Drifters Dominate London: Dallas Cruises to 102-81 Victory with Explosive Second Half
Sterling Offense Powers Dallas Past Lions; Aoki's Strong Double-Double Not Enough
LONDON – The Dallas Drifters unleashed a potent offensive storm in the second half, overpowering the London Lions 102-81 in a Pro League clash that saw the visitors seize control early and never look back. After a competitive first quarter, Dallas found its rhythm, particularly from beyond the arc, to secure a decisive road win and improve their standing.
The early exchanges were tight, with both teams trading baskets. Freya Lund and Katya Smirnov provided sparks for the Lions, hitting timely three-pointers to keep the deficit manageable. However, the Drifters, paced by the consistent scoring of Adrian Petrov and Rhys Brennan, began to assert their physicality, especially on the glass where they accumulated a significant rebounding advantage.
The turning point arrived in the second quarter when Dallas ramped up its defensive pressure. Cassia Aoki showcased her all-around game for London with a strong performance, snagging crucial rebounds and contributing offensively. But the Drifters’ depth and balanced scoring attack proved too much. Sanjay Patel and Aleksandr Lebedev were instrumental in disrupting London’s flow with timely steals.
In the second half, Dallas’s shooters heated up, stretching the Lions’ defense. Chloe Sterling, who finished with 11 points and 3 assists, provided a crucial offensive burst. The Lions struggled to find consistent scoring, with their shooting percentages dipping significantly. Despite Aoki’s 13 points and 9 rebounds, London couldn’t match Dallas’s offensive firepower.
“We just couldn’t get our shots to fall tonight, especially in the second half,” said Lions coach, who declined to be named. “Dallas played a great game, and credit to them for executing their game plan.”
“We knew we had to come out and play with intensity from the start, and I think we did that today,” commented Drifters forward Rhys Brennan. “Our defense really set the tone for our offense, and we found a good scoring rhythm.”
Key Notes:
- Dallas dominated the glass, outrebounding London 58-40.
- The Drifters connected on 16 three-pointers compared to the Lions’ 12.
- Cassia Aoki led the Lions with 13 points and 9 rebounds.
- Adrian Petrov was the leading scorer for the Drifters with 18 points.