In the two previous meetings these two sides twice went into overtime, once in triple overtime. This time the game took its normal course, and just like the two other games before, Mellieha were the victors.

They were always in the lead, but Loyola’s great efforts in the final session brought them breathing down Mellieha’ necks, but the Shield winners held out for another win.

Loyola were missing Joe Vassallo and Clayton Agius, and Mellieha had Ian Curmi also absent, and Joshua Aquilina finishing off his three-match suspension.

The first two Mellieha hoops were neutralised by Loyola, but Ian Terribile sank a trey and started off a 10-0 Mellieha run. Loyola reacted, and a Joe Vella trey kept them in contention, despite Robert Loporto’s good start for Mellieha, as he has been since the start of the season.

In the second quarter Falzon’s trey for Loyola was quickly replied to, but Loyola became more imaginative, as they threatened Mellieha’s zone. Mellieha were still able to hold their own, and they regained their first-session lead at the interval, on a 35-26 score.

After the break a good Mellieha opening kept up their momentum, besides increasing their lead. Loyola hit back with Joe Vella’s personal points, including a trey. Mellieha did not take long to impose their style of play, and at the end of the session, they led 48-36.

In the last quarter both sides sank a trey and continued to share the play. Michael Pisani’s trey helped Mellieha to a 56-42 lead, but Loyola had a great reaction, with an 11-0 run, including two treys by Trevor Grech and another by Joe Vella.. Mellieha stopped the run, and a Loporto trey kept them ahead. Loyola gave it one last shot but Mellieha could hold out, and this time won in normal time, to keep their unbeaten record for this season.

LOYOLA: 15 Joe Vella, 10 Jonathan Ransley

MELLIEHA: 19 Ian Terribile, 17 Robert Loporto

REFEREES: Jean Paul Sammut, Anthony Micallef