FIBA Women: Malta win Game 1 comfortably

Malta 80
Scotland 57

Scotland won their first game against Azerbaijan 73-54 but could do nothing against the reigning champions.

Malta opened with a 6-0 run in the first two minutes of the game. Scotland recovered and leveled the score on 12-12. Malta closed the session with a 6-0 run including a basket by Ashleigh Vella in the last 3 seconds for a score of 18-12. The first basket in the second period came in the third minute.

Malta managed to open a 12 point lead after a basket by Christina Grima. Scotland replied with a trey from Hayward. Coppa's girls kept the lead of 12 points in the 8th minute 32-20 and managed to increase it before half time 38-23. The third session opened with a strong 17-2 run by Malta including a Steffi De Martino's three pointer and half way through the quarter Malta had a comfortable 30 point lead 55-25. The last moments of the quarter where more balanced however Malta was still ahead 65-32.

The final session saw Scotland starting much better with a 15-5 run to reduce the gap to 22 point 70-48. Malta recovered with a short 10-5 break and although the Scottish side managed to win the session, Malta won the game 80-57. There were 5 players on double figures for Malta Rebecca Brincat Thoresen ending as best scorer with 20 points. Steffi De Martino scored 15, Ashleigh Vella and Josephine Grima had 14 and Christina Grima 12.