Diaz's Buzzer-Beater Stuns Centurions in 111-110 Thriller
Sentinels Snatch Victory from Rome on Last-Second Shot
By Sarah Jenkins
ROME – IN A DRAMATIC conclusion that will be talked about for weeks, the Paris Sentinels edged out the Rome Centurions 111-110 on a last-second buzzer-beater by Luna Diaz. The World Pro League encounter hung in the balance throughout, with neither team able to establish significant separation until the final, heart-stopping moments.
The Centurions, powered by a career-high 33 points from Maya Dubois, appeared poised to secure a crucial home victory. Rome’s ball movement was exceptional, boasting 30 assists against a mere 4 turnovers, showcasing smart, unselfish play. However, the Sentinels, anchored by a double-double from Noah Harrison (13 points, 9 rebounds) and a game-winning performance from Luna Diaz who finished with 15 points and 3 assists, refused to yield.
Key moments punctuated the back-and-forth affair. Anton Pavlov’s early three-pointer ignited the Rome faithful, while Maya Dubois’s own long-range magic kept the Centurions in contention. For Paris, it was a collective effort, with Darien Foster adding 13 points and Liam O’Sullivan hitting timely triples. The game was a test of wills, with both teams trading blows and neither backing down. Ultimately, Diaz’s clutch shot sealed the win for the Sentinels, leaving the home crowd in stunned silence.
‘We fought hard, we executed well for most of the game, but hats off to Paris. Luna made an incredible shot,’ said Rome’s coach after the game. “‘This hurts, but we have to learn from it and move forward.”
Paris’s Luna Diaz expressed her elation, “It feels amazing to get this win on the road. We never stopped believing, and I just took the shot when it was there. It’s a team effort.”
Key Notes:
- Luna Diaz hit the game-winning shot as time expired.
- Maya Dubois led all scorers with 33 points for Rome.
- Paris outrebounded Rome 55-45, a significant factor in the close contest.
- Rome’s exceptional 7.5 AST/TO ratio was a testament to their offensive execution, but it wasn’t enough.