Game Changers of Day Four: Unrivaled Basketball

Day four of Unrivaled Basketball took place today, live on TNT and HBO Max. The opening game saw Satou Sabally’s Phantoms battling Breanna Stewart's Mist. Following this, Alyssa Thomas and the Laces challenged Arike Ogunbowale and the Vinyl Basketball Club. The evening was filled with exceptional performances. Several players significantly impacted their teams, regardless of whether they won or lost. Let's highlight four impactful contributors from each team. These players truly made their presence felt!

Misty Magic

Breanna Stewart was the pivotal player for the Mist tonight. She ended the game against the Phantoms with another double-double. She had 27 points and 11 rebounds. Even with two teammates missing, Stewart propelled the Mist forward, drawing a key foul against Satou Sabally in the fourth quarter. This play sidelined Sabally, weakening the Phantoms' scoring potential. Stewart's relentless energy kept the Mist competitive. Although the Phantoms ultimately won, the margin of victory was slim. Stewart's determination brought the Mist within a single possession.

Phantom Phenomenon

Brittney Griner was instrumental in leading the Phantoms to victory tonight. Despite missing two vital players, the team rallied with Griner at the forefront, scoring 29 points and grabbing nine rebounds to nearly achieve a double-double. She made 14 out of 18 of her shots from the field goal. Griner’s standout performance was marked by several highlights, with my personal favorite coming at the end of the game. Griner made the game-winning basket, a stylish fall-away jumper, that sealed the Phantoms' first win in Unrivaled Basketball. Thanks to Griner, the final score stood at 74-69 in favor of the Phantoms.

Vinyl Vortex

Starting in tonight’s Vinyl vs. Laces game, Dearica Hamby delivered with 18 points and 8 rebounds. She was a defensive force, forcing turnovers with four steals. Ranked fifth in Unrivaled for points per game, Hamby shot 60% from the field tonight. She excels at capitalizing on offensive rebounds for quick points. In the first quarter, Hamby scored off a pick and roll, then went coast-to-coast moments later, showcasing her hustle. Hamby isn’t afraid to drive downhill and score in the paint, always finding herself in the right place at the right time.

Tied Together

The team leader for the Laces, Tiffany Hayes, led with 26 points, outscoring players from both teams and propelling the Laces to maintain their winning streak. Shooting 57.89% from the field and making half of her shots from beyond the arc, Hayes was on fire in the second quarter. She drained two consecutive three-pointers, prompting a timeout for Vinyl. Exiting the break, Hayes hit another three, extending the Laces' lead to 14. Consistently scoring in double digits in all three Unrivaled games she’s played, Hayes has been vital to the Laces' number-one league standing. Her contributions have without a doubt cemented her role as the team's ace player!

Honorable Mentions

This Friday night’s doubleheader was a ride from beginning to end! Fans were on the edge of their seats with every play. Matchups were intense across the board. Rickea Jackson, Satou Sabally, and Kayla McBride were the second-highest scorers for their respective teams tonight. Sabally led with a remarkable 29 points, followed by Jackson with 24, and McBride with 22. For the Vinyl, Rhyne Howard and Arike Ogunbowale both tied with 16 points. These noteworthy performances were key in keeping the action rolling!

Tara Lawhorn

Tara is a second-year student at East Carolina University with a dedicated passion for writing and sports. She aims to seamlessly bridge the gaps between these fields by crafting informative pieces about basketball and soccer.

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