Tata Motors Loyola 72

Floriana Fr. Fenech 77

(11-23, 24-16, 19-17, 18-21)

Floriana returned to winning ways after their drubbing by Athleta while Loyola did not continue on their win over Luxol. This was Floriana’s third victory in five matches over Loyola.

The Greens’ bright start stood them well as Loyola came back strongly and even went ahead before the break. Evan Fjeld’s prowess pulled Floriana through as he recorded yet another mammoth score.

Loyola recovered Joshua Anastasi but Luke Azzopardi was missing. Floriana were without Jeremy Curmi.

The lead changed hands twice in the opening skirmishes but Fjeld began to pour in his points for the Greens in a personal 7-3 run.

David Camilleri replied for Loyola with a triple but Floriana made up an 8-2 run with more Fjeld points. And an Ian Mercieca trey. It was then Jean Azzopardi with a triple for Loyola but the Greens finished the period with another 8-0 run as Fjeld’s tally went into double figures.

In the second session, Loyola put in an 8-2 run mostly from Rashanti Harris. Azzopardi then nailed his second triple as his side were back into contention.

A 13-2 run with a Harris triple had Loyola in front. Harris went on the bench and till the interval Floriana surged forward once more putting in a 7-0 run to regain their advantage on a 39-35 score.

After the break Loyola were forced to chase their adversaries when Floriana began to inch forward after starting with a Steve Sammut triple.

The Greens were nine points in front after a second Sammut trey. Loyola made the better finish to the period with a 9-2 run and a second Camilleri triple to finish just a basket behind at 54-56.

In the final session Loyola were level but Floriana went ahead again. Steve Sammut’s next trey was not enough as Camilleri replied likewise for Loyola for a tie. Camilleri’s fourth trey also had both teams on level points but Floriana then stormed forward with a 10-0 run.

Loyola bounced abck with triples from Camilelri and Billy Zammit but time was against them and Floriana rode out the last seconds to ease into sole second place though with a game more.

Loyola: S. Pace, 3 B. Zammit, 20 D. Camilleri, S. Borg, L. Azzopardi, S. Vella, 6 A. Axiaq, 11 J Azzopardi, 2 J. Anastasi, 4 J. Ransley, 26 R. Harris

Floriana: 5 C. Sammut, 10 I. Mercieca, 15 S. Sammut. 2 C. Calleja, A. Baldacchino, 42 E. Fjeld, 2 A. Sultana, 1 M. Ciantar

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro