Olympians Outlast Matadors in Overtime Thriller, 119-115
Lane's Stellar 25 Points Lead Athens Past Madrid in Nail-Biter
By Isabella Rossi
MADRID – In a back-and-forth Pro League showdown that had the sold-out crowd on the edge of their seats, the Athens Olympians edged out the Madrid Matadors 119-115 in a captivating overtime contest. The Olympians showcased their offensive firepower, overcoming a spirited comeback from the Matadors in the fourth quarter to secure a crucial road victory.
The game was a true testament to offensive prowess and resilience for both sides. Athens, led by a commanding performance from Sophie Lane, established an early rhythm, consistently finding the open shooter. Lane poured in a game-high 25 points, complemented by strong contributions from Priya Vance (18 points) and Javier Lopez (17 points).
Madrid, however, refused to go down quietly. After trailing for much of the game, they mounted a furious rally in the final period. Caleb Finch was instrumental in the comeback, scoring 23 points and dishing out 4 assists, while Clara Jensen added 14 points, including several clutch three-pointers that ignited the home crowd. The Matadors’ defense also tightened up, forcing turnovers and blocking shots.
The teams traded blows in the closing minutes, with Jensen hitting a critical three-pointer to tie the game with seconds remaining, sending it into overtime. In the extra period, the Olympians’ ability to convert from beyond the arc once again proved decisive. Despite a valiant effort from Madrid, Athens made just enough plays down the stretch to seal the win.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game here,” said Olympians coach Elias Papadopoulos. “Madrid plays with a lot of heart. But our shooters stepped up tonight, and we found a way to execute when it mattered most.”
Matadors coach Maria Sanchez lamented the missed free throws as a key factor. “We fought incredibly hard to get back into it, but 55% from the line just isn’t going to cut it against a team like Athens. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
Key Notes:
- Athens Olympians shot a blistering 46.9% from three-point range (23-of-49).
- The Matadors struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 55.6% of their attempts (10-of-18).
- Hannah Park anchored the Olympians’ defense with a game-high 6 steals.
- Caleb Finch led the Matadors with 23 points and 4 assists.
- The game was tied multiple times in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime.