Ahead of the matchup versus the Lunar Owls on Tuesday night in Miami, the Breeze lost three of their last four games. The Youngins, sitting with a 5 – 5 record, were in search of a win to stay in the Unrivaled playoff hunt.
Breeze Vs. Lunar Owls: Unrivaled Basketball
In the first quarter, the Breeze offense was cooled as it scored just 14 points to the Lunar Owls’ 24. Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga scored six points for the Breeze. Also, the recently acquired guard Courtney Williams of the Minnesota Lynx had six points in the quarter.
The trio of forward Aaliyah Edwards, guards Marina Mabrey, and Rachel Banham accounted for 22 of the Lunar Owls’ 24 points. Edwards of the Connecticut Sun led the way for the Lunar Owls with 10 points. Additionally, Mabrey of the Sun and Banham of the Chicago Sky had six points each in the quarter.
Quarter number two saw the Breeze increase the scoring with 19 points while Lunar Owls were held to 15. Here, Malonga and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers scored six points in the quarter for the Breeze. Looking at the Lunar Owls, Edwards and Storm guard Skylar Diggins put up six points in the quarter. At the half, the Breeze were down 39 – 33 to the Lunar Owls.
A Close Second Half
Both offenses had the offense going with 20+ points apiece in the third quarter. The Breeze scored 21 points, but the Lunar Owls had 25. Diggins and Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle each scored eight points for the Lunar Owls. Bueckers had eight points as Malonga scored six for the Breeze in the quarter.
Following the conclusion of the third quarter, the Lunar Owls held a 64 – 54 lead against the Breeze. In this case, the winning score would be 75 points or more. While the Breeze fought hard, a layup by Mabrey dropped the Breeze to below .500 at 5 – 6.
Breeze Vs. Lunar Owls Recap
Firstly, Malonga led the Breeze and all scorers with 29 points, going 14-of-17 (82.4 percent) from the field. Bueckers scored 19 points in 17 minutes of action as Williams got 15 points and seven assists. Finally, Cameron Brink added five points as Kate Martin scored two in the game.
Edwards got a double-double in the win for the Lunar Owls with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Diggins put up 23 points to go with her five assists and boards. For Banham, she went four-of-seven from three-point range, scoring 12 points. Mabrey and Temi Fagbenle had eight points apiece.
Up next for the Breeze is the Vinyl on Saturday night as they look to avenge the loss against them back on Jan. 17. The Lunar Owls will have a game on Saturday night as well versus the Mist.
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