Napheesa Collier, Lunar Owls Clinch 1st-Ever Unrivaled Playoff Spot with Win vs. Laces

The Lunar Owls have clinched Unrivaled’s first playoff spot in the league’s inaugural season after crushing Laces Basketball Club 88-60 on Saturday evening.

All five Lunar Owls players scored in double digits, with Allisha Gray’s 26 points and three steals leading the way. Skylar Diggins-Smith added 25 points and five assists, while Napheesa Collier scored 16 points.

Off the bench, Courtney Williams had a near triple-double in just 16 minutes with 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Shakira Austin added 10 points.

The game was tied late in the first quarter at 27 before Williams’ three put the Lunar Owls up for good, 30-27. They dominated from there, leading 57-42 at halftime and 76-53 after the third quarter.

For Laces, Kayla McBride’s 18 points led the way.

The Lunar Owls started the year 8-0 before dropping their first game, 72-63, to Rose Basketball Club on Friday.

But this team has proven to be a tremendous machine and the clear favorite for Unrivaled’s first championship. Laces has enjoyed a good season and even entered the evening alone in second with a 5-3 record, but Lunar Owls showed why they’re the team to beat.

A couple weeks of regular-season matchups still remain, but the four-team semifinals will occur on Sunday, March 16. The final will occur the next day.