Angel Reese’s Historic Night: A Game to Remember
Angel Reese stood straight up with her right arm extended in the air as Shakira Austin tried to draw contact on the forward in the third quarter of the Rose’s game against the Lunar Owls. It was a moment that encapsulated the intensity and skill that Reese brings to the court. Austin, determined to make her mark, lowered her shoulder and awkwardly launched the ball up. But instead of a foul, Reese tipped the ball away with precision. Austin, not one to back down, recovered and squared up against Reese once more. She attempted a spin move toward the basket, but Reese was right there, mirroring her every move. The pressure was on, and Austin was forced to throw the ball up toward the basket in desperation.
After collecting the rebound, Reese made sure to turn her head back to look at her opponent before taking off down the court. It was a statement, a declaration of dominance. That was just one of Reese’s 21 rebounds on Friday night, to go along with her 22 points, making her the first player in Unrivaled history to record a 20-point, 20-rebound game at Unrivaled. “You know, got to make history,” Reese said, a big smile spreading across her face. “Being able to see my growth, I put in the work and a lot of people don’t see what I put in. It’s great to see the results out there. But obviously, I’m not done yet.”
This performance from Reese comes just three days after she recorded a 15-point, 16-rebound double-double on Tuesday, helping propel the Rose to a four-game win streak. On Friday, it led the Rose to a 72-63 win over the Owls, handing them their first loss of the season. As Reese exited the court, she mimicked the Lunar Owls’ “Hootie Hoo” rallying cry, yelling out that chant while flapping her hands. As she entered the postgame press conference, she sniffed a red rose, a fitting tribute to her team’s name and her own blossoming career.
“I think everyone just came out with an extra oomph tonight,” Reese said. “We knew that they were 8-0 and no one believed in us outside of that locker room. It was just us. That’s all that matters…it takes every pedal to make the rose. And tonight, it contributed.”
Chelsea Gray added 26 points and five rebounds to the Rose’s win. “There has been a lot of chatter out there that I ain’t got it, and I’m here,” Gray said. “So, quiet the noise.” The tandem of Gray and Reese has been instrumental to the growth of the Rose and them going on their hot streak as they head into the final weeks of the regular season.
Playing alongside each other was something Reese admitted was a struggle for her early on at Unrivaled as she learned where Gray likes the ball, and also how to navigate Gray’s passing and facilitating. “If you talk to her, she’ll say I’ve gotten way better it,” Reese said. “Being able to have that kind of vet has been amazing. I love Chelsea and her energy.”
“There is a lot of communication,” Gray said about Reese. “She works so hard. She’s a force down low, she’s making shots and when she is locked in on both ends of the floor, she is really hard to guard.”
- With this win, the Rose sit in third place in the standings.
- They are just a half-game back from the Laces in second.
- Playoffs for Unrivaled feature the top four teams.
- Head-to-head records and point differentials serve as the tiebreaker.
As the Rose continue their journey, the partnership between Reese and Gray will be crucial. Their synergy on the court is a testament to their hard work and dedication. With the playoffs looming, the Rose are poised to make a significant impact, and with players like Reese and Gray leading the charge, anything is possible.
Originally Written by: Kendra Andrews
