Mosta made it three out of three against Suns this season, and now are a game ahead of their opponents in the standings.

The final score rather flatters Mosta as Suns provided tough opposition, and it was only in the last quarter that Mosta managed to pull away, for their victory.

After a good Mosta opening, Suns replied through a Robert Camilleri trey, to tie at 6-6. Mosta had a quick reply, and an 11-2 run, ending with an Oliver Sammut trey, gave them a useful lead after the first quarter.

In the second session Mosta had to endure Suns' pressing, and their treys, but they were not holding back, and their lead was barely dented, as the game was pretty well balanced. At the interval it was a 32-25 match, as Mosta lost Matthew Bonnici, on a hamstring injury.

After the break the two sides still continued to mark up their points. Suns managed to get within the distance midway through the session, at 38-43, but Mosta recovered to open up their lead again. After three sessions they were 51-44 in front.

The final quarter saw Suns come closer again at the start, but Mosta then let loose, and a 15-0 run, mainly through Ray Muscat points, gave them the distance they needed to control the game. Suns did have a reply, as Michel Curmi piled up the points, but Ray Muscat was also proficient for the winners, and the score became a high one for both sides.

Mosta: 24 Ray Muscat, 23 Oliver Sammut

Suns: 17 Michel Curmi, 14 Angelo Bantick

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Alfred Carbonaro

Qormi Kia 77

Floriana 50

(28-7)(19-14)(17-20)(13-9)

Qormi strengthened their top position in the standings, as they romped home against bottom-club Floriana, this being their double over the Greens this season. Still, Floriana provided good opposition, despite their limitations, and never stopped running.

After an opening Josef Paris hoop, for Floriana, it was Qormi who forced the pace, and a strong 21-0 run, including treys by Adrian Baldacchino, shook Floriana, who however had a reply from Glenn Gauci Grech. Qormi struck again till the end of the session, to open up their lead again.

The second quarter was more balanced, as Floriana had a regular supply of hoops against the fast Qormi players, and despite the fact that the Greens' chiel point getter, Anthony Shoults, was fouled out. At the interval Qormi held a 47-21 advantage.

After the break Floriana had their best patch, an 8-0 run at the start, before Qormi, who were putting in their bench players, could start off their hoops. Floriana sank a couple of treys of their own, and stopped Qormi from adding on to their lead. After three sessions it was a 64-41 game.

In the final quarter the game was still played in an open manner. Floriana suffered a bit, being hit by a Qormi 9-0 run, but they recovered at the end, to finish the match with their own points, and a high score to their own standings, despite the loss.

Besides the win Qormi gave a useful outing to their young players.

Qormi: 20 Keith Scicluna, 19 Adrian Baldacchino

Floriana: 14 Josef Paris, 13 Glenn Gauci Grech

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Emanuel Mangani

SN Suns Bell Med 48

Loyola Xuereb Inst. 71

(10-16)(4-14)(15-15)(19-26)

This game was postponed from 16th December of last year, although the two teams met in the second round. Loyola put daylight between them and bottom-club Floriana, and also managed to beat Suns for the first time, this season, after two defeats.

Tthis loss dented Suns' hopes of a top finish, although they are on course for a play off place.

Suns had a good start, with Michel Curmi points, but Loyola hit top form, through Joe Vassallo, as they embarked on a 14-3 run. The two sides then shared points till the end of the session, as Loyola held their lead.

In the second quarter Suns didn't offer much of a resistance, and Loyola could calmly increase their lead, aided by a couple of treys by Sam Farrugia and Joe Vassallo. Suns could only muster a brace of hoops, and at the interval Loyola were fully 30-14 in front.

After the break Loyola started off with more treys by the same players, before Suns could get in their stride, and an 11-3 run, with treys by Michel Curmi and Vince Spiteri, reduced their deficit. Loyola recovered in the latter stages of the session, and extended their lead once more, for a 45-29 score after three sessions.

In the final quarter both sides went all out for points. Suns relied on treys, mainly through Vince Spiteri and Loyola were accurate in their close-range hoops and free throws. Suns didn't get near enough, and as time pressed on them they lost heart, and Loyola closed down the match with a 9-0 run, to register their second league win.

Suns: 15 Vince Spiteri, 13 Michel Curmi

Loyola: 18 Jonathan Ransley, 17 Sam Farrugia, 16 Joe Vassallo

Referees Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro