As Week One of Season Three of AU Basketball is in the books, there is much to be excited about. The leaderboard sees a 316-point lead held by Allisha Gray (more on her later). Also, the gap between second and fifth place is 237 points with Week Two on the horizon. Games Five and Six were a tale of two matchups in every sense. That being said, here is a recap of the final doubleheader of the opening set of games.
Game Five: Team Mitchell took care of Team Hull for their first victory
Credit: Jade Hewitt/Athletes Unlimited
This game saw both teams searching for a win in the 2024 AU Basketball season-opening week. In the end, the backcourt of team captain Kelsey Mitchell and Zia Cooke. Mitchell scored 23 points as the Indiana Fever star took home MVP 2 honors in the 90-77 win. It was Mitchell’s 19th Game MVP honor, the most by any player in the three-year history of AU Hoops. Not to be outdone, Cooke garnered MVP 3 honors with 24 points and eight boards.
ZIA! 🔥
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) March 3, 2024
finishing her first week with #AUProHoops on a high note #AUProHoops x @zia_cooke pic.twitter.com/ytgmoWnkTV
Lexie Hull once again set the pace for her squad with 31 points, six dimes, and six caroms while getting MVP 1 honors. It was her second straight MVP 1 honors and fifth all-time in the league. Forward Ruthy Hebard missed out on a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Game Six: Team Gray outlasted Team Sims in a high-scoring affair
Credit: Jade Hewitt/Athletes Unlimited
Without question, this game lived up to the hype with both squads looking to sweep all three matchups of Week One. Gray’s team held a 52 – 43 at halftime, but Odyssey Sims and her squad outscored Team Gray by a 33 – 20 margin in the third frame. Gray and guard Tiffany Mitchell were too much for Team Sims to overcome in the 107 – 103 victory.
The team captain led all scorers with 29 points as Mitchell had 25 points on 10 of 18 shooting from the field. Gray and Mitchell took home MVP 1 and MVP 2 honors, respectively. Emily Engstler picked up MVP 3 honors with her 16 points in 27 minutes of action on the court. It is important to note that Natasha Cloud was dishing dimes with 12 as she had 15 points in the win.
WHAT. AN. ENDING.
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) March 4, 2024
Team Gray pulls off the 3-0 week from some clutch performances 😮💨#AUProHoops | 📺 WNBA App pic.twitter.com/LiaZpZ9uox
Sims made history even in defeat with 22 points and 16 assists. It was sixth game of her AU Basketball career with 10+ dimes in a game for the Dallas Wings guard. It is the most of any player in league history. Additionally, Sims also stands as the first player ever in AU Hoops with 20 + points and 15+ assists. In total, five other players on the team reached double-digits in points.
Who will be the team captains in Week Two of AU Basketball?
Being on Team Gray helped in Week One as Gray, Tiffany Mitchell, and Cloud will be team captains in Week Two. It will be gold for Team Gray, orange for Mitchell, and blue for Cloud. The fourth captain is someone familiar with the role in Sims.
It with be her seventh straight week as a captain and ninth overall. Week Two of AU Basketball begins on Thursday, March 7th as Team Cloud and Team Mitchell face off at 6:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. CT on the WNBA App and Bally Sports.
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