Triglav Women continued their strong start to the Liga Nova KBM Women season with a composed 73-61 road win over Ilirija Women. The visitors led from the opening minutes, absorbed a third-quarter push from the hosts and closed the game out with a professional final period in Ljubljana.

Early control for the visitors

Triglav began the game with a clear plan: work the ball inside, draw help defenders and kick out to open shooters. The approach paid off quickly, and a steady run of baskets gave them a 19-15 lead after the first quarter. Ilirija stayed competitive through energetic defense and quick transition play, but they struggled to score consistently in the half court.

The second quarter was Triglav's best of the night. They held Ilirija to 14 points while adding 20 of their own, opening up a double-digit advantage at 39-29 going into the break.

Quarter-by-quarter scoring

• First quarter: Ilirija Women 15 – 19 Triglav Women
• Second quarter: Ilirija Women 14 – 20 Triglav Women
• Third quarter: Ilirija Women 18 – 16 Triglav Women
• Fourth quarter: Ilirija Women 14 – 18 Triglav Women
• Final score: Ilirija Women 61 – 73 Triglav Women

Key moments

Ilirija's best stretch came midway through the third quarter. A 10-2 run, powered by two three-pointers and an offensive rebound put-back, cut the deficit to six and brought the home crowd into the game. Triglav's response was immediate and decisive: a timeout, a set play for an open corner three and then a steal-and-score on the next possession pushed the lead back to eleven.

From there, Triglav managed the game expertly. They slowed the tempo, protected the ball and converted their free throws down the stretch, never allowing Ilirija to get within single digits again.

Tactical story

Rebounding was the defining statistic of the night. Triglav's frontcourt dominated the boards at both ends, generating second-chance points and limiting Ilirija's transition opportunities. Their interior passing was also excellent, with the post players finding cutters and shooters whenever Ilirija doubled down.

Ilirija competed hard and forced a number of turnovers with their pressure defense, but their half-court offense lacked variety. Too many possessions ended in contested jumpers, and their shooting percentage suffered as a result.

Standout players

• Nika Kovač (Triglav Women): the game's leading scorer, effective both in the paint and from mid-range.
• Ana Zupan (Triglav Women): a commanding rebounding performance complemented by efficient scoring inside.
• Maja Kos (Triglav Women): directed the offense calmly and made key plays in the decisive third-quarter run.
• Lana Novak (Ilirija Women): the hosts' most dangerous player, aggressive off the dribble and relentless on defense.

What it means for the table

The victory keeps Triglav Women in a strong position in the Liga Nova KBM Women standings and underlines their credentials as one of the more balanced teams in the competition. Their ability to win on the road, in different styles, will be crucial as the season progresses.

Ilirija Women will take encouragement from their third-quarter fightback, but the result leaves them with work to do. Improved shot selection and a stronger presence on the defensive glass are the clear priorities ahead of their next outing.