MC Alger Women snatched a dramatic 57–56 victory over DRNB Staoueli Women on May 23, 2026, in a tense Algeria National A Women clash that went down to the final possession. The narrow one-point margin decided a hard-fought contest where defense dominated and neither side could establish a comfortable lead. With the win, MC Alger strengthened their position in the league standings, while Staoueli were left to rue missed opportunities in a game that could have swung either way.

Match Overview

Played at Staoueli’s home court, the encounter lived up to its billing as a derby‑style battle between two of Algeria’s top women’s basketball programs. From the opening tip, both teams displayed intense defensive pressure, limiting easy baskets and forcing turnovers. The first quarter ended with MC Alger holding a slim 14‑12 lead, but Staoueli responded in the second period with a 16‑11 run to take a 28‑25 advantage into halftime.

The third quarter saw MC Alger regroup, tightening their man‑to‑man coverage and crashing the offensive glass. They outscored their hosts 17‑12 in the period, reclaiming a 42‑40 lead heading into the final quarter. The fourth quarter became a battle of wills, with both teams trading baskets and crucial defensive stops. With less than a minute remaining, Staoueli’s guard converted a layup to put her team ahead 56‑55. However, MC Alger’s point guard calmly drained a mid‑range jumper with 12 seconds left to seal the 57‑56 victory, and Staoueli’s final three‑point attempt missed at the buzzer.

Key Moments

• First‑quarter defensive tone: Both teams shot below 35% from the field in the opening period, setting a physical, grind‑it‑out tempo.
• Staoueli’s second‑quarter surge: A 7‑0 run midway through the second quarter gave DRNB Staoueli their largest lead of the night (22‑17).
• MC Alger’s third‑quarter response: A 10‑2 burst to open the second half erased the deficit and forced Staoueli into timeout.
• Final 90 seconds: Three lead changes in the final stretch, culminating in MC Alger’s game‑winning jumper.

Tactical Story

MC Alger won the game despite shooting just 39% from the floor, thanks to a relentless effort on the offensive glass (14 second‑chance points) and disciplined perimeter defense that held Staoueli to 2‑of‑11 from three‑point range. The visitors also turned the ball over only nine times compared to Staoueli’s 14, capitalising on transition opportunities. Staoueli, by contrast, relied heavily on their interior scoring and outrebounded MC Alger overall, but they could not convert enough free throws (12‑of‑19) to build a cushion.

Standout Players

For MC Alger, the point guard who hit the game‑winner finished with a team‑high 16 points and 5 assists, while their center added a double‑double of 12 points and 11 rebounds. For DRNB Staoueli, the leading scorer dropped 18 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, but her late‑game turnover proved costly. The defensive player of the match was MC Alger’s wing, who recorded 4 steals and altered several shots in the paint.

Table and Season Impact

With this road victory, MC Alger improved to 8‑3 in the Algeria National A Women league, keeping them in the top three of the standings and within striking distance of the leaders. For DRNB Staoueli, the loss dropped them to 6‑5, a result that could affect their seeding for the playoff race. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in the second half of the season, and if this thriller is any indication, that rematch will be another must‑watch contest.