Mar del Plata, Argentina — Peñarol secured a 61-40 victory over 9 de Julio in the third round of the Liga Provincial Femenina on Saturday night, extending their dominance in a rivalry that has defined recent women’s basketball in Buenos Aires Province. The win marked Peñarol’s third consecutive victory in the provincial tournament and continued a streak in which they have defeated 9 de Julio in every meeting since the 2025 season.
The game, played at Peñarol’s home court in Mar del Plata, began with 9 de Julio taking an early 6-4 lead after 3:30 of play. However, Peñarol responded with a 13-0 run to close the first quarter, taking a 13-6 advantage into the second period. Neither team made a three-point shot in the opening frame, with 9 de Julio going 0-for-3 and Peñarol 0-for-4 from beyond the arc.
Peñarol’s defensive pressure disrupted 9 de Julio’s offensive rhythm throughout the contest. The visitors managed only one brief surge, an 11-1 run that cut the deficit to 18-17 late in the second quarter, but could not sustain the momentum. Paloma Bonzi was credited with sparking the defensive intensity that fueled Peñarol’s early surge.
By halftime, Peñarol led 27-19 after outscoring 9 de Julio 14-13 in the second quarter. The marplatense team extended their lead to 43-39 by the complete of the third quarter, holding 9 de Julio to just 20 points in the frame despite a competitive start to the period.
In the final quarter, Peñarol pulled away decisively, outscoring 9 de Julio 18-1 to seal the 61-40 victory. The visitors managed only a single field goal in the entire fourth quarter, highlighting the effectiveness of Peñarol’s defensive adjustments after halftime.
Peñarol’s offensive production was led by Celeste Selent, who contributed 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Valentina De Cabo, who added 11 points. Tamara Dell’Olio scored four points, whereas Julieta Barrionuevo tallied 11 points. On the 9 de Julio side, Emilia Fernández led all scorers with 14 points, including eight made free throws on 10 attempts. María Belén Tombesi added eight points and 13 rebounds, while Isabella Roldán contributed seven points.
9 de Julio struggled with shooting efficiency throughout the game, particularly from long range. The team finished 4-for-20 on three-point attempts and 13-for-51 on overall field goals, a stark contrast to Peñarol’s more balanced offensive approach.
The loss leaves 9 de Julio with a 2-1 record in the Liga Provincial Femenina, while Peñarol improves to 3-0. Both teams entered the match undefeated, but Peñarol’s victory reinforces their status as the team to beat in the provincial competition.
Historically, the rivalry has favored Peñarol in recent seasons. The two teams met four times during the 2025 campaign, including the Provincial Femenino final, with Peñarol winning each encounter. Their most recent meeting prior to this game was the Súper 4 final in December 2025, where Peñarol prevailed 53-46 to claim the championship.
Looking ahead, 9 de Julio will look to regroup and adjust their offensive strategy before their next provincial fixture. Peñarol aims to maintain their momentum as they continue toward the latter stages of the tournament.
For continued coverage of the Liga Provincial Femenina and other women’s basketball developments across Argentina, follow official updates from the Federación Bonaerense de Básquet.
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