Late surge gives Fusion an opening win

Fusion B'ball 87 Hibernians 83 (12-26, 24-17, 19-22, 32-18)

It was an interesting game, with Fusion making their customary slow start, with a six man side. The Paolites took the opportunity to open up a solid advantage, but Fusion clawed points back till the interval.

Fusion were without the Mitic brothers, Stefan and Nikola, along with Nemanya Mihailovic and the Italian, Enrico Lanzi, but Spaniard, David Garcia, returned. Hibs had a couple of bench players missing, but young Neil Cassar made an appearance.

The match began with a burst of triples, with Luke Farrugia nad twice Kieron Caruana, for the Paolites, and Nebojsa Komienic in between, for Fusion. Paul Attard also netted a Hibs trey, as his side established a good lead. Bozovic pulled hoops back for Fusion, but Isaac Bonett also nailed a trey for the Paolites, as they kept their opponents on a steady deficit. Bozovic was still putting in buckets for Fusion, in the next period, but Hibs were amking points of their own. Nebojsa Komienic sanka Fusion triple, but later on it was Matthew Attard making his for Hibs, although their advantage had gone down to a 43-36 score, at the interval.

After the break Fusion were still hovering near, with the Paolites keeping them at arms' length. Attard sank a second trey for Hibs, but Fusion were back, as Komienic made more hoops. Late in the session Caruana nailed two quick treys, for Hibs, with Fusion having Janko Jovancevic also making a triple, to take his side to a 55-65 deficit.

Hibs opened their lead once more, through Bonett hoops, but Fusion persisted, and made up a 12-1 run. to advance to three points down. Hibs kept them away, until Bozovic had his side level, on 75-75. Although the Paolites were again ahead, there was Bozovic once more, with a spate of free throws, as he was fouled under the board. Fusion were in front, for the first time. Late in the match, but Hibs recovered, to tie the score. Bozovic pushed Fusion to another lead, and when Hibs wasted a last possession, they were punished by a Komienic bucket, which ensured Fusion's victory.

Fusion: N. Bozovic 44, D. Garcia 7, N. Komienic 14, N. Zivkovic 3, J. Jovancevic 3, I. Marjanovic 16

Hibs: P. Attard 10, M. Formosa , L. Farrugia 8, N. Cassar 1, I. Bonett 18, K. Caruana 25, R. Aquilina , M. Attard 11, K. Sultana 10

Referees: K. Dworniczak, L. Camilleri