Samurai Stun Sentinels in Paris! Caldwell's Late Heroics Seal 104-99 Victory
Tokyo Samurai Triumph on the Road with Clutch Fourth Quarter Performance
By Sarah Jenkins
PARIS – The Tokyo Samurai snatched a dramatic road victory from the Paris Sentinels, prevailing 104-99 in a hard-fought Pro League contest that came down to the wire. After trailing for much of the second half, a furious late-game surge fueled by clutch scoring and stifling defense saw the Samurai seize control and silence the home crowd.
The Sentinels came out with energy, and Liam O’Sullivan and Noah Harrison led the charge early, combining for quick points and sharp passes. Paris held a narrow lead through the second quarter, their ball movement creating open looks. However, the Samurai’s relentless offensive rebounding kept them within striking distance, constantly giving them second-chance opportunities.
The third quarter saw the Samurai find their rhythm. Ren Yoshida and Rhys Caldwell began to heat up from beyond the arc, trading baskets with the Sentinels’ perimeter threats. The score remained tight, with neither team able to build a significant advantage.
The turning point arrived in the final minutes. With the score tied, Rhys Caldwell buried a crucial three-pointer that shifted the momentum decisively. On the defensive end, multiple key blocks, including one from Caldwell himself on a driving O’Sullivan, stifled Paris’s late comeback attempts. David Miller’s timely steal also contributed to the Samurai’s late-game surge.
“This was a total team effort,” said Samurai Head Coach Kenji Tanaka. “We knew Paris was a tough opponent, especially at home. Our guys dug deep, trusted each other, and executed when it mattered most. Rhys and Ren were phenomenal tonight.”
For the Sentinels, Liam O’Sullivan finished with 13 points and 4 assists, while Noah Harrison added 15 points. However, turnovers and missed free throws in critical moments proved costly.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” admitted Sentinels forward Luna Diaz. “We played hard, but we let a few key possessions slip away. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
Key Notes:
- Tokyo Samurai dominated the boards, outrebounding Paris 65-46, with 19 offensive rebounds.
- Rhys Caldwell and Ren Yoshida led the Samurai with 17 points each, combining for 5 made three-pointers.
- The Samurai’s ball movement was superior, with 29 assists to just 8 turnovers.
- Paris struggled from the free-throw line, shooting only 61.1% (11-18).