Traylor Drops 20 As REG Survive Sporting In Tense 67–64 Battle

Traylor Drops 20 As REG Survive Sporting In Tense 67–64 Battle

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Both teams came out aggressively, eager to establish early control. Sporting’s Vilma Covane was late on a defensive rotation and fouled Kristina King, who converted one of her two free throws to open the scoring. REG quickly added to their tally with a fast-break layup by Kadidia Maiga. Sporting responded through Nelma Cunha, who buried a perfectly calibrated three-pointer to get her side on the board—sparking a 9–0 run that shifted the momentum.

REG, however, refused to let Sporting pull away. Odile Tetero knocked down a three off a Kadidia Maiga assist, signaling that the Rwandan side was ready to fight back. From there, the two teams traded baskets, though Sporting managed to maintain a two-possession lead. Scoring contributions were well-distributed on both ends, but Keyana Traylor and Nelma Cunha remained the central figures in Sporting’s offensive rhythm.

Sporting closed the first quarter with a 28–23 edge—an advantage they knew was far from secure against an REG team renowned for its resilience.

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REG opened the second-quarter scoring with a layup from Promise Amukamara as the shot clock expired. Sporting responded immediately, as Geovana Dongua’s fast-break finish ignited a 7–0 run. The surge was halted when Keyana Traylor knocked down two free throws, but Sporting continued to find answers—this time through the ever-reliable Nilsa Chiziane, who hit a smooth jumper to restore their 10-point cushion.

For the next minute, the teams traded baskets in near-identical fashion, keeping the margin unchanged with just over five minutes remaining in the half. Neither side managed to settle into an offensive rhythm during the remainder of the quarter; both scored only three points apiece over a stretch defined by strong defensive stands, missed shots, and unforced errors that neither team could fully exploit.

Keyana Traylor closed the period by calmly sinking three free throws after being fouled by Magda Mussol on the perimeter. Sporting entered halftime with a 44–34 advantage

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REG raised their intensity at the start of the third quarter, opening with a 6–0 run that forced Sporting to call a timeout after going scoreless in the period. The timeout paid off immediately, as Nelma Cunha drew two quick fouls and converted three points to steady her team.

The next two minutes delivered rapid, end-to-end basketball, with both sides pushing the pace. Keyana Traylor hit a three-pointer, only for Eleuteria Lhavanguane to answer with one of her own for Sporting. Traylor continued her strong quarter with a fast-break layup, but Promise Amukamara replied from beyond the arc, cutting the deficit to just two points.

Sortavida Chance then added a floater to restore Sporting’s four-point cushion before both teams entered a brief two-minute scoring drought. Traylor broke the silence with another three, but in a duel of standout performers, Nelma Cunha responded immediately with a three-pointer of her own to keep REG from closing the gap. She struck again from deep moments later, ending the quarter with back-to-back threes to give Sporting a 59–53 lead heading into the final frame

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REG elevated their defensive intensity to another level in the fourth quarter, holding Sporting scoreless for seven straight minutes while seizing a three-point lead. They shut down every offensive option, leaving Sporting searching desperately for a breakthrough. The drought finally ended when Magda Mussol calmly sank two free throws, and despite the long scoring lapse, Sporting remained within striking distance.

Vilma Covane then knocked down a jumper to trim the deficit to a single point with under two minutes remaining. Odile Tetero responded by converting one of her free throws, giving REG a two-point cushion. With 20 seconds left, Nilsa Chiziane was fouled and stepped to the line with a chance to tie the game, but she made only one of the two attempts.

REG immediately pushed the ball in transition, and Chantal Kiyobe finished a fast-break layup to extend the lead to three. Sporting still had a chance, but Eleuteria Lhavanguane missed a layup, and although Covane grabbed the offensive rebound, her follow-up attempt also bounced out with just three seconds remaining

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It seemed as thought the Sporting players were unaware that they needed a three-pointer to tie the game. Nevertheless, REG claimed the win. Keyana Traylor who had 20 points to lead all scorers had the following to say:

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We knew it was going to be a tough, physical match. It took us a minute to match that physicality but once we did, we figured it out.

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She then added the following when asked about the level of competition this year.

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I think it [the competition] could go anywhere. Everybody's tough, one through twelve. They qualified for a reason so you gotta stay focused every game.

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Both teams still have two more games to go, knowing that the road ahead will not be easy but REG rejoice in the win while Sporting go back to the drawing board ahead of the next game.

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[Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]