In this battle between two African heavyweights, Sporting de Luanda emerged victorious over REG, advancing to the next round of the placement games. They narrowly won 62-55 to advance to the classification games and are expected to finish fifth in the tournament.
Last Updated on
December 21, 2025
The game got off to a slow start, with neither team scoring in the first minute. The deadlock was broken by Nilsa Chiziane, who had a perfect trip to the free throw line to give Sporting the early lead. She then drew another foul, but this time, she split the pair on the line.
Kristina King then took over the game momentarily when she tied the game with a deep three-pointer before giving REG the lead with a layup. A minute later, Eleuteria Lhavanguane tied the game with a turnaround jump shot. This set the tone for this tightly contested game.
Former WNBA player, Kayana Traylor then got in the mix when she made a jump shot that gave REG what would be their last lead of the game. Thereafter, Sporting went on a 17-3 run to close off the quarter at 22-10. During this run, the scoring was well spread among the team, but what was most impressive was their collective defensive effort. They forced REG into turnovers and foul shots, and did not give any second-chance opportunities.
REG opened the quarter with a three-pointer by Odile Tetero in an attempt to make a comeback. However, Nilsa Chiziane returned fire by attacking the basket, drawing another foul and stepping up to the free-throw line, where she had a perfect trip. REG were reckless with the ball as Magda Mussol stripped Kayana Traylor and took off for an easy, fast break layup.
Sporting continued to attack the paint, and this time, Vilma Covane drew the foul and also had a perfect trip on the line. This run was cut when Kristina King scored a layup and Kayana Traylor a three-pointer.
Nelma Cunha then completed an and-one play, but that did not deter Kayana Traylor, who sank another three. REG showed that they had the proper calibration behind the arc as Sandrine Mushikiwabo sank another three-pointer.
Thereafter, Sporting went on a 9-0 run with five of those nine points coming from the free throw line. Sporting took a 17-point lead, prompting a REG timeout. The timeout paid dividends, tightening their defence, while Kadidia Maiga scored four quick points to bring the score to 41-28 at the half.
There were signs of fatigue in the third quarter from both sides. It was a low-scoring quarter, with Sporting scoring only six points and REG nine. In many ways, this slump can be attributed to the elevated defensive output from both teams, but that was not the whole story, as there were many unforced turnovers and squandered opportunities at the basket. At the end of the quarter, Sporting was up 49-37.
The start of the fourth quarter was a perfect example of equilibrium, as both teams matched each other with eight points apiece. Vilma Covane continued to add to her tally with four more points during this run. REG went on a 4-0 run to begin closing this gap.
Sporting replied with a three-point interruption. In a last-ditch effort, REG went on a 6-0 run and cut the deficit down to five points. However, Sporting's defence made all the difference, keeping REG scoreless in the final two minutes to claim a 62-55 victory.
Kayana Traylor was not impressed with her team's performance and had the following to say in the postgame interview:
"We just didn't show up today, honestly. From the top to the bottom. I don't think anybody played well, we didn't play together. I don't think we did what we've been doing to win the previous games."
It is testament to the toll that such a competition has on a player mentally and physically. However, they get to play another game in the hopes to be seventh overall.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
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