Clemente's Late Steals Seal It: Knights Escape Monarchs 89-85 in Gritty Showdown
Knights Survive Monarchs' Rebounding Barrage on Clemente's Defensive Heroics
By Sarah Thompson
NEW YORK – In a hard-fought contest that went down to the wire, the New York Knights held off the Montreal Monarchs for a crucial 89-85 victory at Madison Square Garden. The Knights leveraged a strong rebounding performance and timely defensive plays, particularly down the stretch, to secure the win that keeps their playoff hopes alive.
The game was a physical battle from tip-off, with neither team able to establish significant breathing room. The Monarchs, led by the dominant inside presence of Samuel Kim, consistently attacked the glass, outrebounding the Knights 64-54 overall. However, New York’s resilience and timely shooting kept them in contention throughout.
A pivotal moment came in the fourth quarter when the Knights’ Sofia Clemente, who finished with 15 points and a game-high four steals, stripped an errant pass with under two minutes remaining. This turnover led to a crucial field goal by Casper Jorgensen, who paced the Knights with 16 points and nine rebounds. The Knights were able to convert another steal by Stella Dupont moments later, helping them stretch their narrow lead.
“We just had to dig deep,” said Knights coach, Elena Petrov. “Montreal is a tough team, they fight for every possession. But our defense stepped up when it mattered most, and Sofia was incredible. That’s championship-level grit.”
Casper Jorgensen echoed the sentiment. “It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win. We knew they’d crash the boards hard, so we focused on limiting second-chance points and making smart plays. Defense wins games, and tonight, it definitely did.”
Despite the loss, Finn O’Connell had a strong outing for the Monarchs, contributing 14 points, three assists, and three steals, while Samuel Kim’s 17 boards were a game-high. However, Montreal struggled with their shooting, hitting just 29.2% from the field. The Knights, while not efficient shooters themselves, made enough plays on both ends to earn the hard-fought victory.
Key Notes:
- Samuel Kim led all players with 17 rebounds.
- Sofia Clemente’s 4 steals were a game-high.
- The Knights shot just 35.1% from the field but capitalized on turnovers.
- Montreal outrebounded New York significantly (64-54).