In two lower-scoring games, fans were given a lot of reasons why both Lunar Owls and Laces are undefeated after two weeks of Unrivaled basketball.
In Game One co-founder Napheesa Collier made history as the first player to reach 100 points. Also, both the Lunar Owls and Vinyl looked as though the fatigue had set in early. Of course, they all muscled through it. It wasn’t until the third quarter that Lunar Owls began to pull away and create a larger lead, 55 – 41. Vinyl made a last push in the fourth quarter, but never got closer than six points.
While Vinyl had four players in double figures, Aliyah Boston and Jordin Canada each with 14, Arike Ogunbowale with 12, and Rae Burrell with 10, Rhyne Howard was held to 7 points, shooting 2 – 10.
The Owls had three players in double figures, both Collier and Allisha Gray with 19 and Skylar Diggins-Smith with 16. Courtney Williams struggled shooting 3 – 11 for six points and Shakira Austin shot 2 – 6 with two free throws for seven points.
HOOOOOOTIEEEE HOOOOOOOOOO 🦉Lunar Owls win with a final score of 67-57 over the Vinyl pic.twitter.com/vYM8wiZ5yt
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) January 28, 2025
Vinyl was without Dearica Hamby, whose presence may have made a very good difference and possibly given Vinyl the win. Regardless of the score, each team, though looking tired, fought through it, and played with tenacity, giving the fans a very entertaining game.
The Laces Versus Roses Unrivaled Matchup Provided Intrigue
The second game between unbeaten Laces and Rose was a somewhat more frantic game. With the WNBA star power on the Rose squad, it is surprising that they are not doing better. You’d expect more with Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, and team-scoring leader Brittney Sykes, who scored 18 points. But it was Brittney Sykes who followed Sykes, scoring 17 points. Both Lexie Hull, whose WNBA game has grown significantly, scored 7, while Azurá Stevens was held to 5 points.
Laces fared better, with sharpshooter Kayla McBride scoring 31, followed by Tiffany Hayes, whose engine never seems to quit, with 24. Stefanie Dolson was limited to 9 points and eventually fouled out. Natisha Hiedeman, who was brought over as a replacement for Phantom, was signed to Laces. But in an atypical game, failed to score. Kate Martin also struggled, scoring seven.
The all-important fourth quarter was a series of back-and-forth missed shots. This provided a certain amount of amusement, particularly as Laces were looking for their winning bucket. Rose had chances to win, trailing only by 10 at the end of the third quarter. They pulled within five points on a two-point free throw from Sykes. It then became a battle until McBride hit the winning two-point shot.
LACEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS 👟 Go 4-0 with another big win over the Rose BC! pic.twitter.com/7qLFYvGvRo
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) January 28, 2025
Two full weeks have now ended in Unrivaled. Both the Laces and Lunar Owls at 4 – 0, Vinyl at 2 – 2, Phantom and Rose at 1 – 3, and co-founder Breanna Stewart‘s Mist at 0 – 4. Next Friday will see Phantom and Rose look for their second win, and after the Lunar Owls and Laces meet, there will only be one unbeaten team standing.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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