Matharu’s 21 points lead ASCVD to the WBLA Final Four

Matharu’s 21 points lead ASCVD to the WBLA Final Four

ASCVD’s march to the Final Four did not happen in a vacuum. It was shaped by three games of rising confidence, a roster that finally found its rhythm, and a coach whose message, defend together, stay connected, trust the inside game, became a mantra. Coming into the Quarter-Finals at the Prince Abdallah Al Faisal Sports Hall, they carried the weight of a flawless 3-0 run, but also a sense that the real test was still ahead.

REG arrived as a team hardened by tighter margins. Their 2-1 streak reflected resilience, and in Kayana Traylor, they possessed one of the most fluid scorers in the tournament. Yet from the first exchanges, the tone was unmistakable. ASCVD were not merely intent on winning; they were determined to dictate.

They locked in defensively, battled on the glass, and applied the kind of discipline that allows talent to flourish. The opening quarter revealed the first signs of separation. ASCVD’s pressure disrupted REG’s rhythm, forcing turnovers that quickly became transition points. A 21–13 edge felt like a statement: every loose ball, every contested rebound, every forced baseline detour mattered.

Matharu set the cadence with her composure and shot-making, while the frontline worked relentlessly to shut down second-chance opportunities.
By halftime, ASCVD had powered their way to a 41–29 advantage. Their interior presence tilted the game—scoring in the paint came with ease, while REG struggled to establish themselves near the rim. With 13 second-chance points against REG’s two and a significant advantage in points off turnovers, the blueprint was clear. ASCVD were not simply more efficient; they were more intentional.

The one pushback came in the third quarter. REG punched back with urgency, leaned on Traylor’s scoring instincts, and found brief momentum. But while they won the period by a single point, ASCVD never lost control of the tempo. Each time REG appeared ready to shift the narrative, ASCVD answered with physical defence, timely drives, or a stabilising rebound. And when the fourth quarter arrived, ASCVD closed the door entirely, outscoring REG 13–4 in a stretch defined by assertive defence and calculated execution.

Aliyah Matharu, who finished with 21 points in under 30 minutes, embodied the tone. Every one of her movements, curling off screens, navigating tight pockets, reading double teams, showed the confidence of a player who knew the stakes but never played in fear of them. After the game, she spoke with a reflective calm, giving insight into the mindset that drove ASCVD’s dominance.

“As a team, our focus was exactly what the coach has been emphasizing: staying locked in defensively,” she explained. “He wanted us to utilise the post more, something we had done effectively in previous games. So we concentrated on finding the open player, trusting one another, and ensuring that our collective defensive effort remained constant.”

Her analysis of ASCVD’s defensive preparation was equally measured. REG’s Traylor still scored 22 points, a testament to her ability, but ASCVD limited every secondary threat, collapsing space whenever REG attempted to reset.

“It was not about targeting one player in particular,” Matharu continued. “We were aware of her strengths, especially her shooting, and we wanted to make every attempt as difficult as possible. Beyond that, our aim was to minimise the contributions of their other key pieces. We approached the game with a strong defensive mindset, and it showed.”

That mindset mirrored the production of her teammates. Alimata Coulibaly’s 17 points and 10 rebounds showcased her command of the interior. Aminata Ndong delivered all-court activity, facilitating ball movement and anchoring defensive sequences. ASCVD’s synergy was unmistakable: hard closeouts, precise rotations, and a collective clarity about where REG derived its offence.

The victory, decisive as it was, did not create complacency. With the Final Four now ahead, Matharu spoke with a grounded maturity that revealed ASCVD’s internal compass.

“We are taking everything one step at a time,” she said. “Our focus remains on the controllable details—defence, effort, and playing with intent. As long as we maintain that mentality, we will put ourselves in the best position. When you give your maximum every time you step on the court, the results follow.”

In Cairo, ASCVD did more than win a Quarter-Final; they reaffirmed their identity. They now stand, undefeated, among the last four, their beliefs fueled by ambition and a sense of belonging among the best.

[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]