Armenia, Malta and Wales come out of the gates strong

GIBRALTAR (FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship 2017, Division C) - Armenia, Malta and Wales got off to flying starts at the FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship 2017, Division C on Tuesday in Gibraltar, inscribing opening-day victories.

There was absolutely no palace intrigue in the first game of the tournament, as Armenia trounced the Principality of Monaco 81-41 in Group B behind a 19-point, 11-rebound and 5-steal performance by Anna Aslanian, who earned All-Star Five honors at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2017, Division C earlier in the summer.

Armenia won their first game by 40 points

Kristina Ohanian had a team-high 20 points and 7 rebounds for Armenia and Kristina Melikyan double-doubled with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Hermance Marti scored 13 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and got 4 steals for the Principality of Monaco, but had her box score marred by 5-of-20 shooting from the field.

In the other game in the group, Wales nipped tournament hosts Gibraltar 48-46 in a low-scoring game at the Tercentenary Sports Hall after having their noses in front by at least a couple of points most of the game.

Darcie Graham had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the winners, Olivia Thomson chipped in with 12 points, as Mireya Benitez Lopez finished with a monstrous line of 14 points, 22 rebounds and 8 assists in a losing effort for the home side.

Malta held Georgia to just 8 points after intermission

Malta moved to the top of the standings in Group A with a 61-39 victory over Georgia, who led by as many as 16 points in the first half, but managed to collect just 8 points after the halftime break.

Anthea Micallef registered 16 points and 10 rebounds for Malta, with Michela Zammit Cordina adding 13 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.

FIBA