Seeding implications were at stake Friday night as Laces met Phantom and Rose met Lunar Owls. Phantom was playing to stay alive for the playoffs with Laces desperately needing a win. Rose, the only team to beat Lunar Owls, were looking to do it again to clinch the #2 seed.
In the first game, Laces took the early lead on a Kayla McBride three, followed by a two from Katie Lou Samuelson for Phantom. From there, the game stayed close, with the first quarter ending 13 – 10 Laces. In the second quarter, Laces jumped out to a 14-point lead, 28 – 14, when Brittney Griner nailed a three for Phantom. Phantom started to nail some shots, and managed to whittle the Laces’ lead down to four points by the half, 33 – 29.
Phantom managed to stay close during the third quarter, but Laces managed to open the lead to six points, making it 60 -54 on a three by Jackie Young. With the winning score 71, Phantom still had a chance to avoid elimination, but Laces stepped on the gas and outscored Phantom 13 – 5, winning 73 – 59, thus making Phantom the first team to not make the playoffs.
McBride Game Winner to give Laces the dub 👟 pic.twitter.com/f4q6voSWgg
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) March 8, 2025
McBride led Laces with 25 points with Brittney Griner and Satou Sabally each scoring 13 for Phantom.
Lunar Owls Face Rose in Second Game of Unrivaled Doubleheader
The second game, Rose versus Lunar Owls, had a much different look than their previous match. It was much closer and a lot chippier. It took total team effort, with a lot more defense than their last matchup. The intensity for Lunar Owls was palpable, playing with a chip on their shoulder from the sting of the previous loss. Rose took the first quarter 16 – 15, and once again, Napheesa Collier got off to a slow start, not scoring in the quarter.
Collier did not score in the second quarter, and picked up three personal fouls. Another low scoring quarter, Owls and Rose stayed closed and ended the quarter tied at 30 all. Collier scored the first two points of the third quarter, and after some back and forth, Owls eventually took the lead and went into the fourth quarter ahead 54 – 46.
Owls opened up an 11-point lead when Brittney Sykes brought Rose to within six on a pair of shots making the score 60 – 54, but Collier answered with a two, and the Owls went on to make it a ten-point lead, winning the game 66 – 56. Brittney Sykes and Angel Reese led Rose with 17 points each, with Shakira Austin leading Owls with 17.
Hootie Hoopin 🦉🏀
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) March 8, 2025
SDS ➡️ Phee jumper gets the Owls their 12th win pic.twitter.com/ofOffUdz8C
While Rose secured a playoff spot, their No. 2 seed is still up for grabs in Unrivaled postseason. They’ll need to wait until Monday when they meet Vinyl to seal the deal. Owls next meet a surging Mist in the first game on Monday, matching the two Unrivaled founders, Collier and Breanna Stewart.
As the saying goes, it ain’t over til it’s over.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the world of sports.
