Defending Champions Move to 3-0 as Another Chelsea Gray 37-Point Masterclass Powers Comeback Win
Game Flow
Unrivaled’s format (Newbies: three seven-minute periods followed by an Elam Ending: target score of leading team’s points plus 11) kept the pace relentless through this opening game. The contest stayed tight throughout, with both teams showcasing efficient offense and physical defense.
Early Periods: Breeze jumped out with strong shooting and Bueckers’ playmaking, building leads through interior scoring from Malonga and Jackson’s perimeter threat. Rose countered with Gray’s hot hand from deep, keeping it close amid back-and-forth action.
Mid-Game Shifts: Turnovers plagued Breeze more as the game wore on, allowing Rose to chip away. Austin’s rebounding and Stevens’ spacing helped Rose tie the rebounds and force defensive stops.
Elam Ending: In the decisive no-clock fourth, Chelsea Gray continued her onslaught, but it was Austin’s clutch two-point layup that sealed the win for Rose, holding off Breeze’s late push despite their higher shooting efficiency.
Clutch Performances & Key Moments
Chelsea Gray was unstoppable for Rose, erupting for 37 points on 12-20 shooting (7-9 from three), adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists in a performance that anchored their comeback. Shakira Austin delivered 17 points (8-12 FG), 8 rebounds, and the game-winning layup, while Azurá Stevens contributed 12 points and 6 rebounds. Lexie Hull added 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists for balance.
For Breeze, Dominique Malonga dominated inside with 20 points (9-14 FG) and 5 rebounds, matching Rickea Jackson’s 20 points (8-16 FG, 4-6 from three) and 4 rebounds. Paige Bueckers stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, nearly a triple-double, while Cameron Brink provided 12 points, 6 rebounds, and a block.
Pivotal moments included Rose’s three-point barrage (10 makes) to counter Breeze’s paint presence, and their ability to force 12 Breeze turnovers while committing only 7. Austin’s layup in the 4th quarter proved the dagger, securing the hard-fought win in a showcase of veteran savvy versus youthful energy. I wish I could have bet on this one.
Postgame Thoughts
Chelsea Gray.
Dearica Hamby Drops 40-Points in Vinyl’s First Win of 2026 Season
For the nightcap game, Vinyl BC delivered a commanding performance, defeating Hive BC 89-66 in Unrivaled’s fast-paced 3-on-3 action. Vinyl improved to 1-2, picking up their first victory of the young season, while Hive fell to 0-3 and continued their search for consistency. Dearica Hamby led the charge with an explosive 40 points (16-23 FG), 10 rebounds, and the game-sealing layup, supported by Rhyne Howard’s sharpshooting (18 points, 6-8 from three). Hive got solid efforts from Sonia Citron (17 points) and Monique Billings (17 points), but Vinyl’s superior shooting (58.6% FG, 64.7% from three) and rebounding edge (32-22) proved overwhelming in a game that featured strong offensive displays and physical interior play.
Game Flow
Vinyl built momentum early, controlled the tempo the majority of the game, and pulled away in the 3rd quarter.
- First Quarter: A competitive start saw Hive jump out to a 9-5 lead behind Kelsey Mitchell’s drives and Sonia Citron’s free throws. Vinyl responded with Hamby’s efficient layups and a buzzer-beating three from Courtney Williams, taking a slim 24-23 lead.
- Second Quarter: Vinyl pushed ahead with an 11-4 run sparked by Rae Burrell and Hamby, building a 51-44 halftime advantage. Howard’s three-point barrage and Hamby’s interior scoring extended the cushion as Hive struggled with turnovers.
- Third Quarter: Vinyl exploded for 27 points while holding Hive to 11, outscoring them in a 27-11 quarter. Howard drained multiple stepback threes, and Hamby cleaned up on the glass, ballooning the lead to 78-55 entering the final stretch.
- Fourth Quarter: Hive mounted a brief rally with Citron’s three and Magbegor’s putback, trimming it to 85-64, but Vinyl answered with Hamby’s key layups (including the game-winning two-point finish assisted by Williams) to seal the 23-point rout.
Clutch Performances & Key Moments
Dearica Hamby was unstoppable for Vinyl, pouring in 40 points on 16-23 shooting (including multiple finger rolls and putbacks), grabbing 10 rebounds (4 offensive), and delivering the dagger layup in the closing minutes. Rhyne Howard added 18 points with a scorching 6-8 from three-point range, providing spacing and firepower. Courtney Williams dished 7 assists and scored 12 points, while Rae Burrell chipped in 14 points off the bench.
For Hive, Sonia Citron led with 17 points (6-11 FG), 4 assists, and 2 blocks; Monique Billings matched her with 17 points (7-11 FG) and 6 rebounds; Ezi Magbegor contributed 12 points and 8 rebounds inside; and Kelsey Mitchell added 15 points. Key moments included Vinyl’s massive third-quarter run that turned a close game into a blowout, their 11 three-pointers (64.7%), and Hamby’s relentless interior attack that overwhelmed Hive’s defense.
Postgame Thoughts
Coach Rena Wakama rolled out the same starting lineup tonight as she did on Friday, and for much of the first half, it paid dividends; Hive stayed competitive and hung tough with Vinyl until the final minutes before the break. The energy was there early, but the momentum shifted dramatically in the second half as Vinyl’s depth and hot shooting pulled away.
That said, I’d still love to see Monique Billings, Saniya Rivers, and Kelsey Mitchell coming out punching right from the tip, combined with more frequent substitutions to keep legs fresh and energy high. In this grueling 3×3 format, with its full-court sprinting, shortened shot clock (18 seconds full possession, 12 on resets), and constant rotations, the pace can wear down starters quickly if they’re not getting timely breathers. Right now, Hive is getting outlasted at times by opponents who rotate fresher bodies effectively.
Dearica Hamby pounded them in the paint, and Saniya Rivers is a great defensive player who could have assisted with reducing Dearica’s production just as she proved in the last game she could, when she recorded 6 blocks (to include blocking Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson).
Coach Rena Wakama on the defensive takeaway:
“We gotta do a better job of adjusting when someone gets hot, just knowing where they are, and not giving them any easy looks.”
Tightening communication and awareness will be key as Hive looks to slow down hot hands in Unrivaled’s fast-paced format.
Unrivaled’s unique rules and condensed court demand constant adjustments from both players and coaches; it’s a different beast from traditional 5-on-5 or even standard FIBA 3×3, and finding that balance between continuity and rest will be key for Hive’s growth as an expansion squad.
Next Up
Next up on the schedule: Mist BC vs. Phantom BC tips off at 7:30 PM EST on Monday, January 12, followed by the nightcap Laces BC vs. Lunar Owls BC at 8:45 PM EST. All games are streaming on HBO Max, TNT, and truTV.
— Kris Chaney, Women’s Basketball Journalist
REEL Productions network 
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