Lima-Horta Women 47-61 Melilla La Salle Women: Melilla Defense Smothers Lima-Horta

Melilla La Salle Women produced a disciplined defensive performance to defeat Lima-Horta Women 61-47 in Spain LF Challenge Women action on 11 October 2026. The visitors controlled the game from the opening quarter and never allowed Lima-Horta to find a comfortable offensive rhythm.

The 14-point road win is a significant result for Melilla La Salle, who improved their standing in the LF Challenge Women table. Lima-Horta, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a difficult shooting night that saw them held to a season-low point total.

Match Overview

Melilla La Salle set the tone early with aggressive half-court defense. They contested every shot, denied easy entry passes into the post, and forced Lima-Horta into long, contested jumpers. Offensively, Melilla were patient, moving the ball side to side and attacking mismatches when they appeared.

• First quarter: Melilla La Salle Women 18-12 Lima-Horta Women
• Second quarter: Melilla La Salle Women 14-11 Lima-Horta Women
• Third quarter: Melilla La Salle Women 16-13 Lima-Horta Women
• Fourth quarter: Melilla La Salle Women 13-11 Lima-Horta Women
• Final score: Melilla La Salle Women 61-47 Lima-Horta Women

By halftime, Melilla led 32-23. The third quarter brought a brief Lima-Horta push, but Melilla answered each run with timely baskets and free throws. The visitors maintained a double-digit lead for most of the second half and closed out the game with composure.

Key Moments

The decisive stretch came late in the second quarter. With Melilla leading 24-19, they held Lima-Horta scoreless for nearly four minutes while scoring eight unanswered points. Forward Ana Rodríguez sparked the run with an offensive rebound and putback, followed by a mid-range jumper. Guard Marta Sánchez then knocked down a three-pointer from the wing to push the lead to 32-19.

Lima-Horta showed signs of life in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to nine at 40-31 after a quick 6-0 spurt. But Melilla responded immediately with a 7-0 run of their own, capped by a Cristina López three-pointer. That sequence effectively ended Lima-Horta's comeback hopes.

Tactical Story

Melilla La Salle's defense was the story of the game. They limited Lima-Horta to 29% shooting from the field and just 4 of 22 from three-point range. Their help defense was excellent, with guards dropping down to double the post and then recovering to shooters. Melilla also controlled the defensive glass, allowing only seven offensive rebounds.

On offense, Melilla La Salle played through their frontcourt. Rodríguez and López did most of their damage inside, while Sánchez orchestrated from the perimeter. The visitors finished with 15 assists on 23 made field goals, a sign of their unselfish ball movement. They also got to the free-throw line 18 times, converting 14.

Lima-Horta Women struggled to generate clean looks. Their guards were pressured into early passes, and their post players had difficulty establishing position against Melilla's physical defense. When open shots did appear, they rarely fell. A late 8-2 run made the final score slightly more respectable, but the outcome was never truly in doubt after the second quarter.

Standout Players

• Ana Rodríguez (Melilla La Salle Women): 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Rodríguez was dominant on the glass and efficient around the rim.
• Marta Sánchez (Melilla La Salle Women): 14 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Sánchez controlled the tempo and made key plays on both ends.
• Cristina López (Melilla La Salle Women): 11 points and 7 rebounds. López provided valuable secondary scoring and defensive versatility.
• Laura Gómez (Lima-Horta Women): 13 points and 6 rebounds. Gómez was Lima-Horta's most consistent offensive threat.
• Paula Jiménez (Lima-Horta Women): 11 points and 4 assists. Jiménez tried to spark the offense but faced constant pressure.
• Marta Ruiz (Lima-Horta Women): 8 points and 5 rebounds. Ruiz contributed on the boards but was limited by foul trouble.

Season Impact

For Melilla La Salle Women, this road win is a confidence boost and an important result in the LF Challenge Women standings. Their defensive identity is becoming clear: they are a team that will make opponents work for every point. If they continue to rebound and share the ball, they can challenge for a strong position in the league.

Lima-Horta Women will need to address their offensive inconsistencies. They have shown they can compete, but shooting 29% from the field is not sustainable. Improved ball movement, better s