Liga Feminina Round 9 (Regular Season): Sporting is defeated by Benfica in a derby game

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Lisbon: Benfica (#3) and Sporting (#4). Benfica (7-2) won against visiting Sporting (6-3) 74-67. Benfica looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Brazilian center Leticia Soares (188-1997, college: San Diego) stepped up and scored 24 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and the former international guard Maria Bettencourt (173-1991) chipped in 11 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was the former international guard Simone Costa (178-1996, college: Georgia) with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Benfica have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains third place with 7-2 record having just two points less than leader Q.Lombos. Newly promoted Sporting keeps the fourth position with three games lost. Benfica are looking forward to face Galitos (#9) in Aveiro in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Sporting will play on the road against Coimbroes (#12) in Vila Nova de Gaia and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Liga Feminina top team - Q.Lombos (9-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed eighth ranked GDESSA (3-6) in Barreiro 84-63. nailed 17 points and 5 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Nahomis Vargas-Hardy accounted for 14 points and 8 rebounds. Q.Lombos' coach felt very confident using 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brazilian center Leticia Soares (188-1997, college: San Diego) came up with 9 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for GDESSA in the defeat. Undefeated Q.Lombos have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. GDESSA at the other side keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Sanjoanense and Galitos. Q.Lombos will play against CAB Madeira (#11) in Funchal in the next round and are hoping to win another game. GDESSA will play at home against Sportiva and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Funchal between CAB Madeira and Sanjoanense. Eleventh ranked CAB Madeira (2-7) got a very close home victory over 10th ranked Sanjoanense (3-6). CAB Madeira managed to escape with a 1-point win 83-82 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was Taylor Langan who scored 25 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Carolina Anacleto who recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points, 6 rebounds and 13 assists. CAB Madeira maintains eleventh place with 2-7 record. Sanjoanense lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team dropped to the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with GDESSA and Galitos. CAB Madeira will meet league's leader Q.Lombos in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sanjoanense will play against the league's second-placed Imortal (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 9: bottom-ranked Coimbroes were destroyed by Imortal on the opponent's court 104-85. Esgueira managed to outperform Galitos in a home game 81-78. Sportiva recorded a loss to Benfica on the road 75-69. Sporting defeated Barcelos on its own court 74-64.

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Imortal - Coimbroes 104-85

Very expected game in Albufeira where 12th ranked Coimbroes (1-8) were crushed by second ranked Imortal (8-1) 104-85 on Saturday. Imortal made 27-of-32 free shots (84.4 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Micaela Kelly (168-1998, college: CMU) who scored 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Melissa Akullu chipped in a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds. Five Imortal players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was who recorded 30 points and Cuban center Nahomis Vargas-Hardy (188-2003) added 15 points respectively. Coimbroes' coach rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Imortal. They maintain second place with 8-1 record behind leader Q.Lombos. Newly promoted Coimbroes stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. Imortal will meet Sanjoanense (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Coimbroes will play against Sporting and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Imortal: M.Akullu 23+10reb+3ast, K.Micaela 22+9reb+5ast, L.Natalia 18+2reb+4ast, V.Marta 12+5ast, S.Mariana 11+2reb+1ast, T.Ajulu 10+3reb+2ast
Coimbroes: G.Lauren 30+4reb+1ast, M.Mariana 15+4reb+1ast, C.Primm 13+2reb+2ast, M.Maria 9+1reb+3ast, C.Zarria 8+7reb, C.Ana 4

CAB Madeira - Sanjoanense 83-82

A very close game took place in Funchal between CAB Madeira and Sanjoanense. Eleventh ranked CAB Madeira (2-7) got a very close home victory over 10th ranked Sanjoanense (3-6). CAB Madeira managed to escape with a 1-point win 83-82 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was American guard Taylor Langan (178-2000, college: Rider) who scored 25 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Maria Lopes chipped in 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Micaela Kelly (168-1998, college: CMU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points, 6 rebounds and 13 assists and Estonian swingman Estere Petrus (174-2006) added 23 points and 4 assists respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. CAB Madeira maintains eleventh place with 2-7 record. Sanjoanense lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team dropped to the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with GDESSA and Galitos. CAB Madeira will meet league's leader Q.Lombos in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sanjoanense will play against the league's second-placed Imortal (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
CAB Madeira: L.Taylor 25+8reb+6ast, M.Lopes 18+8reb+5ast, J.Hulda 17+4reb, M.Burke 15+6reb+1ast, O.Ellen 8+1reb+2ast, C.Goncalves 0
Sanjoanense: E.Petrus 23+3reb+4ast, E.Miller 20+5reb, S.Bimpa 16+11reb+1ast, A.Carolina 12+6reb+13ast, S.Juliana 7+8reb+2ast, A.Joana 2+2reb+1ast

Esgueira - Galitos 81-78

Everything could happen in Aveiro at the game between two tied teams. Both seventh ranked Esgueira and 9th ranked Galitos had identical 3-5 record. This time Esgueira used a home court advantage and edged the opponent from Aveiro 81-78 on Saturday night. Esgueira outrebounded Galitos 46-35 including 36 on the defensive glass. Esgueira looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was Taris Thornton who had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds (went 12 for 12 at the free throw line !!!). Gabriela Raimundo chipped in 9 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and 5 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Taylor Langan (178-2000, college: Rider) who recorded 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Daniela Domingues added 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Esgueira (4-5) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Barcelos and Sportiva. Galitos lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Sanjoanense and GDESSA. Esgueira will meet Barcelos (#6) on the road in the next round. Galitos will play against Benfica and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Esgueira: T.Thornton 24+13reb, R.Victoria 17+6reb+3ast, B.Barbara 13+11reb+2ast, S.Kosareva 10+3reb+1ast, G.Raimundo 9+10reb+13ast, D.Ferreira 7+1reb
Galitos: N.Ines 28+5reb+5ast, D.Daniela 22+9reb+5ast, N.Luisa 11+5reb+1ast, I.Kristina 10+11reb+2ast, M.Ana 5+1ast, C.Joana 2+3reb+3ast

