The Algeria National A Women’s Basketball Championship delivered a one-sided affair on May 15, 2026, as EL Annaba (W) overwhelmed CRA Mendjili Women with a commanding 53–29 victory at home. The result underscored EL Annaba’s defensive dominance and reinforced their position as a title contender in the league.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, EL Annaba set a relentless pace, suffocating CRA Mendjili’s offensive sets and converting turnovers into easy transition buckets. The home side led 14–6 after the first quarter and never looked back. By halftime, the scoreboard read 29–14, and the gap only widened in the second half as fatigue set in for the visitors. EL Annaba’s balanced scoring and disciplined defense limited CRA Mendjili to a mere 29 points, their lowest output of the season.

Key Moments

• First-quarter blitz: EL Annaba opened with a 10–2 run in the opening five minutes, forcing CRA Mendjili into three quick turnovers.
• Defensive stand: Midway through the third quarter, EL Annaba held CRA Mendjili scoreless for over four minutes, turning a 35–18 lead into a 43–18 advantage.
• Bench contributions: The home team’s reserves outscored CRA Mendjili’s bench 18–7, providing crucial energy in the fourth quarter.

Standout Players

For EL Annaba, the frontcourt duo of Sarah Bensalem and Amira Ouali proved unstoppable. Bensalem recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Ouali added 10 points and 4 blocks. On the perimeter, Lydia Kheddam orchestrated the offense with 7 assists and 3 steals. CRA Mendjili struggled to find consistent scoring, with Ines Bouzid leading her team with just 8 points on 3-of-12 shooting.

Season Impact

The victory moved EL Annaba to a 10–2 record, keeping them within striking distance of league leaders MC Alger Women. For CRA Mendjili, the loss dropped them to 5–7, leaving them in the middle of the standings. EL Annaba’s defensive rating (allowing just 42 points per game over the last five outings) has become the talk of the league, and this performance only solidified their reputation as the most stifling team in the Algeria National A Women.

The two teams will meet again in the return fixture later this season, but for now, EL Annaba can celebrate a comprehensive statement win on their home court.