Scorchers Surge Past Lumberjacks 120-96 Behind Balanced Attack, Clutch Shooting

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Scorchers showcased their offensive firepower and defensive prowess tonight, dismantling the Portland Lumberjacks 120-96 in a dominant home performance. After a tightly contested first half, the Scorchers unleashed a relentless barrage of three-pointers and stifling defense to pull away decisively and secure a crucial win in the World Pro League Season 2 standings.

The early momentum swung back and forth, with Portland’s Florian Richter and Sita Devi keeping the Lumberjacks within striking distance, trading buckets with Phoenix’s Isla Chen and Elena Garcia. Richter, who finished with a team-high 18 points, hit a key three-pointer in the second quarter to tie the game, but the Scorchers responded instantly. Lila Petersen’s triple just before halftime ignited a spark for Phoenix, sending them into the break with a slim lead.

That lead quickly evaporated in the third quarter as the Scorchers’ offense exploded. Elena Garcia led the charge, pouring in 21 points, and was complemented by a balanced scoring effort from her teammates. Phoenix knocked down a remarkable 20 three-pointers on the night, with multiple players contributing from beyond the arc. The Scorchers’ ball movement was equally impressive, generating 34 assists against just 7 turnovers, a testament to their cohesive play. Defensively, they were anchored by Lila Petersen’s five blocks, disrupting Portland’s attempts to get back into the game.

“We knew we had to come out with intensity in the second half,” said Scorchers guard Elena Garcia. “We focused on moving the ball and trusting each other, and it paid off. It was a collective effort tonight.”

Portland struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm against the Scorchers’ well-drilled defense. Despite Ashley King’s strong playmaking with 9 assists and Sita Devi’s double-double efforts (13 points, 9 rebounds), the Lumberjacks couldn’t match Phoenix’s scoring output. “We played hard, but Phoenix was just too much tonight, especially from three-point range,” commented Lumberjacks head coach, Mark Jenkins.

Key Notes:

• Phoenix Scorchers shot an outstanding 46.5% (20/43) from beyond the arc.
• The Scorchers dished out 34 assists on 42 made field goals.
• Lila Petersen recorded a game-high 5 blocks for Phoenix.
• Portland Lumberjacks grabbed 49 rebounds, outrebounding Phoenix by one.
• Elena Garcia led all scorers with 21 points for the Scorchers.