Loyola’s slump continued in the second phase of play as they suffered their second defeat and also their first against the Saints in three matches.
It was a very low score match and although Loyola managed to keep their noses in front till the interval they had to play second fiddle as St Andrews were better as the game progressed and they kept their opponents at bay in the final stages of the match to overhaul Loyola in the standings.
The Saints were without Agnetha Agius and the Loyola side had Jean Doughty Natalya Baginskaya and Sammy Jo Barbara all missing.
In a quiet start to the game it was Loyola who were the more enterprising as they eked out a long 8-1 run which went on till nearly the last minute of the session when Madeleine De Martino put in a hoop for the Saints.
Both sides then made points as St Andrews drew a little nearer. In the second quarter it was Kristy Tonna for Loyola as she had ended the period before but the points were still lacking in the match.
It was left to the final minute of play when St Andrews put in a 7-0 run which included a triple and hoop by Josette Calleja. Loyola’s lead was cut down to a single point at the interval on a low 15-14 score.
After the break it was still the Saints on a high roll whilst Loyola were still struggling although they managed to make the opening hoop.
The Saints rammed in a 10-0 run as Calleja made her second trey and Elaine Cutajar sank a couple of baskets. Loyola recovered late in the session but they were trailing 21-30 when the final period started.
The game kept on lacking points-wise although Loyola seemed to be in a better frame of mind as they produced a 7-0 run to draw near as Abigail Sciberras was more active in the zone.
With St Andrews leading by a solitary hoop both sides were unable to add on to their tally in the latter stages of the match until Cutajar made the game safe for the Saints seconds from time with her free throws.
St Andrews: T. Sciortino, 4 N. Cassar, R. De Martino, 9 J. Calleja, I. Galea, 8 E. Cutajar, 2 J. Mangion, 5 E. Grech, 6 M. De Martino.
Loyola: A. Heywood, 12 K. Tonna, P. Montanaro, 3 F. Schembri, G. Torpiano, 3 R. Spiteri, 3 A. Bonanno, D. Mifsud, 8 A. Sciberras, F. Camilleri, M. Gatt, K. Gouder.
Referees: Alfred Carbonaro, Anthony Micallef.