rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
The stage is now set for the ultimate Unrivaled showdown.
With both Lunar Owls and Laces winning on Monday night, the two clubs will enter their Friday night matchup with 4-0 records. Here’s how Owls and Laces maintained their perfection on Monday night:
Phee, Lish keep Owls undefeated
Vinyl entered this one at a disadvantage, as Dearica Hamby, who has been the club’s most consistent and productive player, missed the game for personal reasons. Her absence allowed Aliyah Boston to enjoy a more extended opportunity. And she delivered, scoring 14 points and grabbing nine boards in her first Unrivaled start.
However, it was an off night for both Arike Ogunbowale and Rhyne Howard, with the cold shooting from the pair of star guards depriving Vinyl of the scoring needed to keep up with Lunar Owls. Ogunbowale was 5-for-18, finishing with 12 points, while Howard was just 2-for-10, scoring only seven points.
So, even as Owls had one of their less-efficient offensive games, they still were able to win comfortably, responding to a second-quarter charge from Vinyl with a 10-2 run to close out their first half. From there, Owls cruised to the 67-57 win. Napheesa Collier, who became the first Unrivaled player to reach 100 total points, and Allisha Gray, who hit the game-winner, had matching 19-point performances, with Collier also grabbing a game-high 17 boards. Skylar Diggins-Smith added 16 points for the still-undefeated Owls.
KMac, Tip combine for 55 for Laces
Without Alyssa Thomas and Jackie Young, it seemed Laces might be vulnerable to an upset. Natisha Hiedeman, who had played three games as a relief player for Phantom, was transferred to Laces, giving the club five available players.
It turned out, however, Laces’ four available regulars had enough. In a game where both sides struggled to find the bottom of the net for stretches, Kayla McBride and Tiffany Hayes provided the bucket getting that Laces needed to prevail. McBride, who is Unrivaled’s second-leading scorer, dropped 31 points, while Hayes turned in a 24-point and 11-rebound double-double.
Brittney Sykes and Angel Reese gave Rose efficient production, with Sykes scoring 18 points and Reese adding 17 points and seven boards. Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper, however, were off target, combining to go 6-for-26 from the field.
The game was a tightly-contested back-and-forth affair, knotted at 41-41 midway through the third period. However, a Laces’ scoring burst from McBride and Hayes gave the club a 10-point advantage when the winning score was set. While Rose cut the margin in the fourth, Laces secured the 71-64 victory, preserving their perfect record on a game-winner from McBride.
