Unequalled’s 1v1 match continued Tuesday evening, and 4 WNBA gamers superior. As a result of they’re headed to the semi-finals, every of these gamers additionally walks away with a $25,000 money prize.
Unequalled’s 1v1 match Second Spherical outcomes
14 WNBA gamers competed within the second spherical: Allisha Grey, Kahleah Copper, Rae Burrell, Jewell Loyd, Shakira Austin, Azura Stevens, Rickea Jackson, Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams, Rhyne Howard, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Arike Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington, Satou Sabally. Aaliyah Edwards had a bye after defeating Breanna Stewart 12-0 within the first spherical of the match.
The one-elimination match options video games to 11 factors (or 10 minutes, whichever comes first). And, gamers adhere to a 7-second shot clock, maintaining the ball in the event that they rating.
Allisha Grey beats Kahleah Copper 11-5: Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Grey handily defeated Phoenix Mercury ahead Kahleah Copper within the first 1v1 sport of the evening. Grey is the fourth-leading scorer in Unequalled up to now, and he or she continues her offensive excellence on this one.
Rae Burrell defeats Jewell Loyd 11-4: Burrell, who has each the peak and wingspan benefit, jumped out to a 9-0 lead on this one. Loyd responded with 4 straight factors, however Burrell stripped Loyd and completed with a layup to tug off the upset towards the top-seeded Loyd.
Azura Stevens beat Shakira Austin 11-4: Austin upset Chelsea Grey within the first spherical, coming away with a 12-2 win. Stevens, in the meantime, had a bye resulting from Alyssa Thomas being injured within the first spherical. Stevens’ offensive rebounding offered an edge within the match-up and helped her bounce out to a 7-0 lead and in the end maintain off consecutive Austin baskets.
Napheesa Collier beat Rickea Jackson 12-5: Rickea Jackson and Napheesa Collier each received their first-round matchups, Jackson towards Jackie Younger and Collier towards Katie Lue Samuelson.
Courtney Williams beat Rhyne Howard 11-9: Courtney Williams had a bye within the first spherical, whereas Howard defeated Lexie Hull 12-7. Regardless of being undersized within the matchup, Williams snuck away with the win, and celebrated along with her dad, Don Williams, on the sidelines.
Arike Ogunbowale beat Skylar Diggins-Smith 12-8: Skylar Diggins-Smith has been on a tear this Unequalled season — and continued issues with an 11-3 defeat of Dearica Hamby within the first spherical. However, Arike Ogunbowale, who was the top-seeded participant within the match and subsequently had a bye within the first spherical, received this matchup on a free throw regardless of admittedly not being on the right track from deep,
Satou Sabally beat DiJonai Carrington 11-4: DiJonai Carrington, one in all ladies’s basketball’s prime defenders, and Satou Sabally, one of many WNBA’s most versatile gamers, confronted off within the second spherical after each having a bye within the first. Sabally emerged victorious, with Carrington merely struggling to place up sufficient factors.
Quarterfinal outcomes: Aaliyah Edwards, Azura Stevens, Napheesa Collier advance
Aaliyah Edwards beat Allisha Grey 12-6: Edwards offered the most important upset of the match on evening one, beating fellow Mist teammate Breanna Stewart 12-0. She adopted that up with one other upset — this time over Allisha Grey.
She benefitted from a bye within the second spherical earlier than going through Allisha Grey within the third, that means she was the one quarterfinal participant who performed only one sport on Tuesday.
Azura Stevens beat Rae Burrell 12-2: Two Los Angeles Sparks gamers confronted off within the quarterfinals: Rae Burrell and Azura Stevens. Stevens, who had a big measurement benefit within the matchup, got here out scorching out of the gate and was victorious. Burrell gave her area defensively.
“She was giving me, she was backing up,” Stevens mentioned of Burrell after the victory. “Should you’re gonna again up, Imma make it.”
Napheesa Collier beats Courtney Williams 12-4: Courtney Williams put up battle, however in the end wasn’t in a position to get consecutive stops on Napheesa Collier, who’s 5 inches taller than her and Unequalled’s main scorer up to now. Collier and Williams are teammates each within the WNBA (Minnesota Lynx) and Unequalled (Lunar Owls) however for one evening, they have been opponents.
“You will be acquainted, however you continue to must cease me,” Collier mentioned of Williams’ makes an attempt to close her down.
Arike Ogunbowale beats Satou Sabally 12-8: Arike Ogunbowale (who’s 5’8) overcame a big top drawback to beat Satou Sabally (who’s 6’4). She jumped out to an 8-0 lead and holding on for a 12-8 win. The Dallas Wings star in the end received it on a free throw.
“She’s a giant guard, or a giant put up, no matter it’s,” Ogunbowale mentioned with a smile. “However I’m a giant guard! I’m 5’8. I bought a bit of little bit of muscle.”
The Unequalled 1v1 match winner shall be topped on Friday
Because of Tuesday’s gameplay, 4 gamers superior to the quarterfinals, and every of these gamers earned a $25,000 money prize: Azura Stevens (Rose), Napheesa Collier (Lunar Owls), Aaliyah Edwards (Mist), and Arike Ogunbowale (Vinyl)
However more cash is on the road; the match winner shall be awarded a money prize of $200,000, whereas the runner-up will earn a $50,000 prize. And, members of the Rose, Lunar Owls, Mist, and Vinyl will assist their Unequalled teammate, as all teammates shall be awarded $10,000 if their teammate wins all of it.
The semi-finals will happen on Friday, Feb. 14 at 7 pm. There, Collier and Stevens will face off, whereas Edwards and Ogunbowale will face off.
The winners of every of these matchups will compete in a best-of-three sequence for the 1v1 title.
