The Algeria Super Division delivered another night of drama as MC Alger edged WA Boufarik 81-80 in a one-point thriller at the Boufarik arena. In a game that swung back and forth across all four quarters, the visitors held their nerve in the closing seconds to steal a road win that could prove significant when the season's standings are settled.

Match Overview

WA Boufarik came into the contest looking to defend home advantage, and for long stretches they looked capable of doing exactly that. The hosts played with energy at both ends, pushed the tempo in transition and built their offense around quick ball movement that repeatedly found open shooters on the perimeter.

MC Alger, by contrast, were content to slow the game down and lean on their half-court execution. That patience paid dividends late, as the visitors converted their most important possessions of the night while Boufarik were left ruing a handful of missed opportunities at the free-throw line.

• Final score: WA Boufarik 80 – 81 MC Alger
• Competition: Algeria Super Division (basketball)
• Result: MC Alger win on the road by a single point
• Deciding factor: Late-game execution and clutch shooting from MC Alger

How the Game Unfolded

The opening quarter set the tone for what would become a genuinely tight contest. Boufarik started brightly in front of their home supporters, attacking the rim early and drawing fouls to get into the bonus quickly. MC Alger responded with a composed offensive approach, working the ball inside and using their size advantage on the boards to keep the deficit manageable.

By halftime the margin remained within a single possession for much of the period, with both coaches rotating their benches to keep legs fresh. The third quarter brought a shift in momentum: MC Alger tightened their defensive pressure, forced a string of contested shots, and briefly opened up their largest lead of the game.

Boufarik, to their credit, refused to fold. A strong run midway through the fourth quarter brought the crowd back into it and levelled the score, setting up a frantic final few minutes. With the game tied and seconds ticking away, MC Alger found the decisive basket, and Boufarik's last attempt to answer fell short.

Key Moments

The turning points were subtle rather than spectacular. MC Alger's ability to convert second-chance points kept them alive during Boufarik's best stretches, while their discipline in the final two minutes — protecting the ball, using the clock, and getting to the line — proved the difference in a game decided by a single point.

For Boufarik, the frustration will centre on execution rather than effort. A handful of turnovers in the closing minutes and a few missed free throws gave MC Alger exactly the opening they needed to snatch the result.

Standout Performances

MC Alger's backcourt controlled the tempo of the game, dictating when to push and when to settle into set plays, and their leading scorer carried the offensive load in the fourth quarter. Their interior players also did the unglamorous work, battling on the defensive glass to deny Boufarik second chances.

Boufarik's forwards were the bright spot for the hosts, combining inside scoring with energy on the offensive boards. Their guards created well off the dribble, but the team's shooting cooled at precisely the wrong moment.

Season Impact

Results like this shape a campaign. A one-point road victory gives MC Alger momentum and an important head-to-head edge, while WA Boufarik are left with the narrowest of defeats despite a performance that deserved more. In a league where playoff seeding can hinge on a single result, this game may be remembered well beyond September.

Both sides will now look ahead to their next fixtures, with Boufarik eager to convert close games into wins and MC Alger hoping this late-game composure becomes a habit rather than a one-off.