Aces Surge Late: Bergstrom's Steals Spark Vegas' 105-97 Victory Over Tokyo
Bergstrom's Defensive Fire Ignites Aces' Comeback Win
TOKYO – The Las Vegas Aces overcame a fierce offensive challenge from the Tokyo Samurai, clinching a hard-fought 105-97 victory on Wednesday night at the Tokyo Dome.
Despite a spirited effort led by Rhys Caldwell, the Samurai struggled with their shooting efficiency, particularly from the free-throw line, allowing the Aces to capitalize on turnovers and transition opportunities. The game remained tight for much of the contest, with momentum swinging back and forth, but a decisive run in the fourth quarter, fueled by tenacious defense, secured the win for Las Vegas.
The Samurai held a slim lead through much of the first half, with Enzo Volkov and Rhys Caldwell providing crucial offensive sparks. Caldwell was sensational, pouring in a game-high 21 points, while Volkov added 15 points and 5 rebounds. Their ball movement was exceptional, with Tokyo racking up 25 assists against just 5 turnovers.
However, the Aces’ defense tightened significantly in the second half, spearheaded by Elias Bergstrom. Bergstrom’s relentless pressure on the ball led to three crucial steals, one of which he converted into a fast-break layup that ignited a pivotal 10-0 run for Las Vegas. “We just had to dig deep,” Bergstrom said postgame. “We knew they could score, so our focus had to be on stopping them. Those steals were about effort, plain and simple.”
Ethan Hughes orchestrated the Aces’ offense masterfully, dishing out a game-high 10 assists to go along with 9 points. Elara Brooks was also instrumental, contributing 14 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 blocks, including a key field goal late in the fourth.
“We didn’t execute down the stretch like we needed to,” lamented Tokyo Samurai head coach Kenji Tanaka. “Give credit to the Aces, they made crucial plays when it mattered most. We have to learn from this and come back stronger.”
Key Notes:
- Rhys Caldwell led all scorers with 21 points for the Samurai.
- Elias Bergstrom’s three steals were pivotal in the Aces’ late-game surge.
- Ethan Hughes orchestrated the Aces’ offense with a game-high 10 assists.
- Tokyo Samurai struggled at the free-throw line, shooting just 46.7% (7-of-15).
- The Aces outscored the Samurai 38-22 in the painted area, showcasing their interior presence.