Monarchs Stun Gladiators on Road in Overtime Thriller: Kim's Late Heroics Seal 121-120 Victory
Kim Carries Monarchs Past Gladiators in Epic Overtime Duel
MONTREAL – In a nail-biting World Pro League contest that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Montreal Monarchs staged a dramatic overtime comeback to defeat the Barcelona Gladiators 121-120. The game, a crucial early-season matchup, flipped on its head in the final minutes as the Monarchs, trailing for much of the second half, found a surge of momentum thanks to clutch offensive plays and a resilient defense.
The Gladiators, led by a spectacular 30-point performance from Priya Sharma, looked poised to secure a home victory. Sharma was on fire, hitting key shots and facilitating the offense with four assists. Barcelona established a lead in the third quarter, with Maximo Suarez adding 13 points and Marco Bianchi contributing 14 points and five assists, showcasing a balanced attack. However, their impressive ball movement, resulting in 28 assists against just 7 turnovers, wasn’t enough to put the game away.
The Monarchs, meanwhile, refused to fold. Finn O’Connell matched Sharma’s scoring output with 30 points of his own, adding five assists. The real difference-maker, however, was Samuel Kim. Coming off the bench, Kim poured in 26 points, including a critical field goal that helped force overtime and a go-ahead basket in the extra period. His two steals also disrupted Barcelona’s rhythm.
“We just kept fighting,” said Monarchs guard Mia Jenkins, who added 12 points and four assists. “We knew they were a tough team, but we believed we could win if we stuck together and executed in the clutch.”
Gladiators coach Isabella Rossi lamented her team’s inability to close out the game. “Missed free throws and some defensive lapses cost us,” Rossi admitted. “Give credit to Montreal, they made the plays when it mattered most.”
Key Notes:
- Samuel Kim scored 26 points off the bench for the Monarchs.
- Priya Sharma (30 points) and Finn O’Connell (30 points) were the game’s leading scorers.
- The Monarchs shot an efficient 84.4% from the free-throw line compared to Barcelona’s 50.0%.
- Barcelona dominated the boards with a 56-43 rebounding advantage.
- The Gladiators recorded 20 three-pointers, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Montreal’s late surge.