Day 3 of the Elite Basketball Tournament Malta 2024 was packed with drama at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion, featuring two men’s games and the historic first-ever Women’s Elite Cup Final.
The women’s competition crowned its inaugural champions as Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) lifted the trophy, led by MVP Izzabelle Booth, who scored a game-high 30 points. Meanwhile, the men’s tournament remains undecided, setting up a thrilling final showdown between Hibernians and USA Select, scheduled for tonight at 6:00 pm at the Malta Basketball Association Pavilion in Ta’ Qali. The winner will take home the championship.
Men’s Competition – USA Select 150–71 Hibernians 2 (HT 77–39)
USA Select flexed their dominance once again with a blowout victory over Hibernians’ second team. They raced to a 77–39 halftime lead and never looked back, eventually hitting the 150-point mark in a 150–71 win. Their relentless pace and depth firmly establish them as favorites heading into the championship decider.
Men’s Competition – Starlites 71–53 ARU (HT 40–18)
Starlites wrapped up their tournament campaign on a strong note, defeating ARU 71–53. A commanding first half gave them control at 40–18, and while ARU mounted a second-half fightback, Starlites held firm.
Matthew Scerri led all Starlites scorers with 16 points.
Women’s Elite Cup Final – ARU 68–56 Hibernians (HT 30–25)
The highlight of Day 3 was the historic Women’s Elite Cup Final, with ARU and Hibernians battling in a tightly contested game. ARU held a slim 30–25 lead at halftime before pulling away in the second half thanks to a brilliant display by Izzabelle Booth, who dropped 30 points.
Booth’s stellar performance not only secured a 68–56 win for ARU but also earned her the honor of being named the first-ever Women’s Elite Cup MVP.
Sports Editor
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