Thorne's Fourth Quarter Spark Propels Comets Past Orcas, 128-113
Thorne, Comets Surge Late to Conquer Orcas in High-Scoring Affair
By Sarah Jenkins
HOUSTON – The Houston Comets unleashed a decisive offensive surge in the fourth quarter, overcoming a spirited Vancouver Orcas squad for a 128-113 victory on Tuesday night. After a back-and-forth affair for three quarters, a flurry of clutch baskets and stifling defense from Marcus Thorne and the Comets’ supporting cast ultimately sealed the win, solidifying their position in the World Pro League standings.
The game began with the Orcas finding their rhythm early, thanks to the exceptional sharpshooting of Lena Petrov. Petrov poured in 32 points, keeping the Orcas within striking distance for large stretches of the contest. However, the Comets’ depth and balanced scoring proved to be the difference.
Marcus Thorne was the catalyst for Houston’s late-game heroics, scoring 11 of his 23 points in the final frame. His aggressive drives and timely three-pointers, including a crucial triple that extended the Comets’ lead to double digits, energized the home crowd.
“We knew they had scorers, but we also knew if we stuck to our game plan and trusted each other, we’d find a way,” Thorne said after the game. “That fourth quarter, we just locked in. Everyone contributed.”
Maya Hernandez added 21 points and Eva Jensen chipped in 18 for the Comets, who showcased their impressive offensive firepower with 30 assists on 45 made field goals. The Comets’ ability to move the ball and find open shooters consistently put pressure on the Orcas’ defense.
Comets head coach Anya Sharma acknowledged the challenging nature of the victory. “Vancouver played hard, and Petrov was exceptional tonight. But our guys showed resilience. We bent, but we didn’t break, and that’s a sign of growth.”
Key Notes:
- Marcus Thorne (HOU) scored 11 points in the fourth quarter.
- Lena Petrov (VAN) led all scorers with 32 points.
- The Houston Comets recorded 30 assists on 45 made field goals.
- Vancouver Orcas shot an impressive 48.1% from three-point range but struggled from two-point territory (36.5% FG).
- Houston’s bench contributed 46 points to the victory.