In a thrilling display of basketball prowess, the Phantom team secured their third consecutive victory, outshining Mist with a stellar performance in the third quarter and clutch shooting. The Ghost Gang's late-game surge, led by the dynamic duo of Aliyah Boston and Kiki Iriafen, proved to be the game-changer. With just over two minutes left in the third, Boston's three-pointer, assisted by Iriafen, set the stage for a dominant run. Iriafen's subsequent steal and layup further extended Phantom's lead.
This triumph not only solidifies Phantom's grip on second place in the Unrivaled standings but also highlights their superior shooting accuracy. The Ghost Gang's field goal percentage of nearly 53% and 10 three-pointers, including five from Kelsey Plum, outshone Mist's struggles. Mist, on the other hand, faced shooting woes, managing less than 41% from the field and just two three-pointers.
Plum's exceptional performance earned her 28 points, seven assists, and Player of the Game accolades. Iriafen's new Unrivaled high of 20 points, coupled with Boston's 18 points and seven rebounds, showcased Phantom's depth. Breanna Stewart's 28 points and Veronica Burton's 15 points further contributed to the team's success. Mist's Allisha Gray's off-night, going 1-for-11, was a notable contrast.
Meanwhile, the Rose team, led by their Big 3 of Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, and Shakira Austin, secured a hard-fought victory over Vinyl. Rose's intense defense and attention to detail were key to their 74-66 win, ending a two-game losing streak. Vinyl, despite trailing by 24 points, threatened a comeback in the fourth quarter, slicing Rose's lead to six points. However, Dearica Hamby's perfect 7-for-7 performance in the quarter sealed the deal for Rose.
With these wins, Phantom advances to 7-3, while Mist falls to 6-4. Rose, now 5-5, maintains a 2-0 season series edge over Vinyl, who holds onto a playoff berth in sixth at 4-6.
