Unrivaled: Sonia Citron’s 32 points not enough for Hive

Laces came out roaring and ready to reassert sole (or Solemates’?) claim to first place in the Unrivaled standings on Monday night. Yet, their eventual 67-62 win over Mist would not be as easy as it might have looked early on.

Up 15-8 after a defensively-tilted first quarter, Laces maintained a comfortable margin as the offenses came alive in the second, up by nine points, 36-27, at the half. Alyssa Thomas already had tallied a double-double for the Solemates, with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The third quarter, however, belonged to Mist. And more specifically, it belonged to Arike Ogunbowale.

Ogunbowale ignited for one of her signature scoring eruptions, responsible for 12 of Mist’s 27 points in the period. Supported by a couple of 3s from Breanna Stewart and Veronica Burton, Mist was down by just a single point entering the fourth, 55-54. A late Thomas free throw gave Laces the lead after seven-straight points from Ogunbowale and Allisha Gray had pushed Mist ahead.

When the fourth began, Laces would expand on that slight edge.

Naz Hillmon, who had just three points through three quarters, scored the first six points for Laces, which were balanced by a single bucket from Mist. Naz’s efforts put Laces just five points away from the 66-point target score.

A triple from Gray brought Mist within striking distance before two scores from Thomas set up Jackie Young to finish the job for Laces.

AT earned Player of the Game honors, finishing with a season-high 20 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals. It was an all-round, stat-stuffing effort exemplary of The Engine. Ogunbowale’s 17 points led Mist, with Stewart finishing with 16 points and nine boards.

At 7-2, Laces exit Week 4 atop the standings, with 6-3 Mist falling into third place, as Phantom, also at 6-3, has the head-to-head advantage over the Misties.

Sonia Citron almost had Hive buzzing past Vinyl

It’s been a rough Unrivaled rookie season for Sonia Citron.

After her seemingly seamless transition to the WNBA, Citron’s 3-point stroke has been off in Unrivaled, with her shooting struggles exacerbating the overall challenges Hive has faced in their inaugural Unrivaled season.

On Monday night, Soni had her long-awaited Unrivaled breakout. She scored 32 points, going 12-for-18 from the field and 4-for-7 from 3. She also contributed five assists, two blocks and a steal.

Unfortunately, Citron’s stellar night was not enough for Hive, as Vinyl prevailed 74-71 in the back-and-forth affair.

This one was tight from the jump, and would feature 11 lead changes and 13 ties. Vinyl’s balance, however, overcame not only Citron’s big game, but also a huge double-double from Monique Billings, who finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds for Hive.

Five members of Vinyl scored in double figures, led by Rae Burrell’s 18 points. Burrell, who made two 3s and added three assists, three assists and a block, showed that her Saturday star turn was not an outlier, earning her second-straight Player of the Game honor. Dearica Hamby contributed 14 points and eight boards, while Rhyne Howard dished seven assists, her Unrivaled career-high, to go with her 10 points.

Vinyl entered the fourth up 63-59, as a Brittney Griner bucket as the third quarter expired seemed to set the club up to take control and cruise to the 74-point target score. Citron had other ideas, striving to singularly drag Hive to victory with 10 points in period, including a 3-pointer that pulled her club within one point of Hive, 72-71, and within three points of the target. With a stop, Hive would have the chance to steal the win.

Howard turned on her aggression on Vinyl’s next possession, driving at Citron. Rhyne missed, but a somewhat questionable foul called on Citron sent Howard to the line. Rhyne sunk the free throw to secure the game for Vinyl, keeping the now 4-5 club in position for a playoff berth.