Laces and Rose enter Sunday’s game with a 3-1 record, making this a measuring stick game for both sides.
The Laces proved they can compete with the defending champions by defeating the Roses 70-66.
While Lace had the upper hand, Rose led for most of the match. Midway through the third quarter, Rose led by double digits and seemed on the verge of another victory.
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That’s when, however, lace’s comeback began.
Jackie Young scored four points. Then Young responded with a 3-pointer after Azurá Stevens put Rose back on the board. Naz Hillmon scored 5 consecutive points with Young. After two more points from Young and a basket from Alyssa Thomas, Ross led by just three heading into the final quarter, 58-55.
This puts the winning score at 69 points.
Thomas and Young maintained their offensive rhythm, and at the beginning of the fourth game, Rice led 61-60. Kahleah Copper scored but was fouled and hit a free throw to put Ross back in front 63-61. Later, Rice stopped exchanging baskets with Rose and launched a 7-0 climax.
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Rose suddenly looked defeated. Stevens hit a 3-pointer to give Rose a chance to score on offense, but the drive never materialized. Young won the game for the Laces with a jump shot over Stevens, putting her team atop the unbeatable standings.
Simply put, the Laces wouldn’t have won this game without Young’s heroics. She scored 35 points for Laces, nearly three times more than any other teammate.
Rose held on in this game, thanks to Chelsea Gray and Copper. Gray finished the night with 22 points, followed by Copper with 21 points.
Phantom dominates Hive, lagging behind AB and KP
Unfortunately, the second game failed miserably, with Hive losing to Phantom 71-59.
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The outcome was known early on and the Phantom immediately took control of the situation. Aliyah Boston is a monster in the paint. She scored 22 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Natasha Can cleared the glass well with six rebounds of her own.
Kelsey Plum had a stellar rookie year in Unrivaled, and that continued Sunday. She scored 20 points for Phantom, hit the game-winning shot and dished out a team-high six assists.
For the Hive, their woes returned after a win.
Their team only made two three-pointers, and their shooting percentage was only a pitiful 16.7%. Success requires more than just shooting from the outside, otherwise it means your chances of running the ball will be reduced. Everything has to be a tough battle at the rim. The chance of a massive comeback when they were already trailing by double digits in the second half was unrealistically optimistic.
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The only positive for the Hive in this loss was their balanced attack. The Hive had four players score in double figures, led by Kelsey Mitchell with 17 points and eight assists.