Benfica - Sportiva 75-69

Not a big story in a game in Lisbon where 5th ranked Sportiva (4-5) was defeated by third ranked Benfica (7-2) 75-69 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was the former international guard Maria Bettencourt (173-1991) who scored 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Brazilian center Leticia Soares (188-1997, college: San Diego) chipped in 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Brazilian guard Bella Nascimento (173-2002, college: William & Mary) who recorded 27 points and 6 rebounds and Brazilian center Monique Soares (190-1996) added 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Benfica. Defending champion maintains third place with 7-2 record having just two points less than leader Q.Lombos. Loser Sportiva keeps the fifth position with five games lost. They share it with Esgueira and Barcelos. Benfica will meet Galitos (#9) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Sportiva will play against GDESSA (#8) in Barreiro and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Benfica: I.Faustino 19, B.Maria 19+8reb+4ast, S.Leticia 14+6reb+6ast, B.Artemis 7+6reb, O.De 5+1reb+1ast, M.Marta 5+1reb+2ast
Sportiva: B.Nascimento 27+6reb+3ast, M.Soares 16+9reb+4ast, G.Rivera 10+3reb+1ast, C.Goncalves 9+9reb+10ast, C.Mariana 3+1ast, R.Rita 2+3reb+1ast

Sporting - Barcelos 74-64

Everything went according to plan in Lisbon where fourth ranked Sporting (6-3) beat 6th ranked Barcelos (4-5) 74-64 on Saturday. Sporting made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. The best player for the winners was American forward Dayna Rouse (186-1998, college: Longwood) who scored 24 points. Luana Serranho chipped in 17 points. Four Sporting players scored in double figures. Sporting's coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Maria Bettencourt (173-1991) who recorded 21 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and Brazilian center Leticia Soares (188-1997, college: San Diego) added 14 points and 10 rebounds respectively. Newly promoted Sporting maintains fourth place with 6-3 record. Loser Barcelos dropped to the fifth position with five games lost. They share it with Esgueira and Sportiva. Sporting will meet bottom-ranked Coimbroes (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Barcelos will play against Esgueira (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sporting: R.Dayna 24+4reb+1ast, L.Serranho 17+2reb+3ast, C.Simone 14+2reb+4ast, H.Emma 11+3reb+2ast, F.Emilia 4+5reb+2ast, C.Marcia 2+1reb+1ast
Barcelos: W.Becca 21+8reb+6ast, M.Mogensen 15+1reb+2ast, V.Kimberly 14+10reb+1ast, V.Sengo 8+6reb+1ast, T.Mariana 6+5reb+1ast, A.Jessica 0+1ast

GDESSA - Q.Lombos 63-84

Liga Feminina top team - Q.Lombos (9-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed eighth ranked GDESSA (3-6) in Barreiro 84-63. Jasmine Powell nailed 17 points and 5 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Cuban center Nahomis Vargas-Hardy (188-2003) accounted for 14 points and 8 rebounds. Five Q.Lombos players scored in double figures. Q.Lombos' coach felt very confident using 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brazilian center Leticia Soares (188-1997, college: San Diego) came up with 9 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and Brazilian center Maria Ferreira (193-1994) added 10 points and 9 rebounds respectively for GDESSA in the defeat. Q.Lombos have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. GDESSA at the other side keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Sanjoanense and Galitos. Q.Lombos will play against CAB Madeira (#11) in Funchal in the next round and are hoping to win another game. GDESSA will play at home against Sportiva and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Q.Lombos: J.Powell 17+1reb+5ast, R.Anissa 14+5reb+4ast, V.Nahomis 14+8reb+1ast, P.Chanaya 13+4reb+4ast, I.Milica 12+2reb+1ast, C.Sara 10+4reb+2ast
GDESSA: M.Costa 12+3reb+2ast, B.Mya 11+1reb, M.Ferreira 10+9reb, A.Rafferty 9+2reb+2ast, U.Maianca 9+5reb+6ast, L.Park-Lane 9+1reb+3ast

Round 6

Benfica - Sporting 74-67

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Lisbon: Benfica (#3) and Sporting (#4). Benfica (7-2) won against visiting Sporting (6-3) 74-67. Benfica looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Brazilian center Leticia Soares (188-1997, college: San Diego) stepped up and scored 24 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and the former international guard Maria Bettencourt (173-1991) chipped in 11 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was the former international guard Simone Costa (178-1996, college: Georgia) with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and American forward Dayna Rouse (186-1998, college: Longwood) scored 19 points. Benfica have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains third place with 7-2 record having just two points less than leader Q.Lombos. Newly promoted Sporting keeps the fourth position with three games lost. Benfica are looking forward to face Galitos (#9) in Aveiro in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Sporting will play on the road against Coimbroes (#12) in Vila Nova de Gaia and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Benfica: S.Leticia 24+6reb+4ast, I.Faustino 15+2reb+4ast, B.Maria 11+5reb+6ast, O.De 6+1reb, M.Marta 6+3reb+3ast, B.Artemis 5+2reb+1ast
Sporting: D.Rouse 19+3reb+2ast, S.Costa 16+6reb+6ast, S.Luana 10+1reb+2ast, M.Carvalho 9+1reb+1ast, E.Huff 7+2reb, A.Claudia 5+4reb