Depiro keep Play Off hopes alive

Depiro 68 Gzira Athleta 61 (16-14, 12-14, 20-19, 20-14)

Depiro badly needed a victory and they achierved this against Athleta who were still feeling the effects of their lost K.O. final. Depiro are now seriously aiming for a fourth Play Off place along with Starlites and Hibs.

It was close all the way but Depiro made a good opening to teh last period which had them just enough ahead to thwart Athleta in their last desperate efforts to save the match. Athleta had Marie Pollacco back after her long injury but were missing Beverlee Zammit Stephanie Pisani and Chantelle Mifsud.

Depiro had the better opening as they led 10-3 only for Athleta to come up with a 9-2 run and a Christina Grima trey and Amelia Simmons points. Free throws had Depiro taking another advantage till the end of the session.

A three hoop spread in the second period enhanced Depiro’s lead but Athleta reacted slowly but surely and they managed to make up the difference with a late three basket run. At the interval the teams were tied on a 28-28 score.

After the break Athleta twice were ahead but Depiro answered back as triples went in at both ends with Milica Stefanovic for athleta and a brace from Depiro’s Gabby Mifsud.

Athleta managed a long 12-0 run started by Grima free shots with Depiro putting in a session ending 10-0 run with treys from Sam Brincat and Mifsud again as they put their noses in front on a 48-47 score.

The last session had Depiro edging away with an 8-2 start as Carlee Schumacher kept piling in her points. At the other end it was Simmons’ free throws for Athleta but Depiro had opened up enough of a lead to keep their opponents at bay. Grima sank a second trey for Athleta but it came too late to save the match.

Depiro: A. Mifsud, G. Mifsud 11, H. Acreman, S. Brincat 9, M. Bonett 11, M. Balzaraviciute, N. Agius, M. Scicluna, C. Schumacher 29, T. DeMartino 6, C. Ciantar

Athleta: M. Stefanovic 7, C. Grima 14, L. Sciberras 2, A. Simmons 25, D. Said Hollier 3, A. Borg 4, J. Schembri , S. Vella 6, M. Pollacco,

Referees: Z. Dobrosavljevic, Marjanovic, M. Rajczi I.