After the opening doubleheader of Season Five of AU Basketball, the games will be competitive and entertaining for the fans. The second doubleheader on Friday evening saw matchup between teams seeking to stay undefeated (Eclipse vs. Glow) and seeking win No. 1 (Rhythm vs. Gold Rush). Here, fans in Nashville witnessed plenty of offense and a bit of history.
Game Three: Eclipse vs. Glow
Following wins to open the AU Pro Basketball season, captains Alysha Clark (Eclipse) and NaLyssa Smith (Glow) sought to go 2-0. The game was tied at 28 points each at the conclusion of the first quarter.
Center Mercedes Russell led the scoring for the Eclipse in the quarter with six points. Additionally, guard Rebekah Gardner of the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces guard Kierstan Bell each had five points. For the Glow, guard Zia Cooke led the squad in scoring with seven points as Los Angeles Sparks forward Emma Cannon had six.
In the second quarter, the Eclipse edged the Glow with 25 points to 23 and took a 53 – 51 lead into the half. However, the lead grew in quarter number three for the Eclipse with 29 points. They would take a 82-70 lead into the fourth quarter.
Although Smith (six) and center Tina Charles (seven) accounted for 13 of the Glow’s 22 points in the fourth, it was not enough. In back-to-back contests, the Eclipse reached the century mark with a 100-92 over the Glow.
Eclipse vs. Glow Stats Recap
Looking at the Eclipse, Chen took home MVP 1 Honors with 18 points and six assists. What’s more, the Golden State Valkyries guard went seven-of-seven from the field. Forward Aneesah Morrow of the Connecticut Sun put up a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Guard Kayana Traylor added 14 points in the victory. Like Chen, Gardner went perfect from the field. She was five-of-five from the field, scoring 12 points. The MVP 3 honors went to Russell, who scored 12 points and grabbed nine boards. Finally, forward Asia Taylor scored 11 points.
In spite of the loss, Cooke led all scorers with 25 points and was the MVP 2 of the game. She went four-of-seven from three-point range. Smith and Charles each put up another double. Smith had 19 points and 10 rebounds as Charles notched 10 points and boards.
Game Four: Rhythm vs. Gold Rush
In this game, captains Lexie Brown (Rhythm) and Bria Hartley (Gold Rush) looked to get into the win column. The opening quarter was low-scoring as the Rhythm held an 18-17 lead over the Gold Rush. Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse and guard Shey Peddy of the Indiana Fever had seven points apiece in the quarter for the Rhythm.
Quarter number two was a complete shift as the Gold Rush took control with 24 points in the quarter. Guard Aerial Powers of the Fever scored eight points while teammate Odyssey Sims had six for the Gold Rush. It is important to note that Brown hit her 100th career three-pointer in her AU Pro Basketball career with 5:26 in the quarter. At halftime, the Gold Rush held a 41-35 lead over the Rhythm.
The third quarter saw the Rhythm take the back the lead by outscoring the Gold Rush 25 points to 15 points. Going into the fourth quarter, the Gold Rush were down 60-56. Yet, it was back-and-forth akin to the previous three quarters. Ultimately, the Gold Rush was too much down the stretch for the Rhythm. It was an 80-72 victory for the Gold Rush.
Rhythm vs. Gold Rush Stats Recap
The duo of Sims and Powers led the way for the winning Gold Rush squad, taking home MVP 1 and 2 honors, respectively. Sims scored 21 points with seven rebounds and six assists as Powers put up 16 points with nine boards.
Sparks guard Sarah Ashlee Barker had 13 points as forward scored 12 in the win. Also, Aces center Kiah Stokes grabbed 15 rebounds for the Gold Rush.
Shifting to the Rhythm, Nurse was the MVP 2 of the game with 22 points in the loss. Moreover, Brown scored 15 points on three-of-five shooting from beyond the arc. Peddy and Phoenix Mercury center/forward Natasha Mack put up 11 points. For Mack, it was a double-double effort as she also had 15 boards.
Up next for the Gold Rush is the Glow and the Rhythm will face the Eclipse to close out Week One of AU Pro Basketball.
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