Athleta back to winning ways
Gzira Athleta 60 Depiro 41 (12-9, 15-13, 23-2, 10-17)
Athleta forgot their slump these last few days and secured a good victory over Depiro which put confidence in their play especially since their American Amelia Simmons was back fully fit and amassed a hefty tally of personal points.
Depiro had missing players Claudia Camilleri and Noelene Agius but American Alexis Lloyd was back from the United States after her father’s demise.
Athleta obtained the opening points and a Beverlee Zammit triple. Depiro’s reply had them netting a brace of hoops. Simmons’ points extended Athleta’s advantage with Steffi DeMartino netting Depiro’s triple late in the session.
In the second period, Depiro went closer with a triple then coming at either end Zammit again for Athleta and again DeMartino for Depiro.
Simmons produced a personal 80 run for Athleta but Depiro pulled some points back till the interval when Athleta held a 27-22 advantage.
After the break, Athleta ran their opponents ragged making up a long 19-0 run as Julia Schembri began with two quick treys and Simmons continued with her tally and also a triple.
Depiro made their only contribution a pair of free throws and Athleta finished the period with another brace of Simmons hoops for a heavy 50-24 lead.
Athleta were still not content as they had Zammit sinking two more triples in the last session with Depiro’s reaction coming from Claire Ciantar and DeMartino points the latter with her third trey in a game ending 11-2 run for a more respectable scoreline.
Athleta: N. Borg, B. Zammit 12, N. Hili, L. Duncan 1, A. Simmons 37, D. Said Hollier, A. Borg , J. Schembri 6, S. Vella 4, E. Pace, C. Mifsud.
Depiro: M. Scicluna, T. Mifsud , M. Bonett 2, S. DeMartino 16, Ni. Agius, A. Lloyd 4, J. Xuereb 2, C. Ciantar 17
Referees: N. Azzopardi, T. Mantere, J. Cole