The Rose Basketball Club earned their 2nd-straight win and their third win in five games with a 71-63 victory over the Mist on Friday.
The Mist's youthful duo of forwards Rickea Jackson and Aaliyah Edwards proved their worth as they earned a combined 29 points in 24 minutes of play. Guard Kahleah Copper, the Rose's leading scorer, led the squad with 21 points in 14 minutes of play as she showcased the scoring prowess that made her an effective option for the Phoenix Mercury last season.
Rose forward Azura Stevens, who has proven to be one of the better reserve options in the newly-founded league, ended the night with a near-double-double while hitting an efficient six of her nine tries from the floor. She hit the game-winner, a putback layup off a miss from Copper, to ultimately seal the key victory for the Rose. The former Chicago Sky forward sparked a fantastic start to the month of February as she dropped 23 points in a win over the Laces last week.
Mist forward Breanna Stewart proved to be a tough defensive anchor on the inside as she repelled attacks from Copper and forward Angel Reese. The 6-time WNBA All-Defensive selection ended the night with four blocks as she continuously showed her strength in the paint. Reese still ended the night with 12 points as she refused to relent on the interior. She added 12 rebounds, including six on offense, as she led all players on the boards.
Four teams held a record of 2-4 entering Friday's matchup. With a Lunar Owls win over the Phantom, which propelled the squad to a perfect 7-0, the Rose now sit in third place in Unrivaled with a record of 3-4. They are 1.5 games behind the Laces for the second spot in the offseason league. The Laces will face off against the Vinyl on Saturday, while the Lunar Owls will take on the Mist as they look to extend their flawless record before the league's 1-on-1 tournament.
The 30-player tournament, which will include Copper and Stevens, will tip off on Feb. 10. Five Rose players and five former Sky players will compete for their share of a $350,000 prize pool, which includes $200,000 for the winner. Guards Jewell Loyd and Arike Ogunbowale will have byes going into the first round. The first 1-on-1 matchup will tip off at 7 p.m. EST on Monday.