Unrivaled held its version of the Saturday night fights with a pair of highly charged and well contested games with Lunar Owls versus Vinyl in the first and Mist versus Rose in the second.
While the game stayed fairly close in the first quarter, Lunar Owls didn’t have the same sharp rhythm they normally do. Napheesa Collier looked fatigued, and her shooting proved it. Conversely, Vinyl came out more urgently, trying to secure a potential playoff spot. In fact, with a win, Owls would also secure a spot, so the pressure was on for both clubs. It became evident early on that Skylar Diggins-Smith was taking the helm for Owls, with Dearica Hamby doing the same for Vinyl.
While Collier made a two-point jump shot to give the Owls a lead just over midway through the quarter, Hamby answered with a three, giving the lead to Vinyl. Allisha Gray tied it for Owls at 16 all, which held until Jordin Canada ended a poor shooting stretch with a two, giving Vinyl the lead again at 18 – 16. Tied at 20 all on a shot by Shakira Austin for Owls, Aliyah Boston sank a two, giving Vinyl the 22 – 20 lead going into the second quarter.
It was more of the same in the second until Hamby scored a quick five points for Vinyl, giving them a 33 – 26 lead. Vinyl continued to play more aggressively, opening their lead to eight points until Owls started to gain some momentum and ended the quarter a little stronger, trailing Vinyl at halftime 48 – 43.
A Competitive Second Half of Action
The third quarter saw Vinyl open their lead to nine points on a strong start, but with just over two minutes left in the quarter, Owls began to find some more accuracy and eventually took the lead on some key buckets from Collier and Shakira Austin. The Owls finished the quarter ahead 67 – 64, but it was still anyone’s game. The fourth quarter saw Vinyl fight back and eventually tie the game at 70 all on a two-point shot by Hamby.
Diggins-Smith answered with a pair of twos and Hamby another two, followed by another Diggins-Smith two, bringing the game to 76 – 72 Owls. Hamby then fouled Allisha Gray, who made the two-point free throw, giving the Owls a 78 – 72 victory, securing the first playoff spot for the Owls.
FINAL
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) March 2, 2025
🦉Lunar Owls – 78
🎶Vinyl – 72
Vinyl would have to wait for the results of the second game to know their place in the standings. Diggins-Smith led the Owls with 27 points, and Hamby led Vinyl with a game high 31 points.
Game Two of Unrivaled Was A Bit “Gray”
That would come shortly as Mist faced Rose in the next contest. Each team was on a winning streak, and a win for Mist would put them in fourth place. Rose had been on a five-game streak, and was looking to stay firmly in second place.
Rose jumped out to an early 12 – 2 lead, but Mist fought back and eventually overtook Rose on a three by Courtney Vandersloot. Mist took a precarious 20 – 19 lead into the second quarter. With what looked like renewed energy and urgency, Mist opened up a 10-point lead on a triple by Vandersloot.
However, with only two plus minutes left in the quarter, Rickea Jackson was ejected for two technicals, leaving Mist with only four players. Rose chipped away and ended the quarter trailing by only two points, 41 – 39.
The game stayed tight after halftime, with the third quarter looking like a fast-paced street fight, with Rose keeping pace with Mist, who managed to stay ahead every time Rose made a dent in the score. Rose closed the gap to two points on a Chelsea Gray two, immediately followed by a two from DiJonai Carrington, giving Mist a 59 – 55 lead going into the fourth.
With a winning score of 70 ahead, Mist would have to be relentless. Somehow Mist put the blinders on and forged ahead, and even though Rose fought a tough game, Mist managed to stay ahead, eventually winning the game 71 – 62 on a two point shot from Vandersloot.
Sloot Game Winner continues the win streak for Mist with 3 dubs in a row 😶🌫️ pic.twitter.com/sV4XI0NlwG
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) March 2, 2025
Stewart led Mist with 22 points, with both Vandersloot and Carrington scoring 18 and Aaliyah Edwards 10. Chelsea Gray had a game-leading score of 38 points, with Brittney Sykes scoring 14. Angel Reese was held to eight points, and Lexie Hull struggled, only scoring two.
Final Thoughts
The win put Mist in fourth place, a half game behind Laces, who have been struggling as of late. While Rose is still in second place, Laces is only one game behind. Rose and Laces meet Monday night, and Mist and Laces meet next Saturday. Rose will face Lunar Owls next Friday, looking to repeat their earlier win over the league leaders. It is going to be an exciting finish to the season.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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