Devi's Late Steal Seals Thriller: Lumberjacks Edge Gladiators 98-97
Late Heroics from Devi and Richter Lift Lumberjacks Over Gladiators
BARCELONA – In a heart-stopping February contest, the Portland Lumberjacks snatched a narrow 98-97 victory from the Barcelona Gladiators on their home court. The game hung in the balance until the final possessions, showcasing resilience from both sides but ultimately seeing the Lumberjacks prevail thanks to clutch plays.
The Gladiators started strong, establishing an early lead with sharp ball movement. However, the Lumberjacks’ defense, particularly Sita Devi’s tenacious perimeter play, began to disrupt Barcelona’s rhythm in the second half. Devi’s crucial steal in the final minute set up Florian Richter, who was instrumental in keeping Portland within striking distance.
Richter finished as the game’s leading scorer for the Lumberjacks with 13 points, including a vital three-pointer that ignited Portland’s comeback. “We knew it was going to be a battle,” Richter said post-game. “We just kept chipping away, and in the end, we executed when it mattered most.”
The Gladiators had multiple players contribute offensively, with Arlo Hansen, Priya Sharma, Daniel Green, and Marco Bianchi each pouring in 14 points. Hansen also added 7 rebounds and 4 assists, showcasing his all-around impact. Despite their balanced attack and dominant rebounding advantage, Barcelona couldn’t hold off Portland’s late surge.
“It’s a tough one to swallow,” said Gladiators coach Elena Rodriguez. “We played hard, but a few key turnovers and missed opportunities came back to haunt us. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
The Lumberjacks, despite shooting a lower percentage from the field, capitalized on free throws and forced turnovers to stay competitive. Kian Maxwell orchestrated the offense with 7 assists, complementing the scoring efforts.
Key Notes:
- Portland Lumberjacks secure a one-point road victory.
- Sita Devi’s late steal was a pivotal moment.
- Barcelona Gladiators controlled the boards with a significant rebounding advantage (55-58 total).
- Multiple Gladiators reached double-digit scoring, but it wasn’t enough.