Breakers Edge Monarchs 102-98 in Downtown Showdown After Late Surge
Lindgren, Sokolova Lead Boston's Fourth-Quarter Comeback
MONTREAL – The Boston Breakers snatched victory from the Montreal Monarchs on Tuesday night, delivering a stunning 102-98 road win that captivated the crowd at the Bell Centre. A late offensive burst and crucial defensive stops in the final minutes proved to be the difference, as Boston extended a slim lead to secure a hard-fought Pro League victory.
The Monarchs held a precarious advantage for much of the second half, fueled by crisp ball movement and a barrage of three-pointers. However, the Breakers kept pace, with Sofia Lindgren and Elena Sokolova anchoring their offense. The game’s momentum truly swung in the fourth quarter. With under five minutes remaining, a key steal by Nala Diallo led to a fast break, igniting a run that Boston would not relinquish.
Monarchs guard Zara Kozlova led all scorers for Montreal with 18 points, supported by Mia Jenkins’ 15 points and 5 assists. Despite the loss, the Monarchs showcased strong rebounding, outrebounding Boston 50-48. However, their shooting efficiency, particularly from the free-throw line (2-for-4), proved costly.
For the Breakers, Sofia Lindgren poured in 19 points, while Elena Sokolova delivered a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Torin Schmidt orchestrated the offense with 5 assists and added 14 points.
“We knew it was going to be a battle,” said Breakers coach Marcus Bell. “Montreal played incredibly hard, but our guys trusted the process and executed when it mattered most. This was a big road win for us.”
Monarchs captain Finn O’Connell, who contributed 13 points and 2 blocks, acknowledged the sting of the defeat. “Frustrating. We had opportunities, but we let one slip away. We need to learn from this and come back stronger.”
Key Notes:
- Boston Breakers shot 43.8% from the field compared to Montreal’s 37.8%.
- Elena Sokolova recorded a game-high 11 rebounds for the Breakers.
- Montreal Monarchs struggled at the free-throw line, making only 2 of 4 attempts.
- Torin Schmidt and Mia Jenkins led their respective teams with 5 assists each.