Hibernians     83     Depiro     86

(27-20, 21-21, 23-28, 12-17)

Hibs were coming from an initial league victory, whilst Depiro had lost their opening two matches, but had shown glimpses of their potential. This game captured their progress, as two of their Americans have now integrated themselves fully in the side. Keshaun Hamilton and Trent Steen netted 51 of their side's tally, and were a constant headache to the opposing defence. Maybe the Paolites thought that everything will turn out right at the end, but they were rudely jolted, and had to bow down to their adversaries. It seems that the new numbering system, adopted by Depiro, on their jerseys, brought them luck, but it was more than that, as Depiro played a sound game, and even recovered from a 13-point deficit, in the third quarter.

Depiro started well enough, taking an 11-5 advantage, as Spaniard, Alvaro Lizaur netted Hibs' opening trey, and Hamilton sank his, at the other end. The champions settled down, and proceeded to make up a 10-0 run, mainly from the towering Serbian, Ivan Demcesen. Depiro recovered, to level the score, as skipper, Andrew Aquilina made a triple. Hibs strode forward again, and put in a late 7-0 run, Lizaur points, and a second triple. The second period had Depiro wiping out their deficit, with an 8-0 run, and a Nicholas Grech trey, along with Steen hoops. The Paolites regained their lead, as ball handler, Roderick Vella, made his points. Depiro's Omar Said netted a trey, to take his side in front, but Chad Cuschieri patus went up, at the other end, to sink his triple, and tie the score. His next trey started a 7-0 run, which had the champions ahead, and at the interval they were leading 48-41.

After the break there were treys at either end, with Vella for Hibs and American, Jack Nygaard, for Depiro. The Paolites opened a double-digit lead, with a 7-0 run, with Trent pulling his side back. Hibs persisted, and their advantage grew to a maximum 69-56 score. Depiro didn't wilt, and they went on till the end of the session, marking up a heavy 13-2 run, with the Czech, Adan Chomo, triple, and Keshaun's addition, more points and a second trey, going to 69-71 behind. The last period had the champions hanging on to their slim advantages, as Steen replied to all of his opponents' points. Hibs couldn't keep Depiro out, as Keshaun powered his way to more points, handing his side the advantage. Hibs pulled a late hoop back, but it was not enough, as Nygaard's last free shots closed down the match.

Hibs: R. Vella 14, P. Attard , K. Sultana, L. Farrugia, M. Formosa, I. Bonett, L.tardito 8, A. Axiaq 6, M. Matijevic 5, A. Lizaur 12, I. Demcesen 25, C. Cuschieri Patus 13

Depiro: J. Attard, D. Farrugia, A. Attard, A. Aquilina 3, N. Grech 3, O. Said 7, K. Hamilton 27, A. Chomo 11, J. Nygaard 11, M. Borg, T. Steen 24 

Referees: B. Vassallo, D. Torok, M. Hraisha