Champions Starlites start their league defence with a victory
match the day before. Both sides had an important player missing with Christine Curmi absent for Starlites with Emma Degiorgio taking her place and Sharon Vella, injured in training, also out of the squad for Luxol.
Starlites’ opening two hoops were answered by the Violets who went on to lead with an 8-2 run. Starlites tied the score but Luxol were again ahead as Monique Caruana netted a triple. Maria Bonett pulled a bucket back but Starlites were still in arrears.
The second session was Luxol’s downfall. Starlites were all over them starting with a 12-0 run and a trey by the Spaniard Patricia Arguello. Luxol managed points back halfway through the period but Starlites followed with another 9-0 run mostly from
Anthea Micallef with her long strides.
Mandi Mercieca kept making her points for the Violets although they were for a lost cause.
At the interval Starlites were enjoying a 35-18 advantage.
After the break, Starlites were still extending their lead as Mikela Riolo began with a triple. Mercieca was everywhere for the Violets and her points kept Luxol from falling further behind.
At the other end there were Bonett and Steffi DeMartino to keep Starlites on an even advantage as they ended the session on a 55-38 score.
The last quarter had Starlites pushing further with a 7-0 run. Luxol went one better sinking eight points and Caruana and
Sarah Pace triples.
Starlites’ next points had Luxol’s reaction with Mercieca emerging as the game’s top scorer. Micallef added free throws for Starlites late in the match with the Violets obtaining the last points for a somewhat better scoreline.
Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 5, M. Riolo 11, A. Micallef 16, S. Farrugia, M. Bonett 14, F. Fabok 2, E. Degiorgio, S. DeMartino 15, P. Arguello 10, M. Cutajar, S. Davies, A. Lupo 2
Luxol: S. Pace 10, B. Zammit, N. Vella, I. Baena 4, No. Vella 2, C. Sollami 3, K. Portelli, A. Borg 7, J. Schembri, M. Caruana 12, L. Caruana Montaldo, M. Mercieca 17
Referees:
Camilleri
I. Simic, S, Jafilica, L.