Bigler Blazes Trail to Finals: Thunderbirds Overtake Knights 109-98 in Game 7 Thriller
In a high-stakes Game 7 showdown that crackled with intensity from the opening tip, the Arizona Thunderbirds stormed past the London Knights 109-98 to clinch the National Conference title and punch their ticket to the 2037 OBWL Finals. Behind a dazzling 32-point explosion from shooting guard John Bigler, the Thunderbirds overcame a sluggish start and outgunned the Knights with a relentless second-quarter surge.
After falling behind 20-14 in a tense first quarter, Arizona erupted for 38 points in the second, flipping the script and seizing control of the game. Bigler was electric, drilling 5-of-8 from beyond the arc and slicing through the Knights’ defense with fearless drives and mid-range daggers. His performance earned him Player of the Game honors and cemented his status as the Thunderbirds’ postseason hero.
The Thunderbirds’ offensive onslaught didn’t stop there. Arizona shot a solid 45.1% from the field and buried nine three-pointers, while dishing out 28 assists on 46 made baskets. Point guard Manuel Hendershot orchestrated the offense with poise, tallying 8 assists and 11 points, while big man Ben Toy dominated the glass with 15 rebounds and added 10 points of his own.
Off the bench, Michael Clarke provided a crucial spark, scoring 12 points in just 15 minutes, helping Arizona maintain momentum during key stretches.
London, meanwhile, struggled to keep pace despite a valiant effort. Power forward Kenneth Dozier led the Knights with 23 points and 9 rebounds, and Bryant Walsh added 18 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting. But the Knights’ offense sputtered from deep, connecting on just 3-of-12 from three-point range (25%), and their 15 turnovers proved costly.
The Thunderbirds’ depth and ball movement ultimately overwhelmed London, who couldn’t match Arizona’s energy or execution in the middle quarters. Arizona outscored the Knights 74-53 in the second and third quarters combined, building a cushion that London couldn’t erase.
With the win, the 63-17 Thunderbirds advance to the OBWL Finals, where they’ll face the 50-30 Los Angeles Chaos. Arizona will enjoy home court advantage in the 2-3-2 format series, thanks to their league-best regular season record.
As the desert heat rises, so do the Thunderbirds — and with Bigler blazing the trail, Arizona looks ready to chase championship glory.