Hawks Soar Past Gladiators in Milan Blitz: Karlsson's 21 Lead the Charge
Milan Dominates Barcelona with Balanced Attack and Stellar Shooting
By Sarah Jenkins
MILAN – The Milan Hawks electrified their home crowd on Sunday, delivering a commanding 112-95 victory over the visiting Barcelona Gladiators. A relentless offensive surge, spearheaded by Sofia Karlsson’s sharp shooting, proved too much for the Gladiators as Milan controlled the tempo for most of the February 2026 Season matchup. The win solidifies Milan’s position in the standings, while Barcelona faces an uphill battle after this disheartening road loss.
The Hawks established their dominance early, with Sofia Karlsson igniting the offense. Her first of three three-pointers early in the first quarter set the tone, as Milan consistently found open looks. The Gladiators struggled to find their rhythm, hampered by a cold shooting night from beyond the arc.
Despite a spirited effort from Barcelona’s Arlo Hansen and Daniel Green, who tallied 15 points each, the Hawks’ balanced scoring attack and superior ball movement were the difference-makers. Léa Moreau added 18 points for Milan, and Karlsson’s 21 points, coupled with her efficient playmaking, earned her the game’s loudest cheers. The Gladiators fought back at times, with a second-half surge that saw Daniel Green steal the ball and convert a crucial fast-break layup, but Milan quickly extinguished any comeback hopes.
“We knew they could come out strong, but our focus was on executing our game plan,” said Milan coach Isabella Rossi. “Sofia was incredible tonight, but this was a total team effort. Our assists and low turnovers were key.”
Barcelona’s captain, Arlo Hansen, acknowledged the Hawks’ performance. “They shot the ball exceptionally well and we couldn’t quite match their intensity tonight. We have to learn from this and move forward.”
Key Notes:
- Milan Hawks assisted on 30 of their 42 made field goals (71.4% of FGM).
- Sofia Karlsson led all scorers with 21 points, shooting 8-14 from the field.
- The Milan Hawks committed only 7 turnovers, a testament to their sharp ball movement.
- Barcelona Gladiators struggled with efficiency, shooting just 37.6% from the field.