Recap

Athleta continued their run for post-season qualification with a fourth-quarter victory over Valletta Fighters. It was a clash which could have gone the other way were it not for Athleta’s mental strength to come back from behind after a shaky opening.

Valletta had the best start when game-top-scorer Deasean Mattox (37 points) drove through the crowded paint for his side’s first points around a minute into the game. Keith Charleston, who finished with a 17 points-21 rebounds double-double, added another two from a pair of layups. 

Athleta’s Dajuan Moorer – the team’s leader in scoring on the day with 30 points, and 15 rebounds – bagged his side’s opener but the Citizens looked stronger on defence in the opening stages while Athleta, missing forward Matthew Gouder on Sunday, struggled to hit their shots. Gradually Valletta made it a six-point lead before the first buzzer.

Mattox was again the first scorer as the second quarter began. It took close to four minutes for Athleta to reply but they finally did with a Piotr Stelmach triple. Moorer then added a layup as the gap went down to four with 5.41 to go in the first half. Malik Riddle, who finished with a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds, made it two and Valletta coach Harry Savaya called timeout.

The Maroons looked better settled as the quarter progressed but it was still a Valletta lead at the halftime break with the teams divided at 27-24. 

Athleta levelled terms immediately when Stelmach hit another three-pointer after the change of ends. Neil Cassar hit back with a corner three before Mattox hit one from deep himself to reopen a Valletta advantage.

Athleta coach Christos Kousidis brought on youngster Andre Bozanic and he put up his first point, of five, almost immediately, scoring one of two freethrows. The Maroons were in foul trouble and Valletta took advantage, but the former braved through all of it to finish the third quarter two points behind.

Moorer tied things up with a mid-range jumpshot when play restarted for the final rubber. Riddle gave Athleta the lead before Stelmach started Valletta’s late suffering. Valletta kept things as close as possible even with Athleta in the bonus for the final few minutes, but Riddle closed off the game with an acrobatic dunk after Stelmach fouled out.