their search for their first win in their inaugural season.
The contest opened with Mikayla Brandon spearheading Hibernians’ attack, notching six points in the opening quarter as her side built a narrow advantage.
Valletta’s Janae Barnes kept them competitive with three successful shots from beyond the arc, but possession losses hampered the league debutants.
The Paolites exploited the Citizens’ mistakes during the second period, as Marie Buhagiar and Naomi Farrugia converted breakaway chances to build a 24-16 cushion by the interval.
Valletta mounted a response in the third quarter, with Marija Momcilovic and Aleksandra Nikishina scoring crucial baskets. Milica Stefanovic sank consecutive three-pointers, reducing the deficit to three points.
Yet Hibernians, powered by Steffi De Martino and Brandon, endured the pressure and increased their lead to 44-36 entering the final quarter.
The fourth period witnessed Brandon excel in fast breaks and Andie Saliba impact both offence and defence. A clash between Stefanovic and Saliba resulted in the former’s dismissal after a second unsportsmanlike foul, depleting Valletta’s roster. Despite Barnes’ 20-point effort and Sabrina Abugrin’s late surge, Hibernians claimed victory.
VALLETTA LIONESSES A. Parnis 4, J. Barnes 20, S. Abugrin 9, M. Stefanovic 6, N. Caruana 4, M. Momcilovic 3, M. Mifsud, A. Nikishina 2, H. Grixti, N. Montalvo, T. Nikishina 2.
HIBERNIANS M. Brandon 18, M. Buhagiar 4, E. Cassar, A. Saliba 9, J. Abela 5, M. Bonett 5, S. De Martino 9, K. Calleja 2, N. Farrugia 2, K. Caruana 4, J. Dabic 2.
Referees N. Azzopardi, M. De Flavia.
STANDINGS
Caffe Moak Luxol 6; Betsson Depiro, Starlites 5; Athleta, Hibernians 4; Valletta Lionesses 3.
