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Unrivaled everything: A recap of opening night

Sara Jane Gamelli 205 January 24, 2025 No Comments

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Sara Jane Gamelli

The first Inaugural night of Unrivaled has come and gone, and it's safe to say the league has exceeded expectations.

Photo Credit: Unrivaled

Co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled allows athletes to compete while staying stateside during the offseason. A one-of-a-kind 3-on-3 league, Unrivaled has set the bar and expectations in women's sports.

Receiving rave reviews from players and fans, Unrivaled was exactly as advertised and then some. From stellar marketing to the TNT pre-game, half-time, and post-game shows, it's been a real treat.

In fact, according to TNT Sports, the launch of Unrivaled was the most-watched women's basketball game on the TNT Sports platform ever. The fact that it drew 31 million views across Bleacher Report platforms in the first week speaks volumes.

Unrivaled drew a women's basketball viewership record on Sports Max in the first week alone. With that said, the matchups certainly didn't disappoint.

Unrivaled First matchup: Mist vs Lunar Owls

Video Credit: Ben Pickman/The Athletic

The first-ever matchup of the league included the Lunar Owls vs the Mist. It was a no-brainer to feature co-founders Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart in the face-off. And the script couldn't have been written any better. Stewart scored the first basket in league history, which included a mid-range bucket assisted by a screen. Following Stewart, Skylar Diggins-Smith scored the first points ever for the Lunar Owls.

For the Mist, the starters included Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, and Courtney Vandersloot. The Lunar Owls' starting lineup featured Napheesa Collier, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Allisha Gray.

Having momentum through the first two quarters, the Mist held a 46-44 lead at halftime. For the Owls, it was all Jewel Loyd, who put up an impressive 20 points before halftime. Loyd, known as the "Gold Mamba," finished with a game-high 34 points with four three-pointers.

Until the third quarter, the Mist hardly needed much production from Captain Stewart. Up 73-63, the game looked out of reach for the Owls. Most impressive were former rookies Rickea Jackson, who finished with 15 points, and Aaliyah Edwards, who poured in 10.

From there, viewers started to realize the 3-on-3 effect. It's a fast-paced style in which the lead can change at any moment. With Collier scoring 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds before the fourth quarter, the Owls inched their way back. Overall, Collier made an impressive debut with 27 points and 11 rebounds.

Aside from Cameron Brink, who was a DNP, both squads rotated their rosters equally. With five players down, Allisha Gay, Courtney Williams, and Shakira Austin were essential off the bench. For the Mist, the speedy backcourt duo of Courtney Vandersloot and DiJonai Carrington wasn't enough to secure the victory.

Unrivaled fourth quarter's are unmatched

Photo Credit: Unrivaled

With a 73-67 lead, the Mist held an 84-point game target score heading into the fourth. Holding the Mist to just seven points, it was all Lunar Owls from that point. From Gray tying it up 78 all with an and-one, it was the Skylar Diggins-Smith show.

After Diggins-Smith banked in a go-ahead three, the Mist couldn't capitalize on Jewel Loyd's offensive rebound. From there, Diggins-Smith was set up to notch the game-winning three-point bucket.

In a wild sequence of events, the first-ever Unrivaled matchup between the Mist and Lunar Owls was historic and exciting. Skylar Diggins-Smith may have been the hero with 21 points. However, it's an entire team effort. It's all about time, spacing, strategy, pace, and execution.

"You're just hooping," said Loyd. "Obviously it's really intense, and the fans were giving us great energy. It's electric. It's a very intimate setting as well. You feel and hear everything from everyone's talking. It's a great vibe to play basketball in. The first one set the standard pretty high."

The fourth quarter is bound to be exciting. The target score, with no set time limit, creates a unique dynamic for both teams.

"I think the fourth quarter is just so exciting no matter what because you're in on a game-winner every single game," said Collier. "That adrenaline was really fun. It was everything what we were hoping for."

Unrivaled Second Matchup: Rose vs Vinyl

The second matchup of the opening night did not disappoint, featuring the Rose vs. Vinyl. For Rose, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, and Angel Reese earned the starting nod. Arike Ogunbowale, Rhyne Howard, and Dearica Hamby were named starters for Vinyl.

Prior to the start of the matchup, there were several connections among the players and coaches. Not only were Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper teammates of the 2024 Olympic Gold Medal team, Rhyne Howard and Dearica Hamby helped the US take home the bronze in the 2024 3v3.

Featuring a mix of veterans and rookies, Angel Reese notched the first bucket of the game. This time, she was competing against her former coach, Teresa Weatherspoon. In fact, Reese scored eight points alone in the first quarter. A double-double machine, the former LSU star finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

One of my top predicted teams for the season, Vinyl, cruised to an early 23-17 lead over Rose. What stuck out to me was their defense, in which Rose was held below 40 % from the field and under 25 % from three.

Finishing with a game-high 33 points, it was Howard who sunk in 13 first-quarter points alone. And for the Rose, it was Copper and Gray who combined for 45 points. Although Rose started their comeback in the second quarter, the Vinyl was too much.

Rhyne Howard described Unrivaled as "Historic"

Overall, Dearica Hamby was a cheat code, bullying her way into the paint all night. Offensively and defensively, Hamby is the anchor of this team. She finished with 17 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.

Ultimately, it was a hard-fought game on both sides, including the Rose, who outscored Vinyl 15-12 in the fourth. While both Copper and Gray primarily led the offense, it was Ogunbowale who unselfishly handed off the rock to Hamby for the game-winning layup.

Like the first game, every player is a key piece for each team. Lexie Hull, Azurà Stevens, Brittney Sykes, Aliyah Boston, Rae Burrell, and Jordin Canada. Each of them placed a key part and will remain crucial down the stretch.

Once up 67-58, Vinyl captured a 79-73 victory to move to 1-0. All smiles at the post-game podium, it was Howard who had nothing but praise for the league.

"It's historic," said Rhyne Howard of Unrivaled. "Honestly, the feeling is surreal. Just taking it in, having a lot of fun. Being able to come out, compete, and have a baby step going into the W season without having to go overseas is great to be a part of."

Hitting record viewership numbers, Unrivaled has set the tone overall from a fan and player perspective in the opening weekend. With the rise and importance of women's sports, this is just the beginning.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator, and Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the Women's Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane currently resides in the Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate

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