Recap

SiGMA Depiro and Hibernians battled fiercely in a thrilling BOV Division One encounter, with Hibernians emerging victorious.

The match marked the return of Brandon Porter for Depiro, who put in a commendable performance, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Hibernians’ strong finish, led by Tederick Wolfe and Derek Brown.

Depiro started brightly, with Dominic Tomasi hitting an early three-pointer and Nikola Bozovic adding a layup to give them a 5-0 lead. Hibernians responded with Ivan Demcesen’s layup and free throw, but Depiro maintained control through Tomasi’s second three-pointer and a solid showing from Porter. Brown kept Hibernians close with consistent scoring, including a dunk off a turnover to level the game at 25-25 late in the first quarter. However, Depiro closed the period strongly, capped by Tomasi’s layup, giving them a 31-26 edge.

The second quarter saw Depiro extend their lead, with Porter scoring from distance and David Bugeja adding crucial points. Hibernians stayed within striking distance through Brown’s fast-break three-pointer and Demcesen’s inside play. Late in the quarter, Cameron Cornelius showcased his scoring ability with a pair of jump shots and free throws, helping Depiro lead 52-44 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Porter took centre stage for Depiro, scoring a three-pointer, a dunk, and a pair of free throws to push the lead to 60-44.

Hibernians clawed back with a relentless effort from Brown and Demcesen, while Nikola Bozovic continued to provide inside scoring for Depiro. Despite Hibernians’ best efforts, Depiro entered the final quarter with a slender 71-60 advantage.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair. Wolfe was instrumental for Hibernians, scoring repeatedly inside and from the free-throw line, while Matthew Gouder added crucial points on fast breaks.

Depiro fought hard, with Cornelius hitting a vital three-pointer to tie the game at 86-86 with just over a minute remaining. However, Hibernians closed out the game with Gouder and Wolfe combining for decisive baskets, including Wolfe’s emphatic dunk in the final seconds to seal the win.