Angel Reese and Rose Basketball Club may have a tough hill to climb as they look to build their way back up the Unrivaled standings.
The club is one of three squads to fall to 0-2 on the season after taking losses to the Vinyl and Lunar Owls. Reese showed signs of improvement on offense during her first matchup with the Vinyl even as she hit three of her seven shot attempts. Guards Kahleah Copper and Chelsea Gray would combine for 73 points across their first two games. Gray separated herself as one of the team's lead playmakers with 12 total assists.
Can the Rose change their fortune in their upcoming bout against the Mist?
The Mist, led by one of the league's founders in forward Breanna Stewart, have fallen to 0-2 following losses to the Lunar Owls and Laces. Stewart, an All-WNBA and All-Defensive team selection last season, led the squad with 17 points and 13 rebounds as the Mist were defeated by the Laces in a 63-43 loss. Laces guard Kayla McBride led the team with 21 points. Guard Courtney Vandersloot, a Chicago Sky legend and a potential target for the Windy City's team in free agency, is averaging eight points per game for the Mist in two games played.
The Rose must up their scoring potential and beat the Mist on the battle of the boards to take their first win of the season.
The Mist are in second place in the league with 41.5 rebounds per game. They are tied with the Rose at first place with 8.5 offensive boards per contest. Despite sporting the WNBA's top rebounder in Reese, the Rose are fourth in Unrivaled with 32.5 rebounds per game. Staying disciplined and cutting down on turnovers and fouls will be key for both sides, who nearly lead the league in both categories.
The Mist feature one of the league's top scorers across two games in guard Jewell Loyd, who is averaging 20 points in 12 minutes per game. Copper and Gray are close behind her as some of the league's top scorers. Forward Napheesa Collier, who dropped 31 points against the Rose last week, is leading Unrivaled with an astounding 29 points per game.
Rose BC will tip off against the Mist at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on TruTV.