Recap

Hibernians and Depiro put on a thrilling show in their John Tabone Shield encounter, with Hibernians eventually prevailing after double overtime. The game was packed with momentum shifts and standout performances, particularly from Derek Brown for Hibernians and new Depiro signing Brandon Porter.

Depiro struck first, with Cameron Cornelius sinking a jump shot, but Brown quickly countered for Hibernians with a driving layup. Hibernians soon found their groove, driven by Ivan Demcesen’s control of the paint, contributing several tip-ins and layups to establish a 10-2 lead. Tedrick Wolfe’s fast-break layup extended the lead to 16-4 midway through the first quarter, but Depiro began to chip away with Nikola Bozovic and Porter adding crucial points. Despite this, Hibernians ended the quarter 24-14 ahead.

Porter continued to lead Depiro’s comeback in the second quarter, with a fast-break layup and free throws keeping his side within touching distance. However, Cassar and Matthew Attard’s quick transitions helped Hibernians maintain a steady advantage. A series of jump shots from Tomasi and Brincat brought Depiro within six points, but Wolfe’s timely three-pointer and Demcesen’s layup on the break ensured Hibernians entered halftime with a 42-36 lead.

In the third quarter, Depiro came out strong, with Porter continuing his scoring spree, including an emphatic dunk that shifted momentum. By the mid-point, Depiro had evened the score, and a layup from Cornelius gave them their first lead of the game at 50-49. Brown’s relentless play in the paint and crucial free throws allowed Hibernians to keep pace, while Cassar’s late basket and a Brown three-pointer secured a 61-54 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The final quarter saw another Depiro rally. Porter’s three-pointer and Bugeja’s layups closed the gap, and with 1:44 remaining, Brincat’s three-pointer gave Depiro a 77-74 lead. However, Brown responded with a clutch three-pointer, tying the game at 77-77 and forcing overtime.

In the first overtime period, Depiro’s Bugeja hit a layup to take a 79-77 lead, but Brown and Gouder answered for Hibernians to keep the pressure on. A beautiful step-back jumper from Brown, followed by a eurostep layup from Wolfe, pushed Hibernians ahead 85-81. Despite Porter’s 33rd point of the night, Hibernians held on, with the period ending 85-85 and setting the stage for a second overtime.

The second overtime saw Hibernians finally seize control. Cassar and Gouder both scored on fast breaks, and Brown continued his dominant performance with a driving layup and a series of clutch free throws to extend Hibernians’ lead to 97-91. Porter, however, refused to back down, sinking another three-pointer to bring Depiro back within three. A dramatic late surge from Cornelius with back-to-back three-pointers made it 104-101, but Brown’s final free throws iced the game and secured a thrilling win for Hibernians.