Alyssa Ashley Loyola 66

Luxol 56

(12-21, 15-12, 20-18, 19-5)

Loyola are making it a habit of coming from a heavy deficit - not only in the junior matches - but also in the seniors, to win their games.

Luxol had an intoxicating start but Loyola were already hauling themselves back in the second session. Luxol kept their advantage but they collapsed in the final period as Robin Murphy dried up and Christina Grima and Desarae Johnson contributed greatly to Luxol’s downfall.

This was the champions’ first league defeat but their second loss to Loyola this season.

Loyola were without Sandra Schembri Wismayer. Luxol had Lara Chetcuti missing but they recovered Mandi Sciortino and Amelie Paul was back for her first game this year.

Luxol made an inspired start with an 11-0 run and Greta Zarb points also a triple. Loyola then began to hit back but the Violets were able to enhance their advantage.

Grima points pulled Loyola nearer but Luxol still had a useful lead till the end of the period.

The Violets put in their free throws in the second session but Loyola’s response brought about an 8-2 run mostly from Johnson hoops.

Luxol made a reaction to open up their lead once more as Murphy made her shots. Despite more Loyola points Luxol were able to go in at the interval on a 33-27 advantage.

After the break both sides went at it hammer and tongs. Grima and Abigail Sciberras made their points for Loyola but Murphy was planting them in for the Violets who managed to hold on to their lead although Loyola were still pressing and stealing balls. Grima ended the session for Loyola with more points but Sarah Pace netted a Luxol triple as her side were 51-47 in front.

The last period had Luxol chasing shadows. A 7-0 run overturned the score in favour of Loyola before Luxol could reply but Loyola repeated their run and the Violets found a wall in front of them.

Their reaction was not convincing and Grima still continued to create panic in the Luxol rearguard to complement Johnson’s baskets which took the game away from their opponents.

Loyola: 2  E. Moore, 25 C. Grima,  J. Doughty,   D. Hollier,  K. Tonna,  A. Bonanno, J. Mangion, 8 A. Sciberras, 9  SJ Barbara, 20 D. Johnson

Luxol: 11 S. Pace, 4 M. Sciortino, C. Medina, 2 b. Naudi,  J. Busuttil Gaerty, 9 G. Zarb,  P. Ellul, 22 R. Murphy,  D. Muscat, A. Paul,  8 B. Zammit

Referees: B. Sly, R. Darmanin