Comets Ignite Late, Blast Gladiators 107-85 on Thorne's Dominance
Houston's Stellar Second Half Seals Blowout Over Struggling Barcelona
By Anya Sharma
HOUSTON – The Houston Comets unleashed a furious second-half offensive surge to dominate the Barcelona Gladiators, cruising to a decisive 107-85 victory in Pro League action. After a tightly contested first half, the Comets found their rhythm, outscoring the Gladiators 58-32 in the final two quarters to secure a crucial win.
The game began with both teams trading blows, but shooting struggles plagued Barcelona throughout. Despite strong rebounding efforts, particularly from Maximo Suarez (11 points, 8 rebounds) and Maya Flores (7 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists), the Gladiators couldn’t find consistent scoring. Priya Sharma led Barcelona with a team-high 19 points, but the team’s overall 28.9% field goal percentage proved insurmountable.
The turning point came midway through the third quarter. With the score tied, Elias Sorenson (10 points, 5 assists) drained a crucial three-pointer, igniting a Comets run. Marcus Thorne, who finished with a game-high 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, was instrumental, orchestrating the offense and hitting a key three-pointer himself. “We knew we had to pick up the intensity,” Thorne commented after the game. “We focused on moving the ball and trusting each other, and it paid off.”
The Comets’ sharp shooting, particularly from beyond the arc (16-of-34), combined with stingy defense that forced 15 turnovers from Barcelona, ultimately sealed the victory. Coach Ramirez of the Comets praised his team’s resilience. “This was a total team effort. We weathered their initial push and then executed our game plan. I’m proud of the way they responded.”
Barcelona, despite the loss, showed flashes of potential with their rebounding numbers, but will need to find a more consistent offensive output to compete in the Pro League.
Key Notes:
- Houston’s 47.1% three-point shooting was a significant factor.
- The Comets’ 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio highlights their superior ball movement.
- Barcelona’s 28.9% field goal percentage was a season low.
- Marcus Thorne and Priya Sharma were the game’s leading scorers with 19 points each.