Recap

The MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League clash between Starlites and Caffe Moak Luxol saw them handing the Violets their first defeat of the league campaign. The victory created a three-way tie at the top of the standings, with Starlites, Luxol, and Betsson Depiro all level on seven points.

Luxol took an early lead thanks to Brandy Lynn Huffhines’ quick three-pointer just 17 seconds in. Philippa Riolo answered for Starlites with her own three-pointer, levelling the game at 3-3. The quarter became intense back-and-forth action, with 33-point finisher Makaila Napoleon beginning her scoring spree, netting seven points in the period, including a crucial three-pointer with 25 seconds left. Luxol’s Sarah Fenech Pace kept her side close with a layup at the buzzer, narrowing Starlites’ lead to 17-16.

The balance tipped again as both sides traded baskets. Napoleon’s constant drives and fast breaks kept Starlites ahead, while Josephine Diaby’s steady scoring for Luxol kept the game tight. Napoleon capped the quarter with a flurry of points, including a fast-break jumper, extending Starlites’ lead to 34-28 before Luxol clawed back to 34-30 at halftime through late free throws by Anna Fenech Pace.

Luxol stormed into the second half, with Diaby dominating the paint and scoring eight points in the opening minutes. Her layups and mid-range jumpers built a 42-34 advantage. Starlites responded through Napoleon, who repeatedly got to the line, keeping her team within striking distance. Despite Diaby’s heroics, Luxol’s offence stalled late, allowing Starlites to close the quarter trailing 51-39.

Starlites mounted a dramatic comeback in the final rubber. Catherine Cilia ignited the rally with a second-chance three-pointer, cutting the deficit to six. With Napoleon relentlessly attacking the basket, she tied the game at 57-57 with 5:14 remaining.

A tense final stretch followed, as Napoleon’s 30th point gave Starlites a two-point lead at 61-59, only for Diaby to level the score at 61-61. Sarah Fenech Pace’s late layup momentarily put Luxol ahead, but Napoleon’s composed free throw pushed Starlites back into the driver’s seat with six seconds to go, and Philippa Riolo’s final pair of free throws ensured victory.