Saturday night at Unrivaled gave us two games; one for seeding in the playoffs and one for pride.
In the first game, Mist took on Laces, who, after a string of losses, looked to add to their previous win. Mist looked to continue their winning streak as well. Both teams played with an urgency, neither wanting to set up for elimination.
For the most part, the starters save one did their part. Jewell Loyd struggled for Mist and Alyssa Thomas for Laces. But DiJonai Carrington came off the bench for Mist and scored 13 while Jackie Young went on a tear and scored a game leading 27 points including 5 – 8 from deep.
It was a tight game in the first quarter. Mist took it 21 – 20, with no more than a four point lead at any time. Laces surged in the second quarter, opening up a 14 point lead. Mist, however, fought back, cutting the lead to six point at halftime.
In the third quarter, Mist fought back, tying the game at 55 all, but Laces got some key shots by Young and Kayla McBride to keep them just ahead of Mist. By quarter’s end, and with a score of 64 – 61 Laces, it was still anyone’s game.
With a winning score of 75 looming, Mist got as close as 69 – 70 on a Courtney Vandersloot two point shot, but shots by Tiffany Hayes, Alyssa Thomas, and Jackie Young gave Laces the points to win the game and secure a playoff spot.
Jackie Young takes it to the paint and clinches a playoff spot for the Laces 🔥
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) March 9, 2025
JY0 had 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists pic.twitter.com/A46rOS24mz
Mist and Vinyl are tied in the standings, and a win Monday night will give either one the final playoff spot.
Game Two of Unrivaled was Highly Competitive
In the second game, Vinyl faced Phantom, who had been eliminated. Vinyl had the opportunity to move ahead, but a determined Phantom stood in their way.
Vinyl, having their full roster in quite some time, took the early lead after Natasha Cloud scored the opening bucket for Phantom.
Phantom tied the game at eight all on a two point shot by Brittney Griner, and then went on a 10 point run to end the quarter 18 – 8. Vinyl fought back in the second quarter, getting as close as three points on a two point shot by Rae Burrell, but was answered immediately with a three by Marina Mabrey for Phantom. Vinyl trailed by 8 points at the half, 40 – 32.
In the third quarter, the teams essentially paced each other. Arike Ogunbowale, after missing a number of games, scored her only two points for Vinyl. Phantom held on to an eight point lead going into the fourth, ahead 67 – 59, with a looming winning score of 78. Vinyl was not about to roll over, and managed to take a one point lead on a two point shot by Dearica Hamby, who had an atypical low scoring game. Griner answered for Phantom with a two, and went on to win the game 80 – 74, spoiling Vinyl’s chance to move up.
Chef Mabrey served up a Game Winner for Phantom 👻 pic.twitter.com/OBz8ZUOqLb
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) March 9, 2025
As it stands, Mist and Vinyl will play for the fourth spot, but each has a formidable opponent Monday night. Mist faces Lunar Owls and Vinyl faces Rose. It’s going to be an exciting finish to the Unrivaled regular season.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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