Starlites Ker Grill 37

Mellieha Bullets 51

(9-17)(7-10)(15-14)(6-10)

It was Mellieha's fourth win over Starlites this season, and that left Starlites still in doubt as to their entry to the championship title games.

Mellieha were always in the lead, save for the first minutes of the match, and they set their minds at rest early on in the last quarter, exhibiting some steady play at times, and denied their adversaries any occasions to get back within reach, and into contention, once they had garnered a double figure lead.

Mellieha made the frist inroad, going into a 6-2 lead, but Starlites made a quick recovery, and some good interchanging gave them a 7-2 run, to go in front.

The rest of the session saw Mellieha in some fast play, and a Matthew Cauchi trey started a 9-0 run, to give the league leaders a useful advantage.

In the second period Starlites strove to make up the leeway quickly, as Francois Bartolo came off the bench to sink a couple of hoops.

Mellieha managed to reply on three occasions, and held on to their lead, and in the latter stages of the session it was free throws that extended Mellieha's advantage, as they finished on a 7-2 run.

At the interval they were leading 27-16.

Mellieha made the better opening after the break, and a Robert Loporto trey, in a 6-0 run, continued to enhance their advantage.

Starlites recovered, to post an 8-0 run, as treys by Ivan Riolo and Mark Pace went in. Jovan Mihailovic helped his side to recuperate, when Mellieha made an 8-23 run.Starlites put in the last two hoops of the period, and cut down on their deficit, to a 31-41 score.

Mellieha made a further 8-0 opening break in the final quarter, as they finally broke clear, and set their minds at rest. Starlites recovered, as Godwin Schembri was leading his side, in a three basket spread.

Time, however, ran out on Starlites, and Mellieha could assure themselves of a temporary first place, ahead of St. James, but with a match more.

Starlites: 8 Ivan Riolo, 8 Tino Riolo

Mellieha: 17 Jovan Mihailovic, 8 Steve Sammut

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef