Malta narrowly lose to Luxembourg

Ivan Delgado

In the men's game, Josh Tomasi (208-F-2000, college: St.Cloud St.) led the Malta scoring just like the night before, this time putting up 19 points and four rebounds. Nelson Kahler (206-C/F-1994, college: CSU-Pueblo) added 14 together with eight rebounds and two assists, as Kurt Cassar (208-C-1999) rounded the double-digit scoring with 11, four rebounds and two assists. After a memorable victory against Montenegro on Wednesday, things looked heading in the same direction when just five seconds into the game, Tevin Falzon (203-SF-1992, college: Sacred Heart) hit a corner three with Tomasi dunking, and Kahler adding another bucket before the first minute was even over. Malta's players looked like they were finally enjoying themselves out on the court together, no longer seeming a disjointed set of gifted players but a team. A close first quarter came to an end with Malta up by six at the end as Aaron Falzon (203-F-1996, college: Quinnipiac), who finished with five points before fouling out, netted a corner three at the buzzer. Second chance points were Luxembourg's modus operandi in the second quarter and this seemed to work in their favour as they levelled proceedings at 33-33. They took the lead with a three-ball and proceeded to open a six-point lead. But with two minutes to go a three-ball from Tevin Falzon, a free throw from Kahler, and a midrange jumper from Eric Washington (183-PG-1993, college: Miami, OH) brought things level yet again. Luxembourg pushed forward again with Washington hitting late to bring the game to within three at the halftime break. In the third quarter, Malta kept up their momentum and the lead changed for the third time of the game. It was then neck and neck in the fourth quarter as Malta lead with close margins. However, Luxembourg levelled with 1.20 to go and they kept a two-point lead until the end. Ivan Delgado (193-PG-1998) finished with 20 points for the winners.
Courtesy of: sportsdesk.com.mt

Tags : IVAN DELGADO, TEAM EHINGEN URSPRING, GAMES OF THE SMALL STATES OF EUROPEN BASKETBALL