In a nail-biting finish to a crucial Algeria Super Division fixture, USM Blida edged out WA Boufarik 72-71 in a contest that went down to the final possession. The match, held at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida on the evening of March 15, 2026, was decided by a clutch basket in the dying seconds, keeping Blida's playoff hopes alive while dealing a severe blow to Boufarik's own ambitions.
The game was a tense, defensive battle from the outset, with both teams struggling to find consistent offensive rhythm. USM Blida held a narrow lead for much of the first three quarters, but WA Boufarik mounted a fierce comeback in the final period, taking a brief lead with just over a minute remaining. The decisive moment came with the score tied at 71-71; Blida ran a well-executed isolation play for their star guard, who drove into the lane and hit a difficult floating jumper with just 3.2 seconds on the clock. Boufarik's desperation heave from beyond half-court rattled out as the buzzer sounded, sealing a dramatic one-point victory for the home side.
Key performances included Blida's center, who recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, providing a crucial interior presence. For Boufarik, their point guard was exceptional, dishing out 9 assists and keeping his team in the game with timely scoring. The contest was not without controversy, as a potential charging call against Blida in the final two minutes was reviewed but ultimately upheld, much to the dismay of the visiting bench and supporters.
This result provides a vital two points for USM Blida, moving them up the table and into contention for a top-half finish. For WA Boufarik, the heartbreaking loss leaves them languishing in the lower mid-table, needing a strong finish to the season to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap. In post-match comments, the Blida coach praised his team's resilience, stating, "We showed great heart tonight. To execute under that pressure and get the win is massive for our confidence." The Boufarik manager was philosophical, saying, "It's a tough one to take. We fought hard but came up one play short. We have to learn from it and move on." The starting lineups featured USM Blida's usual core of experienced domestic players, while WA Boufarik relied on a mix of youth and veteran leadership.