Chelsea Gray’s Clutch & Angel Reese’s Punch in W Over Laces
The Rose basketball club proved that they are not only here to bloom—their club is here to thrive.
No matter the circumstance, no matter the condition, this Rose is growing through concrete. Their latest victory came in a grind-out, hard-fought 58-53 win over the Laces.
The leader of the show was none other than star point guard Chelsea Gray. Throughout Unrivaled, Gray has reminded people that when discussing the best point guards in the game, her name should be mentioned. Gray’s steady hand and clutch shooting guided the stem, pouring in 26 points and hitting yet another game-winning shot.
Meanwhile, superstar Angel Reese almost had another 20/20 performance. Reese dominated the game with 16 points and 17 rebounds. The two led the Rose and helped them blossom after a slow start to secure their seventh win of the season and a playoff berth. The Rose are now the second-best team in the league.
To start the game, the Rose looked like they might wither under the Laces’ early defensive storm. The team struggled early, falling behind 11-2 early in the second quarter. But just like a flower pushing through the pavement, they didn’t just survive—they found a way to flourish.
“That second quarter, a lot of people… we called a timeout, we were down 11-2. We came back and tied the game. That group in that second quarter… kind of turned the game around and the energy for us.” – Chelsea Gray
Gray had herself another great game as she also dished out 7 assists and snagged 4 steals, emphasizing the importance of this team staying steady. “Can’t get too high, can’t get too low. Gotta stay steady,” she said. “We’ve been able to do that, and put some wins behind us.”
Additionally, Angel Reese’s growth as a player has been undeniable, like a bud turning into full bloom. The rookie forward, who’s entering her second year in professional basketball, looks more like a seasoned veteran. Reese once again controlled the glass and made her presence felt on both ends of the floor.
Each game, she keeps proving that her roots in this league are already running deep. Gray, the seasoned veteran, praised Reese’s continued rise.
@moreausports Chelsea Gray in the post game press conference gave praise to the growth of Angel Reese’s game. Reese finished the game almost with another 20/20 game with 17 points and 16 rebounds.
“She’s been putting extra time, extra work in, and it’s showing. You’re seeing her growth throughout the course of this season—offensively and defensively. We’re getting a front-row seat to that growth.” – Chelsea Gray
For the Laces, it was another thorn in their side during a tough season. Alyssa Thomas finished the game almost recording a triple-double with 12 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists. Thomas acknowledged the frustration but kept her head high.
“I think it’s no different than a W season. Losing is never fun, no matter what team you’re on. But at the end of the day, we’re good.” – Alyssa Thomas
Head coach Andrew Wade also echoed Thomas’ sentiments. Wade highlighted the competitive nature of the Laces squad. “We’re all super competitive people,” Wade said. “Inherently, it’s who they are as players. We know it sucks to lose, no matter where we are.”
What this means, though, is that the Rose continue to prove that pressure only makes them grow stronger. Head coach Nola Henry praised her team’s resilience, knowing that their ability to weather adversity makes them all the more dangerous.
“This group has responded all year long. No surprises there. Just a really gutty win from this group.” – Nola Henry
Henry also mentioned how much she has enjoyed coaching this team, adding, “Being blessed to coach such a fun group.”
With the victory, the Rose have solidified their playoff spot, while the Laces fall to 5-7. If this season has shown anything, it’s that no matter the conditions, the Rose will continue to rise—petal by petal, win by win.
As Gray put it, “We’ve been able to stay steady, and that’s what matters.”
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