Vance's Fourth-Quarter Surge Lifts Olympians Over Knights in Thriller, 112-108
Priya Vance Dominates Down the Stretch as Athens Steals Road Win
NEW YORK – The Athens Olympians snatched a nail-biting 112-108 victory over the New York Knights on the road in a World Pro League showdown that came down to the wire. After a back-and-forth affair, it was the electrifying performance of Priya Vance in the fourth quarter that proved to be the difference, silencing the home crowd and securing a crucial win for the Olympians.
The Knights held a slim lead for much of the second half, showcasing strong ball movement with 27 assists to just 11 turnovers. However, the Olympians’ defense, anchored by 11 blocks, began to disrupt New York’s rhythm in the crucial final period. Anya Kuznetsova’s steal midway through the fourth ignited a spark for the Knights, but Athens consistently answered.
The pivotal stretch arrived in the final minutes. Priya Vance, who finished with a game-high 30 points, hit a crucial three-pointer and followed it up with a driving layup, pushing Athens ahead. The Knights, led by 16 points from Sofia Clemente and Casper Jorgensen, fought valiantly, but free throws from the Olympians ultimately sealed their fate.
“We knew it was going to be tough here,” said Olympians coach, who preferred to remain anonymous. “New York is a great team, but we just found a way. Priya was incredible tonight, she really took over when we needed her most.”
On the Knights’ side, Sofia Clemente echoed a sentiment of frustration. “We played hard, but couldn’t quite close it out. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
Key Notes:
- Priya Vance led all scorers with 30 points for the Athens Olympians.
- The Knights struggled from the free-throw line, shooting just 58.8% (10/17).
- Athens Olympians recorded 11 blocked shots, disrupting New York’s offense.
- Sofia Clemente and Casper Jorgensen each chipped in 16 points for the Knights.
- The Olympians benefited from strong rebounding, tying the Knights with 47 total boards.