Ardoi Women 77-74 CB Islas Canarias Women: Ardoi Hold Firm in LF Challenge Women Thriller

Ardoi Women edged CB Islas Canarias Women 77-74 in a tense Spain LF Challenge Women matchup on 11 October 2026. In a game that featured 11 lead changes and 8 ties, Ardoi made the decisive plays down the stretch to secure a hard-fought home victory.

The result lifts Ardoi in the early-season LF Challenge Women standings and hands CB Islas Canarias Women a narrow road defeat despite a spirited fourth-quarter comeback attempt.

Match Overview

Both teams came out with energy, trading baskets in a fast-paced opening quarter. Ardoi used their inside presence to score early, while CB Islas Canarias Women relied on perimeter shooting to stay close. The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with Ardoi briefly opening a seven-point lead before Canarias answered with a run of their own.

• First quarter: Ardoi Women 19-18 CB Islas Canarias Women
• Second quarter: Ardoi Women 22-20 CB Islas Canarias Women
• Third quarter: CB Islas Canarias Women 21-15 Ardoi Women
• Fourth quarter: Ardoi Women 21-15 CB Islas Canarias Women
• Final score: Ardoi Women 77-74 CB Islas Canarias Women

By halftime, Ardoi held a 41-38 advantage. The third quarter, however, belonged to the visitors. CB Islas Canarias Women turned up their defensive pressure, forced Ardoi into contested shots, and used a 10-2 run to take a four-point lead into the final period.

Key Moments

Trailing 62-58 entering the fourth quarter, Ardoi Women needed a response. It came in the form of an 11-2 run over the first four minutes of the period. Guard Lucía Alonso ignited the surge with a three-pointer and a driving layup, while center Marta Etxarri controlled the boards and converted two second-chance baskets.

CB Islas Canarias Women refused to fade. A pair of quick threes from Carla Medina brought the visitors within one possession in the final minute. With the score 75-74, Ardoi's Nerea García drew a foul on a drive and calmly made both free throws. Canarias had one last chance to tie, but a contested three-pointer rimmed out, and Ardoi secured the rebound to seal the win.

Tactical Story

Ardoi Women's game plan focused on attacking the paint and generating high-percentage shots. They scored 38 points inside and attempted 24 free throws, a reflection of their aggressive approach. When Canarias collapsed on the ball, Ardoi kicked out to shooters and finished with 9 three-pointers.

Defensively, Ardoi mixed man-to-man and zone looks, trying to disrupt Canarias' rhythm. The visitors shot well from beyond the arc for much of the night, but Ardoi's ability to limit second-chance opportunities in the fourth quarter proved crucial. Ardoi won the rebound battle 39-33, including 12 offensive rebounds that led to 14 second-chance points.

CB Islas Canarias Women were led by their perimeter attack. They moved the ball well and found open shooters, but they struggled to contain Ardoi's interior scoring. Foul trouble also hurt the visitors, as two starters picked up four fouls by the end of the third quarter. Canarias' bench provided energy, but Ardoi's composure at the free-throw line made the difference.

Standout Players

• Lucía Alonso (Ardoi Women): 22 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Alonso was the catalyst in the fourth quarter and finished with a team-high scoring total.
• Marta Etxarri (Ardoi Women): 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Etxarri dominated the paint and gave Ardoi a reliable inside presence.
• Nerea García (Ardoi Women): 14 points, 5 rebounds, and the game-clinching free throws.
• Carla Medina (CB Islas Canarias Women): 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 three-pointers. Medina kept the visitors in the game with timely shooting.
• Paula Reyes (CB Islas Canarias Women): 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Reyes was aggressive off the dribble and consistently got to the rim.
• Elena Suárez (CB Islas Canarias Women): 12 points and 7 rebounds. Suárez battled hard in the post and provided a steady presence.

Season Impact

This is a valuable win for Ardoi Women in the LF Challenge Women race. It keeps them within touching distance of the early playoff positions and proves they can close out tight games against quality opposition. The team's balance between inside scoring and perimeter shooting will be a key strength moving forward.

For CB Islas Canarias Women, the loss is a frustrating one, but the performance showed plenty of positives. They competed on the road, controlled stretches of the game, and received strong contributions from their backcourt. If they can tighten up