Loyola kept up their winning streak a third consecutive win as they kept pace with the leaders.

They were not altogether comfortable against Starlites who continued to peg away throughout the encounter and were still close till the start of the final period.

Starlites’ triples  were not enough as Loyola made sure towards the end of the game.

Stralites had Christine Scicluna and Stephanie Davies missing and introduced Elisa Iavarone and Claire Scicluna. Loyola had Adalia Bonanno back after missing four matches but Fiona Schembri and Kim Borg Alden were absent.

Lara Pisani began well for Starlites with a five-point run and a triple. Loyola retaliated with a three basket spread and both sides then made some more points as Loyola held on to a slight advantage.

Ruth Spiteri’s triple for Loyola in the second session was a reply to Starlites’ couple of hoops. When Pisani netted her second trey Starlites were level. Then it was Abigail Sciberras to give Loyola a lead with her baskets. At the interval Loyola were leading 22-18.

Starlites’ efforts after the break to make up the small deficit met with resistance as Jean Doughty made consecutive points. Charlotte Riolo’s triple kept Starlites in the hunt but Loyola were still 35-29 ahead with a session to go.

Three hoops in a row opened up enough of an advantage for Loyola even though Pisani netetd a third triple for Starlites. Loyola put in their next hoops and all Starlites could do was reply to every point against as they finished on the losing side.

Starlites: A. Farrugia, 6 C. Riolo, 5 A. Grixti, 2 S. Tabone, 11 L. Pisani, 4 C. Spiteri, E. Iavarone, L. Pirotta, N. Attard, C. Scicluna, 12 M. Cutajar

Loyola: 9 J. Doughty, P. Montanaro, 2 E. Falzon, M. Gatt, D. Said Hollier, 9 R. Spiteri, 4 A. Bonanno, G. Torpiano, 15 A. Sciberras, F. Camilleri, 8 SJ Barbara, 2 K. Gouder

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile