Petrenko's late surge propels Monarchs past Fog 104-100 in a nail-biter
Petrenko and Kim lead Monarchs to hard-fought victory over Fog
MONTREAL – The Montreal Monarchs clinched a thrilling 104-100 victory over the San Francisco Fog tonight at the Bell Centre, a crucial win that saw Darya Petrenko deliver a clutch performance down the stretch. The Monarchs controlled much of the tempo but the Fog remained within striking distance throughout, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
The game opened with a back-and-forth affair, neither team able to establish a significant lead. The Monarchs’ inside presence, anchored by Samuel Kim, kept them competitive, while the Fog’s sharp shooting from beyond the arc, notably from Leilani Kai, kept pace. Kim was a force on the boards, grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds to go with his 17 points.
In the second half, Darya Petrenko took over for Montreal, pouring in a game-high 23 points. Her offensive explosion in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference. With the Fog threatening to tie the game in the final minutes, Petrenko hit a crucial jumper and then drew a foul, sinking two free throws to preserve the Monarchs’ lead.
“We knew this was going to be a tough one,” said Monarchs coach Evelyn Reed. “San Francisco plays hard, but our team dug deep. Darya was incredible tonight, and Samuel’s rebounding was vital.”
Lars Andersen was a standout for the Fog, contributing 14 points and 7 rebounds in the losing effort. Anya Morozova also chipped in with 11 points, including some key baskets that kept the Fog alive.
“We fought hard, but a few key misses cost us,” Andersen commented after the game. “We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
Key Notes:
- Samuel Kim recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
- The Monarchs won the rebounding battle, 56-47.
- Darya Petrenko led all scorers with 23 points.
- The Fog shot an impressive 85.7% from the free-throw line (12/14).