Surfers Surge Past Phantoms 99-83 Behind Sterling Second Half
Sydney's Balanced Attack Dominates Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA – The Sydney Surfers rode a decisive third-quarter run to hand the Philadelphia Phantoms a 99-83 defeat in February 2026 season action. A cold shooting night for the Phantoms coupled with a relentless Surfers offense shifted momentum decisively, leaving Philadelphia searching for answers on their home court.
The game remained tight through the first half, with both teams exchanging blows. Philadelphia’s Maya Singh and Aaron Davies provided sparks, but their efforts were matched by a balanced attack from Sydney. The turning point arrived in the third quarter when the Surfers, led by Noah Suzuki and Rafe Mortensen, exploded for a 15-point run, forcing turnovers and converting on the fast break. This surge opened up a lead that the Phantoms, despite a valiant effort from big man Takashi Yamada who grabbed 10 rebounds, couldn’t overcome.
“We just couldn’t find our rhythm tonight,” said Phantoms guard Zara Sanchez, who contributed 10 points and 2 steals. “Sydney played with great intensity, especially in that second half, and we didn’t respond well enough.” The Phantoms struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 23.3% on 43 attempts, a stark contrast to Sydney’s calculated offensive approach.
Sydney Surfers coach acknowledged the challenge. “Philadelphia is a tough opponent, and we knew they’d come out ready to play. We focused on executing our game plan, moving the ball, and trusting each other. Guys like Kwame Mensah on the boards and Noah Suzuki with his scoring were huge for us tonight.”
Key Notes:
- Rebounding Battle: Sydney narrowly outrebounded Philadelphia 50-49, with Kwame Mensah leading all scorers with 15 rebounds.
- Turnover Troubles: The Phantoms committed 11 turnovers to Sydney’s 10, but Sydney was more effective at capitalizing on errors.
- Balanced Scoring: Sydney featured five players in double figures, highlighting their team-oriented offense.
- Shooting Woes: Philadelphia’s 33.3% field goal percentage and 23.3% three-point percentage proved too low to keep pace with the Surfers.