Malta beat Gibraltar 89-63 in FIBA European Championship for Small Countries

Malta made it two wins from two in FIBA European Championship for Small Countries with a 89-63 win over Gibraltar at the National Basketball Arena on Wednesday.

Aaron Falzon, who notched up 32 points in Malta’s win over San Marino on Tuesday, followed it up with 38 points against Gibraltar. Miguel Ortega top scored for Gibraltar with 16 points, while Alejandro Garcia Tejon had seven points and seven assists.

Gibraltar opened up an early 5-1 lead but Malta, led by the impressive Aaron Falzon, responded and had a 29-17 advantage by the end of the first quarter. 6’8” Falzon, who plays with Leicester Riders in the British Basketball League, notched up 15 points in the quarter.

Gibraltar outscored Malta 17-14 in the second quarter, to reduce the deficit to nine points, as they trailed 43-34 by half-time.

But Malta pulled away in the third, Aaron Falzon picking up another 10 points in the quarter and led 67-49.

Falzon with a 50% shooting percentage from three, picking up three of his six in the game in the final quarter. Kurt Cassar also caught the eye for Malta with 18 points, helped by his 100% record from the free throw line, with 8/8.

Gibraltar are back in action on Thursday at 4pm against Andorra, while Malta have to wait ‘til Saturday for their next game, also against Andorra at 4pm.

Quarter score - Q1:17-29, Q2:17-14,  Q3:15-24,  Q4:14-22.

Malta: Jack Zammit (4), David Bugeja (10), Alec Felice Pace (0), Peter Shoults (7), Matthew Scerri (0), Nathan Xuereb (0), Tevin Falzon (9), Ian Felice Pace (0), Aaron Falzon (38), Kurt-Joseph Xuereb (0), Kurt Cassar (18), Phillip Engelbert (0).

Gibraltar: Lucas Perez (6), Callum Culross (2), Nicholas William Gracia (0), Mohamed El Yettefti (0), Thomas Yome (9), Miguel Ortega (16), Ian Roger Yates (0) Christopher Graham Noon (0), Alejandro Garcia Tejon (7), Michael Charles Rodriguez (2), Marius Grigaitis (12), Sam Buxton (9) (C).