Bears Bite Back: Berlin Survives Olympians' Late Surge in 101-93 Victory
Zhang, Ford Lead Bears Past Olympians in Hard-Fought Pro League Clash
BERLIN – The Berlin Bears held off a furious late-game rally from the Athens Olympians to secure a crucial 101-93 victory on Saturday, solidifying their playoff hopes in a tense Pro League encounter. After building a significant lead, the Bears found themselves under siege in the fourth quarter, but clutch plays and stellar offensive performances ultimately secured the win.
The game started at a blistering pace, with both teams trading baskets. The Bears established an early advantage behind the sharp shooting of Kun Zhang, who finished with 20 points, and the all-around game of Quentin Ford, tallying 14 points and 8 rebounds. Berlin’s ball movement was exceptional, leading to 23 assists and a controlled offensive flow that kept the Olympians on their back foot.
Athens refused to fold, however. Sophie Lane was a force for the Olympians, pouring in a game-high 22 points and adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists. The Olympians’ ability to connect from deep kept them within striking distance throughout the second half. A key turning point came mid-way through the third quarter when Kun Zhang, after a steal, connected on a crucial three-pointer, extending Berlin’s lead.
However, the Olympians made a valiant push in the final frame. Strong offensive rebounding and a series of quick baskets by Chloe Lee and Javier Lopez narrowed the deficit to just four points with under two minutes remaining. The Bears responded with defensive stops and timely free throws, punctuated by a vital defensive stand initiated by a block from Anya Petrova. Anya Lindgren’s crucial basket in the closing minutes sealed the deal for Berlin.
“We knew they wouldn’t quit,” said Bears Head Coach, Markus Schmidt after the game. “Give them credit, they fought hard. But our guys stayed composed and executed when it mattered most. This was a massive team win.”
Quentin Ford echoed the sentiment. “It was a grind. We built up a good lead, but they hit some tough shots. The communication on defense was key in those final minutes. We dug deep.”
Key Notes:
- Athens’ Sophie Lane led all scorers with 22 points.
- Berlin’s Quentin Ford nearly registered a double-double with 14 points and 8 rebounds.
- The Berlin Bears dished out 23 assists against just 5 turnovers.
- Athens secured 4 more rebounds than Berlin (49-47), but struggled at the free-throw line, shooting just 40% (6/15).