CAB Madeira Women protected their home court with a hard-fought 73-67 victory over Evora W in the Liga Feminina de Basquetebol on October 26, 2026. The game was decided in the final three minutes, when Madeira closed on a 9-2 run to turn a one-point deficit into a six-point win. The result strengthens Madeira’s position in the upper half of the standings and hands Evora a frustrating road loss.

Match Overview

Both teams traded blows throughout a tightly contested first half, with neither side leading by more than five points. Evora W relied on efficient mid-range shooting and offensive rebounding to stay close, while Madeira used dribble penetration and kick-out threes to keep pace. The score was tied at 34 at halftime, and the third quarter followed a similar pattern, with five lead changes and three ties.

In the fourth quarter, Madeira’s defense tightened. They held Evora to just 11 points over the final eight minutes and forced four turnovers in the closing stretch. The home side’s composure at the free-throw line—6-of-8 in the final minute—sealed the win.

Key Moments

• Clutch three: With 2:15 remaining and Madeira trailing 65-64, guard Ana Rodrigues drilled a step-back three from the top of the key to give her team the lead for good.
• Defensive stop: On the ensuing possession, Madeira’s Mariana Silva blocked a driving layup attempt, leading to a fast-break bucket that pushed the lead to four.
• Free-throw execution: Madeira went 6-of-8 from the line in the final 45 seconds, while Evora missed two critical free throws with under a minute to play.

Tactical Story

Madeira’s switch to a 2-3 zone in the fourth quarter disrupted Evora’s rhythm. Evora had success attacking the basket in the first three quarters, but the zone forced them into contested perimeter shots. Evora shot just 2-of-9 from beyond the arc in the final period after hitting 6-of-13 in the first three quarters.

Offensively, Madeira leaned heavily on high ball screens for Rodrigues, who repeatedly turned the corner and either pulled up for mid-range jumpers or found Silva rolling to the rim. Silva’s presence on the offensive glass—four second-chance points in the fourth quarter—was crucial in extending possessions.

Standout Players

Ana Rodrigues finished with 20 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals, controlling the game’s tempo and hitting the biggest shot of the night. Mariana Silva added 16 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the paint on both ends. For Evora, Inês Costa led the way with 18 points and 8 rebounds, but she was held to just 4 points in the fourth quarter.

Season Impact

The win improves CAB Madeira Women’s home record and keeps them in contention for a top-four playoff seed. Evora W, meanwhile, remains in the middle of the pack but will rue missed opportunities in the closing minutes. Madeira’s next test will come on the road, while Evora returns home looking to regain their offensive rhythm.