Liga Feminina Round 16 (Regular Season): Esgueira edge Sporting by two points

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most exciting game of round 16 in the Liga Feminina took place in Aveiro. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 8th ranked Sporting (7-8) to fifth ranked Esgueira (9-7) 82-80 on Sunday evening. Esgueira made 22-of-28 free shots (78.6 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Point guard Gabriela Raimundo (167-1993) fired a double-double by scoring 11 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists for the winners. American forward Taris Thornton (183, college: Tenn Tech) chipped in 23 points and 6 rebounds. American forward Dayna Rouse (186-1998, college: Longwood) produced a double-double by scoring 26 points and 10 rebounds for lost side. Esgueira have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Barcelos. Sporting lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eighth position with eight games lost. Esgueira is looking forward to face GDESSA (#6) in Barreiro in the next round. Sporting's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Lisbon Benfica.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Lisbon. Second ranked Benfica faced one of their biggest challengers Imortal. Host Benfica (13-3) defeated guests from Albufeira (11-5) 77-70. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Maria Bettencourt (173-1991) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Schaquilla Nunn contributed with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of her seven free throws) for the winners. Benfica's coach Eugenio Rodrigues allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American guard Micaela Kelly (168-1998, college: CMU) replied with 23 points and 4 assists for Imortal. Defending champion maintains second position with 13-3 record having just two points less than leader Q.Lombos. Imortal at the other side keeps the third place with five games lost. Benfica's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Lisbon to the arena Sporting.
Leader Q.Lombos delivered the fifteenth victory on Saturday night. This time they crushed 12th ranked Galitos (3-13) 79-56 in Aveiro. Worth to mention a quality performance of Chanaya Pinto who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side Ines Neto responded with 21 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Q.Lombos maintains first position with 15-1 record. Galitos lost tenth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 13 games lost. Q.Lombos will meet at home Barcelos (#4) in the next round. Galitos will play against CAB Madeira (#11) in Funchal and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rest of the games of round 16 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
CAB Madeira was crushed by Sportiva in Ponta Delgada 87-65. Barcelos beat Sanjoanense at home 76-71. GDESSA lost to Coimbroes on the opponent's court 59-63.

The Round Review is presented by LBM Management. A full-service agency focused on Women's basketball sphere and working worldwide. A global and ethical quality service.

Sportiva - CAB Madeira 87-65

There was no surprise in Ponta Delgada where 10th ranked CAB Madeira (3-11) was crushed by eighth ranked Sportiva (8-8) 87-65 on Saturday. Sportiva dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to CAB Madeira's 32. Sportiva looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Venezuelan swingman Genesis Rivera (180-1996, college: UMass) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and Brazilian center Monique Soares (190-1996) who added 12 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals during the contest. Four Sportiva players scored in double figures. At the losing side American guard Taylor Langan (178-2000, college: Rider) responded with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Maria Lopes (174-2002) scored 19 points. Sportiva moved-up to seventh place. Loser CAB Madeira dropped to the eleventh position with 11 games lost. Sportiva will meet higher ranked Imortal (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. CAB Madeira will play against Galitos (#12) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sportiva: R.Genesis 26+4reb+1ast, N.Bella 15+2reb+3ast, S.Monique 12+10reb+6ast, G.Carolina 11+9reb+7ast, G.Michaela 8+2reb, M.Carvalho 7+1reb+1ast
CAB Madeira: T.Langan 22+8reb+4ast, L.Maria 19+4reb+2ast, E.Ougrinov 9+7reb+2ast, C.Glenda 7+2reb, B.Madeline 6+3reb+2ast, C.Bernardeco 2+3reb+4ast

Barcelos - Sanjoanense 76-71

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Barcelos (9-7) defeated at home 9th ranked Sanjoanense (4-12) 76-71 on Saturday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Barcelos forced 21 Sanjoanense turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Becca Wann-Taylor (180-1992, college: Richmond) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 7 steals and Salvadorean forward Kimberly Villalobos (188-2001, college: SDSU) who added 18 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Wann-Taylor is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. At the losing side American forward Schekinah Bimpa (180-1998, college: Limestone) responded with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field) and her fellow American import Evan Miller (180-2002, college: UNCW) scored 21 points. Barcelos moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Esgueira. Newly promoted Sanjoanense keeps the ninth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Coimbroes. Barcelos will meet league's leader Q.Lombos in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Sanjoanense will play against Coimbroes (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Barcelos: B.Wann-Taylor 21+10reb+5ast, K.Villalobos 18+12reb+1ast, S.Vania 14+6reb, M.Molly 9+4reb+6ast, M.Teixeira 8+1reb+2ast, J.Azulay 6+2reb+1ast
Sanjoanense: S.Bimpa 25+12reb+3ast, E.Miller 21+4reb+2ast, S.Juliana 10+7reb+1ast, E.Petrus 7+2reb, A.Carolina 4+5reb+13ast, R.Bruna 4+1reb

