Surfers Survive Comets’ Comeback Bid on Mortensen’s Late Treys, 103-99
Sydney Surfers Edge Houston Comets in Tight Pro League Opener
By Sarah Jenkins
SYDNEY – The Sydney Surfers kicked off their Pro League campaign with a hard-fought 103-99 victory over the Houston Comets, a game that swung back and forth before a late barrage of three-pointers from Rafe Mortensen secured the win. The Surfers, playing in front of a raucous home crowd, nearly saw a double-digit lead evaporate in the fourth quarter, but timely shots and crucial defensive stops ultimately prevailed.
The Comets, led by a sharp-shooting Kenji Ishikawa, mounted a furious comeback in the final ten minutes. Ishikawa, who finished with 19 points, hit a pair of contested jumpers that ignited Houston’s offense. However, with the game tied at 95 with just under two minutes remaining, Rafe Mortensen found his rhythm. He drained back-to-back triples, the second a step-back dagger over tight defense, pushing Sydney ahead for good.
Noah Suzuki was instrumental for the Surfers throughout, pacing the team with 22 points and adding 6 rebounds and 4 assists. His ability to create his own shot and find open teammates was crucial in keeping the Surfers ahead in the first half. For the Comets, Eva Jensen and Marcus Thorne provided significant scoring punch with 15 points apiece, while Kenji Ishikawa’s scoring kept them in striking distance.
“We knew this would be a tough matchup. Houston’s a great team,” said Surfers Head Coach David Lee. “Rafe really stepped up when we needed him most. That’s championship-caliber play right there. We’ve got a lot to work on, but I’m proud of the fight.”
Mortensen, who finished with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, echoed the sentiment. “It was a team effort. We got a little sloppy in the fourth, but we dug deep. When the ball is in my hands late, I’m always confident I can make the play.”
Key Notes:
- Sydney Surfers capitalized on 19 three-pointers, shooting a blistering 41.3% from deep.
- Houston Comets struggled at the free-throw line, converting just 61.9% of their attempts.
- Rafe Mortensen recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, including key late-game threes.
- Noah Suzuki led all scorers not named Ishikawa or Thorne with 22 points for Sydney.
- Rebounding was a key factor, with Sydney holding a 55-49 advantage.