Breakers Edge Sentinels in Defensive Thriller, 95-92, on Last-Second Hayes Swish
Hayes' Clutch Three Lifts Breakers Over Sentinels in Tight Pro League Contest
PARIS – The Boston Breakers snatched a dramatic victory on the road, overcoming the Paris Sentinels 95-92 in a hard-fought Pro League encounter at the Accor Arena. In a game defined by tenacious defense and clutch shooting, it was a late three-pointer that ultimately decided the outcome, handing the Sentinels a tough home loss.
The Sentinels, spurred on by a raucous home crowd, jumped out to an early lead, fueled by aggressive rebounding and timely scoring from Caleb Singh. However, the Breakers, showcasing superior ball movement, clawed their way back into the contest. The second quarter saw a significant momentum shift as Boston’s Sofia Lindgren orchestrated the offense, finding open teammates and contributing key baskets.
Halftime saw the score deadlocked, and the second half was a tense back-and-forth affair. Paris’s defense, spearheaded by strong interior presence from Julian Blackwood and Liam O’Sullivan, stifled Boston’s attack for stretches. However, the Breakers consistently found answers, with Diego Sharma impacting the game with his all-around play. Regulation time wasn’t enough to separate the two sides, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
In the closing moments, with the score tied, it was Breakers guard Chloe Hayes who emerged as the hero. After a scramble for possession, Hayes drilled a step-back three-pointer with seconds remaining, silencing the Parisian faithful and securing the crucial win. Caleb Singh led all scorers with 16 points for the Sentinels, while Sharma and Lindgren were instrumental for the victorious Breakers.
“We knew it was going to be a battle tonight,” said Breakers coach Anya Petrova. “Paris played tough, but our guys stayed composed and executed down the stretch. That’s the mark of a great team.”
Sentinels coach Jean-Luc Dubois expressed his team’s disappointment. “We left it all out on the floor, but sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
Key Notes:
- Boston Breakers assisted on 26 of their 34 made field goals.
- Paris Sentinels grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, leading to 14 second-chance points.
- Caleb Singh was the sole Sentinel to make multiple three-pointers (2).
- Sofia Lindgren dished out a game-high 9 assists for Boston.