Matadors Silence Breakers on the Road, 102-98, Fueled by Finch's Fourth-Quarter Fire
Finch Leads Madrid's Late Surge Past Boston in Tight Pro League Clash
BOSTON – The Madrid Matadors staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, powered by a stellar performance from Caleb Finch, to defeat the Boston Breakers 102-98 in a crucial Pro League matchup on Saturday night.
The game remained a nail-biter throughout, with neither team able to establish a substantial lead for long periods. The Breakers, playing at home, seemed to have the momentum in the third quarter, with Nala Diallo hitting a pivotal three-pointer that sent the crowd into a frenzy. However, Madrid’s defense, anchored by Julian Torres’s 15 rebounds, began to stiffen, and they started to chip away at the deficit.
The turning point came in the final frame. Caleb Finch, who had been a consistent threat all night, erupted for 19 points, including several clutch baskets that swung the momentum decisively in Madrid’s favor. His ability to drive to the basket and finish through contact, coupled with key assists, proved too much for the Breakers to handle. Elena Sokolova and Nala Diallo provided strong offensive sparks for Boston, with Sokolova dishing out 5 assists and Diallo adding 17 points, but it wasn’t enough to counter Madrid’s late offensive outburst.
“We knew it was going to be a battle tonight,” said Matadors coach Anya Petrova. “Boston is a tough team, especially at home. But our guys showed incredible resilience and determination in the second half. Caleb was phenomenal down the stretch.”
Reflecting on the loss, Breakers captain Luna Herrera, who contributed a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, stated, “It’s a tough one to swallow. We played hard, but we let them dictate the pace in the fourth. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
The Matadors’ victory not only secures them a vital road win but also sends a clear message to the rest of the league about their championship aspirations.
Key Notes:
- Caleb Finch led all scorers with 19 points for the Matadors.
- The Matadors outrebounded the Breakers 52-43, controlling the glass.
- Nala Diallo led the Breakers with 17 points and added 5 assists.
- Madrid shot 18-of-27 from the free-throw line, a significant advantage over Boston’s 9-of-11.
- Turnovers were even at 8 for both teams, but Madrid’s offensive efficiency in the clutch proved decisive.