Lions Roar Late: London Clinches 100-93 Victory Over Phantoms in Fiery Pro League Clash
Aoki's All-Around Brilliance Powers Lions Past Phantoms
By Eleanor Vance
LONDON – The London Lions staged a dramatic fourth-quarter surge to overcome the Philadelphia Phantoms 100-93 in a hard-fought Pro League contest on Tuesday night. After a back-and-forth affair that saw multiple lead changes, the Lions’ resilience and stellar play from their star point guard ultimately proved decisive, extending their winning streak and solidifying their playoff position.
The Phantoms came out aggressive, with Zara Sanchez leading the charge early. Her sharp passing and ability to find open teammates, coupled with Catalina Vega’s strong presence in the paint, helped Philadelphia build a slim lead through the first half. Maya Singh’s tenacious defense, including a crucial steal that led to a fast-break opportunity, kept the Lions’ offense in check at times.
However, the Lions, anchored by the relentless all-around game of Cassia Aoki, refused to be outdone. Aoki’s double-double of 12 points, 12 rebounds, and a game-high 9 assists was the engine of London’s offense. Chloe Beaumont provided a significant scoring punch with 22 points, while Freya Lund added a crucial 17, ensuring the Lions kept pace.
The momentum truly shifted in the final frame. With the score tied and under five minutes remaining, Aoki dished out a pair of pinpoint assists, leading to consecutive baskets that gave London the lead. Leo O’Connell’s timely defensive stops, including two crucial blocks, stifled Philadelphia’s comeback attempts. Despite a valiant effort from Sanchez, who finished with 18 points and 6 assists, the Phantoms couldn’t wrestle back control.
“We knew this was going to be a battle,” said Lions Head Coach David Miller. “Philadelphia played incredibly hard, but our focus and execution in the fourth quarter was exceptional. Cassia was simply outstanding tonight, managing the game and making big plays on both ends.”
Aoki, humble in her dominant performance, added, “It’s a team effort. We trust each other, and tonight, everyone stepped up when we needed them to. We just kept pushing.”
Key Notes:
- Cassia Aoki dished out a game-high 9 assists and secured a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
- Chloe Beaumont led all scorers for the Lions with 22 points.
- Zara Sanchez paced the Phantoms with 18 points and 6 assists.
- The Lions dominated the glass, outrebounding the Phantoms 57-53, including 17 offensive boards.
- London’s ball movement was superior, registering 28 assists to Philadelphia’s 18.