Scorchers Snatch Victory from Prowlers in Nail-Biting 112-111 Thriller
Bjornsen's Masterclass in Playmaking Seals Dramatic Phoenix Win
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Scorchers secured a heart-stopping 112-111 victory over the Denver Prowlers Tuesday night, riding a wave of clutch plays and a stellar all-around performance to maintain their momentum in the February season. In a game that saw multiple lead changes and neither team able to build a significant advantage, it was a late surge by the Scorchers, fueled by spectacular passing and timely scoring, that ultimately decided a contest with playoff implications.
The Prowlers, led by a dynamic Sita Khan, came out firing, with Khan pouring in 21 points and dishing out 7 assists. Denver’s offense found its rhythm early, particularly from beyond the arc, building a lead that Phoenix had to claw back.
The Scorchers’ response was a collective effort. Adam Johnson and Willow Chen provided crucial scoring punch throughout the game, finishing with 20 and 19 points respectively. However, the true architect of the Scorchers’ late success was point guard Ingrid Bjornsen. Bjornsen orchestrated the offense with precision, tallying an astonishing 10 assists to complement her 13 points, including a pivotal three-pointer that shifted the momentum in the fourth quarter.
“We knew this was going to be a tough one,” said Scorchers Head Coach Maria Rodriguez. “Denver is a talented team, and they pushed us to our absolute limit. But our players showed incredible resilience and heart. Ingrid was just phenomenal tonight, setting everyone up and making the big plays when we needed them most.”
The final minutes were a tense affair. With the score knotted, Bjornsen found a cutting teammate for a go-ahead basket, followed by a defensive stop and then a crucial free throw to ice the game. The Prowlers had a final opportunity, but a well-contested shot at the buzzer fell short.
“It’s tough to lose a game like that,” a visibly disappointed Sita Khan commented post-game. “We played hard, but Phoenix made one more play than we did. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
Key Notes:
- Phoenix Scorchers: 60 total rebounds (18 offensive) vs. Denver Prowlers’ 48.
- Ingrid Bjornsen (PHX): 10 assists, leading all players.
- Sita Khan (DEN): 21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists.
- Phoenix Scorchers shot 35.6% (16/45) from three-point range.
- Adam Johnson (PHX): 20 points, leading Scorchers scorers.