Entering the final week of Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball, the leaderboard was close at the top. Indiana Fever guard Odyssey Sims and guard Rebekah Gardner held the top two spots, vying to become champion. As each player made an impact, other players have done so with the season winding down. That being said, here is a recap of games 19 & 20
Game 19: Rhythm Vs. Glow
In the opening game of this doubleheader, Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles and Rhythm faced Gardner and the Glow. Quarter number one was the lowest scoring one of the contest as the Rhythm took an early 18 – 10 lead. Charles led the scoring for the Rhythm in the quarter as Isabelle Harrison had four points for the Glow.
As for the second quarter, both squads combined for the highest scoring quarter of the game with 48 points. Of the Glow’s 26 points in the quarter, Gardner put up nine points as guard Zia Cooke had seven. Washington Mystics forward Alysha Clark scored five of the Rhythm’s 22 points as Charles and guard Shey Peddy of the Fever each had four. At the half, the Rhythm held a 40 – 36 lead.
Looking at quarter number three, the Glow defense held the Rhythm to 16 points while they scored 26. Phoenix Mercury center/forward Natasha Mack led the Glow in the quarter with six points. Also. I. Harrison and Sun guard Bria Hartley each scored five.
Shifting to the Rhythm, Los Angeles Sparks forward Alissa Pili and guard Jaylyn Sherrod of the Minnesota Lynx had three points apiece. Going into the fourth quarter, the Glow had a 62 – 56 lead against the Rhythm.
The fourth quarter was similar to the third as the Rhythm were held to 16 points while the Glow scored 22. In the end, the Glow took home the 84 – 72 victory over the Rhythm.
Rhythm Vs. Glow Recap
Without question, it was a family affair for MVP 1 and 2 honors for sisters Dorie Harrison and I. Harrison. D. Harrison won MVP 1 honors as she scored an Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball-high 14 points. I. Harrison led the Glow with 16 points as she grabbed nine rebounds and taking home MVP 2 honors.
Photo Credit: Athletes Unlimited
Next, Cooke and Gardner scored 11 as Gardner also had eight assists. Hartley put up 10 points, as did Mack along with eight boards.
Despite the defeat, Charles garnered MVP 3 honors as she got a double-double with game-highs 20 points and 15 rebounds. Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse was the only other Rhythm player with double-digit points with 12.
Game 20: Gold Rush Vs. Eclipse
This matchup saw Sims and the Gold Rush square off against Las Vegas Aces guard Kierstan Bell and the Eclipse. Following the end of the first quarter, the Eclipse held a 24 – 19 lead versus the Gold Rush.
For the Eclipse, Sparks guard Sarah Ashlee Barker scored 10 points in the quarter as Aces forward NaLyssa Smith had six. Forward Aneesah Morrow of the Sun led the Gold Rush points-wise in the quarter with 10 as guard Ariel Atkins scored six.
However, the Gold Rush has themselves a scoring rush with 27 points in the second quarter to the Eclipse’s 13. Sims and Morrow accounted for 15 of the 27 Gold Rush points with eight and seven, respectively. On the other side, Barker’s six points via two three-pointers led the scoring for the Eclipse in the quarter. At halftime, the Gold Rush were up on the Eclipse 46 – 37.
Both teams were finding the basket at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in quarter number three. A total of 50 points were scored as the Eclipse had 26 points to the Gold Rush’s 24.
Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen scored 10 points in the quarter as Smith added six for the Eclipse. Sims led the quarter with 11 points with Morrow scoring five for the Gold Rush.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Eclipse were down 70 – 63 to the Gold Rush. Ultimately, another offensive barrage by the Gold Rush cemented their 98 – 82 victory over the Eclipse.
Gold Rush Vs. Eclipse Recap
When it comes to MVP 1 honors, Sims took it home thanks to a double-double with 28 points and 10 assists for the Gold Rush. Likewise, Morrow got herself a double-double as well with 25 points and 14 boards, getting MVP 2 honors. Atkins scored 18 while Aces center Kiah Stokes grabbed 12 rebounds in the win.
Photo Credit: Athletes Unlimited
Barker led the Eclipse in scoring with 22 points, her eighth game in 10 outings with 10+ points this season. Once again, Smith got a double-double with a 21-point, 11 boards effort in 29 minutes of action. Chen scored 18 points, which is her sixth matchup with at least 15 points.
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