Vargas Ignites Orcas Past Drifters 91-80 in Defensive Grind
Vargas Leads Orcas' Resurgence in Tough Home Win
By Amelia Hayes
VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Orcas bounced back with a gritty 91-80 victory over the Dallas Drifters on Saturday, leveraging a strong second-half surge and clutch defensive plays to secure the Pro League win at home. Despite a night of shooting struggles for both sides, the Orcas’ relentless rebounding and timely steals proved to be the difference in a game that tightened their grip on a playoff spot.
The contest was a defensive slugfest from the opening tip, with neither team finding consistent offensive rhythm. The Drifters held a slight edge through the first half, powered by the inside presence of Marcus Solberg, who finished with a game-high 14 points and 11 rebounds. However, the Orcas began to shift the momentum in the third quarter. A crucial sequence saw Zara Ahmed register back-to-back steals, injecting energy into the home crowd and leading to fastbreak opportunities.
Cleo Vargas emerged as the offensive catalyst for Vancouver, pouring in a game-high 20 points. She ignited a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter that began to pull away from Dallas, showcasing her ability to create her own shot. “We knew it was going to be a battle,” Vargas said after the game. “Our defense stepped up when we needed it most, and we just kept chipping away. I’m proud of how we responded.”
The Orcas’ interior defense was also stout, with Ahmed contributing 11 rebounds and two blocks, anchoring the paint alongside Lena Petrov (7 rebounds, 4 assists). Despite Dallas out-rebounding Vancouver 62-59 overall, the Orcas’ offensive boards were timely when they managed to extend possessions.
“We didn’t shoot the ball well, but our effort and fight were there,” stated Orcas Head Coach David Chen. “Zara’s defensive intensity was infectious, and Cleo just took over offensively. That’s the kind of grit we’ll need moving forward.”
The Drifters, who struggled from beyond the arc shooting just 22.8%, saw contributions from Chloe Sterling (13 points, 5 assists) and Sanjay Patel (12 points, 9 rebounds), but couldn’t overcome Vancouver’s late-game execution.
Key Notes:
- Vancouver Orcas shot 33.0% from the field but outrebounded Dallas 59-62.
- Cleo Vargas led all scorers with 20 points for the Orcas.
- Dallas Drifters committed just 8 turnovers, but Vancouver’s defense forced 13.
- Marcus Solberg recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Drifters.
- Zara Ahmed was a defensive force with 10 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.