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If there were any who still doubted Nashville’s ability to bring crowds to women’s professional basketball games, the opening night of Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball should put them at ease. The crowd was ecstatic throughout both games and the stands were filled with fans who didn’t hold back with cheers, boos and even a few dance moves.
Triples fly for Team Westbrook
The first game between Team Westbrook and Team Bell—captained by Evina Westbrook and Kierstan Bell, respectively—was an easy victory for the former. Behind Kia Nurse, who clocked 23 points, and Crystal Bradford, Team Westbrook dominated from the very beginning to the very end.
Team Westbrook took a massive 27-7 lead within the first seven minutes of play, aided by Nurse’s efforts as well as by Bradford, who earned a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. In a lot of ways, Bradford stole the show, hitting several 3s and electrifying the crowd with her relentless athleticism and energy.
Team Westbrook easily won each quarter, netting 60 points each time and ultimately ending the game with a 114-72 victory. The team earned the most points by any bunch in AU Pro Basketball opening night history, and also knocked back the most triples in opening night history. Nurse earned MVP 1, followed by Bradford as MVP 2 and Ty Harris as MVP 3.
Team Harrison edges Team Colson
The second match between Team Harrison, helmed by Isabelle Harrison, and Team Colson, led by “Face of the League” Sydney Colson, was a more evenly-matched contest. Maddy Siegrist helped Harrison eke out a 77-66 victory over Colson and company, despite the latter’s heavily stacked starting five, which featured Colson, Theresa Plaisance, Maya Caldwell, Alissa Pili and Alysha Clark.
Siegrist knocked back 23 points on her own, a feat almost matched by Harrison’s 17. Clark, a Middle Tennessee native who was met with rapturous applause at the beginning of the game, scored 20 points.
Team Colson initially had the lead in the first quarter, but Team Harrison managed to launch a 17-3 run and were up 38-30 at halftime. Though the third quarter was often tight, with only two points, at most, frequently separating the two teams, Harrison’s squad tacked on eight points at the end of the third and maintained their edge throughout the rest of the game.
The two teams also set a few records of their own. Plaisance earned 14 rebounds, an AU Pro Basketball career high, and Siegrist enjoyed the sixth 20-point game of her AU career. She was also named the game MVP 1, followed by Harrison and Clark for MVPs 2 and 3, respectively.
Week One will continue on Friday, Feb. 7, when Team Westbrook will take on Team Colson (6 p.m. ET, WNBA App) and Team Bell will meet team Harrison (8:30 p.m. ET, WNBA App).
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