Orcas Snatch Victory in Athens Decider! Perez's Late Heroics Silence Olympians, 101-100
Perez's Clutch Play Lifts Orcas to Thrilling Road Win
ATHENS – In a nail-biting conclusion to their February 2026 season matchup, the Vancouver Orcas edged out the Athens Olympians in a dramatic 101-100 thriller. The game, which swung back and forth from the opening tip, ultimately came down to the wire, with the Orcas securing a pivotal road victory that sent the home crowd into stunned silence.
The Olympians, led by a stellar 29-point performance from Priya Vance, fought valiantly. Vance was a force on offense, consistently finding ways to score for Athens, while teammate Luna Herrera contributed a crucial double-double with 11 rebounds and 6 points. However, their efforts weren’t enough to overcome a balanced Orcas attack.
The second half saw Vancouver mount a significant comeback. Isabella Perez, who finished with 18 points, proved to be the difference maker in the final minutes. Her relentless drive and clutch scoring kept the Orcas within striking distance throughout the fourth quarter.
“We knew it was going to be a tough environment, but we just stuck together and executed when it mattered most,” said Orcas guard Lena Petrov, who poured in 23 points of her own. “This win means a lot for our confidence moving forward.”
Despite a strong rebounding effort from the Olympians, who outrebounded the Orcas 57-42, Vancouver’s superior shooting efficiency from beyond the arc (37.8% to 29.5%) and a cleaner assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3 to 1.5) ultimately proved decisive. The Olympians’ free-throw struggles, shooting just 56.5% from the line, also played a role in the tight outcome.
“It’s a tough one to swallow, especially at home,” Olympians coach Elias Thorne stated. “We gave it our all, but we have to learn from these close games and find a way to gut out the wins.”
Key Notes:
- Priya Vance led all scorers with 29 points for Athens.
- Lena Petrov’s 23 points and 4 assists were vital for Vancouver.
- The Olympians dominated the boards with 57 total rebounds.
- Vancouver shot an efficient 37.8% from three-point range.
- The Orcas committed only 10 turnovers compared to Athens’ 14.