Hibs recover 17 points deficit

Basketball

Hibernians 87 Starlites GIG 84 (18-27, 15-12, 32-22, 22-23)

The league campaign for the top sides opened with an enthralling match which saw the Paolites crawl back from a heavy deficit midway through the second session to post their opening victory and deny Starlites who looked good enough in the first part of the match to garner their first win.

American Konor Kulas tormented the Hibs defence at first and he poured in his points both inside the paint and also with long ones but then he made heavy going after the break as he was crowded out.

Serbian Ivan Demcesen used his height to propel the Paolites forward and get back in the match. Then there were other players on either side to make the difference at odd parts of the game as Robert Bonnici and Ryan Carabott for Starlites and Nikola Vasovic and Marco Matijevic for Hibs.

Starlites rushed out from the start with the Paolites making their now customary slow beginning. Kulas was deadly from the distance nailing a total of four triples as his side began to edge away from their adversaries.

Hibs had David Bugeja and Swede William Ahlberg also netting treys but the latter made a premature exit from the match with his injured wrist although Demcesen started to grab his zone hoops. Starlites still held a good advantage after the opening session.

The second one had Starlites moving away further as they established a heavy 39-22 lead where they looked to overrun their opponents but the Paolites found their form.

Luke Farrugia came off the bench to sink a triple and more Demcesen buckets produced a late 11-0 run till the interval when Starlites’ advantage was whittled down to a six point match at 39-33.

After the break, Hibs went nearer but American Jeremy Marseille netted a Starlites trey. The Paolites persisted and finally managed to forge in front with a Vasovic hoop.

Although they were behind twice more, there were Bugeja and Vasovic triples and further Demcesen points to take them to a 6561 advantage as American Chandler Rowe was short on personal points but dished out quite a good number of assists. The last quarter had Starlites reacting to regain their lead twice more as Ryan Carabott went on fire and produced a personal 8-0 run with a brace of treys.

Hibs made a steady 11-0 run starting with a Vasovic trey and some more free throws.

Starlites persisted and two quick turnovers in their favour had them just a hoop behind in the last minute of play.

Hibs’ pillar then was Matijevic as he sank a couple of free shots. Starlites still came back with a Bonnici triple but Matijevic again netted two more free throws.

Only six seconds remained and Starlites had their last fling but a hurried Alec Felice Pace long range try failed to find its mark and the Paolites were safe.

Hibs: W. Ahlberg 3, P. Attard, D. Bugeja12, K. Caruana, L. Farrugia 3, I. Bonett, N. Vasovic 21, A. Axiaq 3, M. Matijevic 15, M. Attard, C. Rowe 4, I. Demcesen 26

Starlites: A. Felice Pace 10, R. Bonnici 18, I. Felice Pace, M. Fabri, M. Scerri, R. Carabott 14, I. Kumric, K. Kulac 29, J. Marseille 13

Referees: K. Dworniczak, Camilleri, M. Hraisha

L.