Recap

Nick Brennen hit the first basket of the afternoon as Hibernians took over after a miss from Luxol on their opening play. Tariq Woody, however, levelled terms for the Violets seconds later to make amends.

Paolites winter signing Brennen has been in inspired form since joining in December, averaging 24.6 points so far after three games played. On Sunday, he got his side’s next points with a three-pointer before compatriot Mason Hix gave Hibs a four-point lead with a score and two freethrows.

Gael Hulsen levelled terms midway through the quarter, but Matthew Attard and Brennen hit back to force the game’s first time out. This balance in play remained until the first buzzer as Hibs led by just three.

Game top-scorer Woody, Luxol’s only double-double finisher on the day with 35 points and 23 rebounds, changed leads early in the second quarter but Brennen was on hand to take it back as Hibs’ sole double-double finisher Ivan Demcesen (14pts-15reb) was helped back to the sidelines after a knee injury. The non-stop responses came from both ends of the court throughout the rubber, with Luxol’s Nathan Xuereb going full blast to counter the Paolites advances. However, it was Mario Tabone’s clan who led 47-43 at the halftime break.

Xuereb gave the Violets the lead with a three-ball after Hulsen’s opener as the second half looked to be just as fast-paced as the first. It was the Violets who surged ahead with their offensive play, going eight points into the lead ahead of the final quarter.

Luxol’s Woody opened the fourth rubber after fantastic vision from JP Schembri to assist, the latter hitting next from three-point range on the following play. Foul trouble made it tougher for Hibs, particularly with Hix fouling out after having survived on four fouls for most of the second half. To make matters worse for them, Woody and Xuereb made the most out of their hot hand to send their side up by double digits in the game’s final minutes to give coach Fenech’s side the victory.