Sentinels Silence Comets 102-75 Behind Diaz's Dominance, Secure Crucial Pro League Win
Diaz Leads Balanced Attack as Paris Sentinels Cruise Past Houston Comets
By Anya Sharma, Pro League Correspondent
PARIS – The Paris Sentinels delivered a commanding performance on their home court, dismantling the Houston Comets 102-75 in a pivotal Pro League matchup. A relentless defensive effort and a balanced offensive attack, spearheaded by Luna Diaz, proved too much for the visiting Comets, solidifying the Sentinels’ position in the standings and showcasing their championship aspirations.
The game began with a deliberate pace, but by the second quarter, the Sentinels had seized control. A string of defensive stops, including a crucial steal by Nala Wright that led to an easy fast break, ignited a decisive run. Houston struggled to find their rhythm, hampered by a staggering 19 turnovers against the Sentinels’ active hands and suffocating defense.
Luna Diaz was the offensive catalyst for Paris, pouring in a game-high 15 points to go with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. She was supported by Liam O’Sullivan (12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) and Mei Lin (10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists), who provided crucial scoring and playmaking. The Sentinels’ ball movement was evident, racking up 26 assists on their 39 made field goals.
For the Comets, despite a strong rebounding effort from Lila Sharma (8 rebounds) and Diego Mendez (7 rebounds), their shooting woes were undeniable, connecting on just 31.9% of their field goal attempts and a dismal 26% from beyond the arc. Nikolai Smirnov chipped in 11 points and 3 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Sentinels’ collective strength.
“Our defense was the key tonight,” stated Sentinels Head Coach Jean Dubois. “We communicated well, we hustled, and we limited their second chances. When we play with that intensity, we’re a tough team to beat.”
Diaz added, “We wanted to send a message tonight, and I think we did. It was a total team effort, and we’re excited to keep this momentum going.”
Key Notes:
- Paris Sentinels recorded 26 assists to just 14 turnovers, a 1.9 AST/TO ratio.
- Houston Comets shot a meager 31.9% from the field, struggling offensively.
- Nala Wright led the Sentinels with 4 assists and 3 steals.
- The Sentinels outrebounded the Comets 52-50, including 15 offensive boards.