Recap

Betsson Depiro solidified their position at the top of the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League standings with a commanding performance, led by Janai Crooms, who once again shone in a dominant display.

Caffe Moak Luxol struggled from the outset, allowing Depiro to build an early lead that they maintained throughout the game. Claire Ciantar was a constant threat from the high post, while Brandy Huffhines led Luxol’s scoring effort.

Luxol made the first breakthrough through Sarah Fenech Pace, but Depiro responded quickly with Julia Borg finding her range. Huffhines briefly put the Violets back ahead before Ciantar’s shooting gave Depiro the edge. Vanya Baldacchino kept Luxol within a point from the free-throw line, but Ciantar continued to impose herself in the paint, helping Depiro take control. Borg’s back-to-back three-pointers opened up a significant advantage before Kristy Galea’s free throws extended the gap to seven. Ciantar added another basket, and when Crooms struck from beyond the arc on a fast break, Depiro’s lead ballooned to twelve. Huffhines halted the surge momentarily, but another Borg three-pointer and further scoring from the line kept Depiro in the driving seat. By the end of the quarter, Depiro had built a comfortable 25-10 lead.

Depiro’s intensity did not relent as Lisa Fenech Pace and Anna Fenech Pace attempted to rally Luxol with early baskets in the second quarter. However, Nicole Agius quickly answered from deep, and despite another drive from Anna Fenech Pace, Depiro maintained their lead through Ciantar’s efficiency from mid-range. Huffhines capitalised on a turnover to cut the deficit to fourteen before Sarah Fenech Pace and Anna Fenech Pace combined for a solid free-throw spell. Yet, every time Luxol threatened, Depiro had a response. Ciantar and Crooms were relentless, and Julia Borg-Xerri also made her presence felt at the line. A late push from Huffhines and another three-pointer from Anna Fenech Pace saw Luxol go into the half still trailing by fourteen at 42-28.

The third quarter saw Luxol push hard to reduce the deficit, with Anna Fenech Pace converting free throws and Sarah Fenech Pace finishing strong in the paint. Crooms continued to be a handful for the Luxol defence, keeping Depiro’s cushion intact with precise shooting from the line. Josephine Diaby began asserting herself inside, and Huffhines added a deep three to bring Luxol within eleven. When Diaby and Lisa Fenech Pace found the mark again, the margin was down to seven, but Crooms came up big for Depiro, scoring through second-chance opportunities and transition plays. Galea nailed a crucial three-pointer on the break to push Depiro’s lead back to ten, and despite a late jumper from Sarah Fenech Pace, Luxol still trailed 58-50 heading into the final quarter.

Luxol needed a strong start to the fourth, but Agius drilled a three-pointer to put Depiro firmly back in control. Anna Fenech Pace and Lisa Fenech Pace tried to rally their side from the line, but Crooms remained the difference-maker, punishing Luxol inside. Huffhines and Lisa Fenech Pace connected from beyond the arc, cutting the margin to eleven, yet Depiro’s composure never wavered. Galea and Crooms continued to score efficiently, ensuring there would be no late comeback. Even as Luxol scrambled for late points through Anna Fenech Pace and Huffhines, Crooms stamped her authority on the game with back-to-back transition baskets to close it out. A final layup from Nicole Vella proved too little, too late as Depiro sealed the victory, further cementing their dominance at the top of the standings.