Galitos - Q.Lombos 56-79

Leader Q.Lombos delivered the fifteenth victory on Saturday night. This time they crushed 12th ranked Galitos (3-13) 79-56 in Aveiro. Q.Lombos made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 24 Galitos turnovers. Worth to mention a quality performance of Mozambican forward Chanaya Pinto (185-2000, college: Penn State) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Cuban center Nahomis Vargas-Hardy (188-2003) who added 12 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Five Q.Lombos players scored in double figures. At the losing side guard Ines Neto (172-2005) responded with 21 points and German Luisa Nufer (185-2002) scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Q.Lombos maintains first position with 15-1 record. Galitos lost tenth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 13 games lost. Q.Lombos will meet at home Barcelos (#4) in the next round. Galitos will play against CAB Madeira (#11) in Funchal and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Q.Lombos: P.Chanaya 16+5reb+5ast, I.Milica 13+1reb+2ast, V.Nahomis 12+7reb+1ast, J.Powell 11+5reb+3ast, C.Sara 11+6reb+2ast, M.Roseiro 11+1ast
Galitos: N.Ines 21+2reb+2ast, N.Luisa 12+8reb+3ast, D.Daniela 8+7reb+1ast, S.Koita 7+10reb, M.Ana 5, P.Madalena 2

Benfica - Imortal 77-70

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Lisbon. Second ranked Benfica faced one of their biggest challengers Imortal. Host Benfica (13-3) defeated guests from Albufeira (11-5) 77-70. Benfica made 20-of-24 charity shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Benfica outrebounded Imortal 53-29 including a 22-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. Benfica players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Imortal's players. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Maria Bettencourt (173-1991) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. American center Schaquilla Nunn (190-1994, college: Tennessee) contributed with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of her seven free throws) for the winners. Five Benfica players scored in double figures. Benfica's coach Eugenio Rodrigues allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American guard Micaela Kelly (168-1998, college: CMU) replied with 23 points and 4 assists and Ugandan forward Melissa Akullu (185-1999, college: Vanguard) added 11 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Imortal. Defending champion maintains second position with 13-3 record having just two points less than leader Q.Lombos. Imortal at the other side keeps the third place with five games lost. Benfica's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Lisbon to the arena Sporting.
Top scorers:
Benfica: B.Maria 20+11reb+7ast, N.Schaquilla 19+9reb+4ast, I.Faustino 13+4reb+5ast, O.De 11+6reb+5ast, S.Leticia 10+12reb+4ast, G.Marcy 2+2reb+1ast
Imortal: M.Kelly 23+3reb+4ast, A.Melissa 11+7reb+1ast, S.Rijal 9+6reb+1ast, A.Thatha 7+3reb+1ast, M.Vargas 7+4reb+3ast, N.Lalic 7+1reb

Coimbroes - GDESSA 63-59

There was an upset in Vila Nova de Gaia where higher ranked GDESSA (8-7) was defeated by eleventh ranked Coimbroes (4-12) 63-59 on Sunday. Coimbroes dominated down low during the game scoring 42 of its points in the paint compared to GDESSA's 14. Worth to mention a great performance of Canadian Lauren Golding (183-1998, college: York) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and Jamaican-American guard Crystal Primm (180-1997, college: FAU) who added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Worth to mention Golding played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped get the job in pro basketball. Coimbroes' coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side American guard Lauren Park-Lane (165-2001, college: MSU) responded with 15 points and 4 steals and the former international guard Marcia Costa (173-1989) scored 15 points. Coimbroes moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Sanjoanense. Loser GDESSA dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. Coimbroes will meet Sanjoanense (#9) in the next round. GDESSA will play against Esgueira and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Coimbroes: L.Golding 15+10reb+3ast, P.Crystal 14+6reb+4ast, M.Mafalda 14+1reb+3ast, Z.Carter 7+10reb, D.Baptista 6+3reb+3ast, M.Marinho 5+2reb+1ast
GDESSA: L.Park-Lane 15+4reb+2ast, M.Costa 15+3reb+2ast, B.Mya 9+7reb, U.Maianca 7+4reb+1ast, A.Rafferty 6+5reb, M.Ferreira 3+2reb

Esgueira - Sporting 82-80

The most exciting game of round 16 in the Liga Feminina took place in Aveiro. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 8th ranked Sporting (7-8) to fifth ranked Esgueira (9-7) 82-80 on Sunday evening. Esgueira made 22-of-28 free shots (78.6 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Point guard Gabriela Raimundo (167-1993) fired a double-double by scoring 11 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists for the winners. American forward Taris Thornton (183, college: Tenn Tech) chipped in 23 points and 6 rebounds. American forward Dayna Rouse (186-1998, college: Longwood) produced a double-double by scoring 26 points and 10 rebounds and Canadian guard Emma Huff (180-1997, college: Carleton) added 19 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Esgueira have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Barcelos. Sporting lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eighth position with eight games lost. Esgueira is looking forward to face GDESSA (#6) in Barreiro in the next round. Sporting's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Lisbon Benfica.
Top scorers:
Esgueira: T.Thornton 23+6reb+1ast, R.Victoria 20+5reb+4ast, B.Barbara 17+6reb+4ast, G.Raimundo 11+7reb+12ast, D.Ferreira 7+1reb, S.Kosareva 4+4reb+4ast
Sporting: D.Rouse 26+10reb+3ast, E.Huff 19+4reb+4ast, S.Luana 13+6reb+6ast, M.Catarina 11+5reb+1ast, E.Ferreira 8+6reb+6ast, M.Carvalho 3+2reb+2ast