All things considered, the fifth season of Athletes Unlimited Basketball is off to a fast start in Nashville. Ahead of the final doubleheader, one team was in search of remaining perfect as another looked to avoid being winless. What’s more, both contests were decided by five points ore less. Without further ado, here is a recap of Games Five and Six of the opening week of AU Basketball.
Game Five: Eclipse Vs. Rhythm
Photo Credit: Jade Hewitt Athletes Unlimited
In this case, Alysha Clark and the Eclipse look to go 3-0 while Lexie Brown and the Rhythm are looking for win No.1. The Eclipse took control in the first quarter, taking a 26-17 lead over the Rhythm. Guard Kaitlyn Chen of the Golden State Valkyries led the Eclipse in the quarter with six points as Clark had five. Minnesota Lynx guard Jaylyn Sherrod scored seven points for the Rhythm in the quarter.
The second quarter saw the Rhythm outscore Eclipse 18-17, but still found themselves down by a 43-35 margin at halftime. Bree Hall, a guard for the Indiana Fever, put up eight points in the quarter for the Rhythm. Also, Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse had six points for the squad in the quarter.
At the conclusion of quarter number three, the Rhythm closed the deficit to five with a 63-58 score. Hall scored eight for the squad while Connecticut Sun forward Aneesah Morrow had five points for the Eclipse in the quarter. The fourth quarter saw the same scoring output from the second from both teams.
Ultimately, the Eclipse wrapped up Week One of the Athletes Unlimited Basketball undefeated at 3-0, winning 80-76. For the Rhythm, the week ended on a low note as they finished 0-3.
Eclipse Vs. Rhythm Stats Recap
Looking at the Eclispe, Morrow led the team in scoring with 16 points. Next, Chen took home MVP 3 Honors with 15 points, going three-of-five from three-point range. Guard Kierstan Bell of the Las Vegas Aces had 12 points in 20 minutes of action. Finally, Mercedes Russell notched a double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds in the win.
Hall led the Rhythm and the game with 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting, earning MVP 1 honors. MVP 2 Honors went to Sherrod as she had 14 points, seven boards, and five assists. Nye added 12 points while as Natasha Mack got herself a double-double. The Phoenix Mercury forward scored 11 points with 13 rebounds as Nurse added 10 points.
Game Six: Glow Vs. Gold Rush
Photo Credit: Athletes Unlimited
The final game of Week One saw NaLyssa Smith and the Glow face Bria Hartley and the Gold Rush. With each team looking for their second victory, the Glow took an early 26 – 18 lead over the Gold Rush in the first quarter.
Sky guard Ariel Atkins accounted for 14 of the Glow’s 26 points in the quarter. As for the Gold Rush, Los Angeles Sparks guard Sarah Ashlee Barker scored six points. Barker’s points came from beyond the arc.
In the second quarter, each squad scored 20+ points as the Glow had exactly 20 points and the Gold Rush 22 points. The Gold Rush found themselves down by a score of 46-40 at the half. Quarter number three was all Gold Rush as they scored 26 points to the Glow’s 14.
Fever guard Odyssey Sims scored 10 points as Barker added seven in the quarter for the Gold Rush. Entering the final quarter, the Glow were now down 66-60 to the Gold Rush.
However, the momentum would go back to the Glow in the fourth quarter.The Glow held the Gold Rush to just 12 points as they scored 23 points. In the end, the Glow shined and ended the week with a 2-1 mark with an 83-78 victory.
Glow Vs. Gold Rush Stats Recap
For the Glow, Atkins won MVP 1 Honors with 19 points, eight boards, and five dimes in the win. Center Tina Charles scored 15 points with eight boards in 34 minutes of play. As well, Sparks forward Emma Cannon had 14 points with five rebounds. Lastly, guard Zia Cooke and Washington Mystics guard Jacy Sheldon each scored 12 points as Cooke also had six assists.
Sims led the Gold Rush with 23 points along with seven boards, winning MVP 3 Honors. Barker garnered MVP 2 Honors with 16 points with five rebounds and assists.
Photo Credit: Athletes Unlimited
She hit all three of the team’s three-point shots. Fever guard Aerial Powers put up 16 points with seven rebounds in the close defeat.
Team Captains for Week Two of Athletes Unlimited Basketball
Heading into Week Two, the Athletes Unlimited Basketball leaderboard shows Chen atop it with 1,583 points and will lead the Gold Rush. The Glow will be captained by New York Liberty guard Rebekah Gardner as she finished second on the leaderboard.
Morrow will look to add some groove as she will lead the Rhythm. Last but not least, the Eclipse will be captained by Clark once again. It’s important to note that forward Asia Taylor was fourth, but is excused for Week Two.
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