Prowlers Surge Late: Denver Outlasts Aces 114-105 on Crucial Fourth-Quarter Run
Denver's Balanced Attack Powers Past Aces in Tense WPL Showdown
By Sarah Jenkins
DENVER – The Denver Prowlers weathered a fierce challenge from the Las Vegas Aces, ultimately pulling away in the final quarter for a hard-fought 114-105 victory at home in World Pro League Season 2 action. In a game that saw multiple momentum swings, Denver’s consistent offensive output and timely defensive stops proved to be the difference.
The Aces came out with intent, with Ethan Hughes leading the charge early. Hughes poured in 32 points, including a barrage of three-pointers that kept Las Vegas within striking distance throughout the contest. His early scoring helped the Aces build a slim lead, but the Prowlers refused to buckle.
Denver found their rhythm in the second half. Kaelen Reid and Maya Reed ignited the offense, consistently finding ways to exploit the Aces’ defense and scoring 19 points apiece. Their combined scoring, coupled with strong performances from Akari Hayashi (13 points) and Chloe Chang (13 points), created a balanced attack that Las Vegas struggled to contain.
A critical stretch in the fourth quarter saw the Prowlers lock down defensively and execute on offense. A steal by Sasha Volkov for the Aces threatened to shift momentum, but Denver responded with a crucial three-pointer from Maya Reed that seemed to energize the home crowd.
“We knew they had firepower, especially from Ethan,” said Prowlers Head Coach David Miller. “Our focus was to stay disciplined, execute our game plan, and trust each other. I’m proud of the resilience we showed tonight.”
Maya Reed added, “It was a physical game, and Las Vegas never quit. We just had to keep pushing and make the plays when it counted. That three in the fourth felt big, for sure.”
The Prowlers’ ability to create turnovers and convert them into points, along with their solid rebounding effort anchored by Matias Ribeiro’s 10 boards, ultimately sealed the victory.
Key Notes:
- Ethan Hughes led all scorers with 32 points for the Las Vegas Aces.
- Denver Prowlers showcased a balanced scoring attack with five players reaching double figures.
- Matias Ribeiro grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds for the Denver Prowlers.
- The Prowlers’ bench contributed significantly, chipping in 32 points.
- Both teams shot well from three-point range, with Denver hitting 15 and Las Vegas knocking down 15.