Olympians Storm Chicago, Wolves' Defense Falters in 109-95 Loss

CHICAGO – The Athens Olympians delivered a clinical offensive performance on the road, downing the Chicago Wolves 109-95 in a World Pro League clash that showcased the Olympians’ stellar shooting and ball movement. Despite a valiant effort from Jian Zhao and Julian Santos, the Wolves struggled to match Athens’ consistent scoring and efficient play, particularly in the second half.

The Olympians established their dominance early, with Priya Vance and Chloe Lee orchestrating the offense. Vance, in particular, found her rhythm, draining a crucial three-pointer in the second quarter that ignited a run. While the Wolves clawed back through the efforts of Jian Zhao, who poured in a game-high 30 points, they couldn’t find sustained defensive stops.

Moments of brilliance from the Wolves, like Zhao’s aggressive steals and Santos’ playmaking, kept them within striking distance. However, Athens responded with poise. Chloe Lee became a force in the paint and on the glass, contributing a double-double that stifled any potential Chicago momentum. A key turning point came in the fourth quarter when the Olympians, led by multiple baskets from Priya Vance, pulled away decisively, capitalizing on Wolves turnovers.

“We didn’t execute our game plan on defense today,” admitted Wolves coach Anya Smirnov. “Athens is a good team, and they made us pay for every mistake. We have to learn from this and move forward.”

Jian Zhao, who led the Wolves with 30 points, acknowledged the challenge. “They’re a tough matchup,” he said. “We fought, but consistency was key, and they were more consistent tonight. We’ll regroup.”

Key Notes:

• Athens Olympians shot an efficient 45.8% from the field, compared to Chicago’s 36.7%.
• Chloe Lee recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
• The Olympians dished out 30 assists to just 12 turnovers, showcasing superior ball movement.
• Jian Zhao’s 30 points led all scorers, but was not enough for a Wolves victory.