Recap

Caffe Moak Luxol rebounded strongly from their previous defeat to Betsson Depiro, producing a disciplined defensive display that restricted Janai Crooms’ scoring output and secured a crucial victory.

Brandy Lynn Huffhines led the charge for Luxol with a composed performance, while Anna Fenech Pace provided valuable scoring support. Depiro, meanwhile, fought until the final moments, but their late comeback fell just short.

Huffhines opened the scoring with a jump shot, but Kristy Galea quickly responded with a three-pointer, setting the tone for a competitive first quarter. Luxol found early success in transition, with Josephine Diaby and Anna Fenech Pace converting fast-break layups. Depiro, however, kept their composure as Crooms and Julia Borg extended their lead to 11-6 midway through the quarter. The Violets then tightened their defence, forcing turnovers that resulted in quick points from Diaby and Lisa Fenech Pace. Huffhines capped off a late surge with a jump shot, helping Luxol establish a 20-15 advantage at the end of the first period.

Galea again ignited Depiro’s offence in the second quarter with a fast-break three-pointer, trimming the deficit to two points. However, Roderick Vella’s Luxol maintained their momentum, with Anna Fenech Pace striking from long range and Huffhines extending the lead with back-to-back scores. Luxol’s defence continued to stifle Depiro’s attack, and they built their advantage to double digits after Huffhines nailed a three-pointer with under five minutes remaining in the half. Depiro tried to close the gap through a fast-break triple from Julia Borg Xerri, but Luxol held firm and went into halftime with a 33-25 lead.

Luxol carried their dominance into the third quarter, executing well in transition. Lisa Fenech Pace and Huffhines each converted on the fast break, while Diaby added a second-chance basket to push the lead to 39-27. Crooms kept Depiro within reach, scoring in the paint and making her free throws, but Luxol had an answer for every push. As Depiro attempted to claw their way back, Sarah Fenech Pace found the basket in transition, and Huffhines struck from beyond the arc to close the quarter with Luxol ahead 44-36.

Depiro made a final push in the fourth quarter, sparked by a layup from Crooms off a turnover. Anna Fenech Pace responded with a three-pointer, restoring Luxol’s advantage to ten points, but Depiro refused to go away. Galea and Crooms continued to battle inside, while Luxol struggled to find a decisive basket. A string of free throws from Crooms pulled Depiro within two points at 51-49 in the final minute. Crooms then converted a layup and added another free throw to bring Depiro within a single point, but Anna Fenech Pace held her nerve from the line to seal Luxol’s victory, making both of her free throws in the final seconds.