Aviators Edge Lumberjacks 87-83 in Nail-Biter as Petrov's Late Heroics Seal the Deal

By Michael Thompson

PORTLAND – The Atlanta Aviators escaped the Moda Center with a hard-fought 87-83 victory over the Portland Lumberjacks on Sunday, a game decided in the final possessions after a back-and-forth battle that saw momentum swing multiple times. The Aviators, fueled by a stellar performance from Adrik Petrov, managed to withstand a spirited comeback attempt by the Lumberjacks to secure the crucial Pro League win.

The first half was a defensive struggle, with both teams shooting below 35% from the field. The Lumberjacks found some rhythm early in the second quarter, with Lily Wong orchestrating the offense and contributing key baskets. However, the Aviators, despite their own shooting woes, did a commendable job of controlling the boards, outrebounding Portland significantly through the game.

The turning point arrived in the fourth quarter. With the score tied and under two minutes remaining, Adrik Petrov, who had been a consistent threat all night, drained a clutch three-pointer that ignited the Aviators’ offense and seemed to sap the energy from the home crowd. Portland responded with urgency, and Lily Wong continued to be a bright spot, hitting crucial jumpers to keep them within striking distance.

“We knew it was going to be a tough environment,” said Aviators Head Coach Anya Sharma. “Portland always plays hard, especially at home. Adrik was outstanding tonight. He made the plays we needed when it mattered most.”

Despite an impressive rebounding effort from the Lumberjacks, led by Emil Karlsson and Isabella Santos, their inconsistent shooting proved to be their undoing. The Aviators, while not efficient, capitalized on free throws down the stretch to preserve their lead. “We left too many points on the board from the free-throw line,” lamented Lumberjacks captain Sita Devi. “We fought until the end, but it just wasn’t enough tonight.”

Adrik Petrov led all scorers with 21 points, adding 10 rebounds and 7 assists for the Aviators. Lily Wong was Portland’s leading scorer, finishing with 14 points and 5 assists.

Key Notes:

• Adrik Petrov recorded a double-double (21 PTS, 10 REB) with 7 assists.
• Atlanta held a significant rebounding advantage, 64-58.
• Portland shot just 31.3% from the field, including 30.6% from three-point range.
• The Aviators shot 80% from the free-throw line (12/15).