Loyola had no hassle to record their third seasonal win over Suns. Loyola are in the top half of the table, and their victory over Luxol, earlier on in the season, gave them enough confidence for the rest of the league programme.
Suns’ Diane Falzon went into double figures scoring for her side, the second time a Suns player has done so.
Loyola were missing Sammy Jo Barbara and Fiona Micallef. Suns were without Lisa Pace.
There was a balanced start to the match, as Loyola twice went in front, but Suns went ahead, with a Diane Falzon trey. Loyola then got the upper hand, and a long run, resulting in a good 13-2 break, with an Ann Camilleri trey, gave Loyola a useful lead. Falzon put in a couple of free throws for Suns, at the end of the session.
In the second quarter Loyola were still in command, but Suns managed to pierce their opponents’ zone twice, in a 4-8 score. Schembri Wismayer’s entry on court spelt danger for Suns, as her points, in a 9-0 run, took her team out of Suns’ reach, although Petra Zammit put in another hoop at the end. At the interval Loyola were 33-14 ahead.
After the break Suns were still on the receiving end. A 10-2 run for Loyola, at the start, from Abigail Azzopardi and Schembri Wismayer, began Loyola’s dominance. Petra Zammit again obtained Suns’ points, but Loyola had a good ending to the session, with a 15-0 run, for a 58-18 score, with a session to go.
Diane Falzon upped her personal score tally, with two hoops, in the final quarter, as Loyola took some time to get into their stride again.
It was Adalia Bonanno to start them off, in a 9-0 run, but the scoring died away till the end of the match, despite numerous attempts at both ends.
LOYOLA: 14 Carina Gauci, 11 Sandra Schembri Wismayer, 10 Adalia Bonanno
SUNS: 13 Diane Falzon
REFEREES: Stephen Micallef, Alfred Carbonaro
Depiro 62
Luxol 47
(13-15)(17-10)(14-8)(18-14)
Depiro met Luxol three times this season, and they always emerged winners. The Violets were in the game till the halfway mark, but then fell away, as Depiro, ably led by Sarah Pace, went clear of their opponents, to post a comfortable victory.
Luxol are sharing fourth place, but only three teams will go into the championship pool.
Depiro were without Abigail Muscat, and included young Nathalie Galea. They also had Rhian Spiteri back, after a long lay off. Luxol are still awaiting the return of Kirsten Micallef, from Australia.
Depiro made an impressive start, as Sarah Pace led her side into a 13-4 run, also netting a trey. Then Depiro’s fury faded away, and Luxol came into the picture. Mandy Sciortino got them off with her trey, and they managed to string together a run of 14 points, to take a good lead at the end of the quarter.
In the second session Depiro tied the score twice, the first time with a Sarah Pace trey. Luxol went back in the lead, but Depiro swung the ball around confidently, and an 8-0 run ensured them a lead till the interval, as both sides sank a hoop each. Score at 30-25.
After the break Depiro were off with a Rachel Camilleri trey, but Luxol replied to keep in touch. The Violets couldn’t keep up the pressure, and Depiro’s free throws were enough for them to build a good lead. Luxol recovered a little, but at the end of the quarter Depiro were still leading 44-33.
In the final session Depiro made sure of the result, with an 8-2 opening run. Luxol staged a rally, but they only succeeded to cut down on their deficit, and they also lost three players on fouls. Depiro could stroll through the latter part of the session, always having a good lead to fall on.
DEPIRO: 23 Sarah Pace, 12 Rachel Camilleri
LUXOL: 14 Justine Mangion, 12 Lara Chetcuti
REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Jennifer Mangani
Standings: 14 Hibs Medsea (7-0), 12 Depiro (5-2), 12 Loyola Xuereb Installations (5-2), 10 Luxol (3-4), 10 Kerygma (3-4), 7 Sliema Wanderers (1-5), 7 SN Suns JC (0-7)