Luxol turned a closely fought encounter into a commanding victory with a dominant second-half display, as their relentless pressure proved too much for Starlites to handle.

Olivia Wikstrom led the charge with an outstanding 28 points and seven assists, while Sarah Fenech Pace contributed 24 in an imposing performance in the paint. Both players recorded impressive double-doubles, each pulling down 14 rebounds to underline Luxol’s control at both ends of the court.

Starlites relied heavily on Makaila Napoleon, who delivered 18 points on an efficient 63.6 per cent shooting. Georgia Haverlock added 14, but the rest of the side struggled to convert despite logging significant minutes.

Starlites began brightly, with Mikela Riolo opening the scoring before Philippa Riolo and Haverlock found space inside. Haverlock’s basket and additional free throw gave Starlites a 7–4 lead, though Luxol quickly responded. Fenech Pace and Wikstrom combined effectively to edge their side ahead, and despite late free throws from Starlites, Luxol held a narrow two-point advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Napoleon restarted strongly in the second period with a three-pointer followed by a second-chance finish. When Julija Dabic added a lay-up, Starlites looked increasingly comfortable against Luxol’s pressure.

However, Wikstrom’s all-round scoring kept Luxol in contention. Haverlock answered late with three free throws, ensuring the sides went into half-time separated by just one point, with Luxol leading 33–32.

After the break, Zammit Cordina twice levelled the score early in the third quarter, but Luxol soon raised their defensive intensity. A three-pointer from Wikstrom provided breathing space, and although Napoleon briefly reduced the deficit to one, Luxol began to take control.

Two decisive scoring runs, interrupted only by a Haverlock lay-up, saw Luxol extend their lead to 12 heading into the final quarter.

The momentum continued as Sarah and Lisa Fenech Pace combined effectively to stretch the advantage to 17 with second-chance points early in the fourth. Napoleon attempted to spark a comeback, but Wikstrom and Sarah Fenech Pace responded emphatically, pushing the margin beyond 20 midway through the period.

Rebecca Naudi added late points for Starlites, but Luxol quickly cancelled them out, maintaining their intensity until the final buzzer to secure a convincing 27-point win and an excellent start to their finals series.

Starlites Revive: M. Riolo 5, C. Cilia, P. Riolo 4, M. Zammit Cordina 9, M. Fenech, R. Naudi 4, G. Haverlock 14, M. Napoleon 18, J. Abela, J. Dabic 2.

Caffè Moak Luxol: G. Carabott 2, E. Axisa 2, L. Fenech Pace 7, R. Fenech Pace 6, J. Said, E. Abela, S. Fenech Pace 24, O. Wikstrom 28, V. Baldacchino 8, S. Sciberras, A. Fenech Pace 6.

Referees: G. Barbara, M. De Flavia, L. Silvero.