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A Rush of Offense in AU Pro Basketball Doubleheader

Originally posted on Beyond Women's Sports
By LaDarius Brown | Last updated Feb 28, 2026 6:58 PM ET

As Season Five of the AU Pro Basketball season nears its conclusion, the action is picking up in Nashville. Looking at the leaderboard, Odyssey Sims is in pole position as the Indiana Fever guard looks to win it all for the first time. However, the competition is tough thanks to many great efforts in this doubleheader. That being said, here is a recap of Games 21 and 22 in Week Four.

Game 21: Eclipse Vs. Glow

Here, Las Vegas Aces guard Kierstan Bell and the Eclipse faced guard Rebekah Gardner of the New York Liberty and the Glow. At the end of the first quarter, it was all Eclipse as they held a commanding 26 – 9 lead over the Glow. Guard Sarah Ashlee Barker of the Los Angeles Sparks led all scorers in the quarter with 12 points for the Eclipse. For the Glow, Gardner scored four of the team’s nine points.

In quarter number two, the Glow’s offense shined with 29 points to the Eclipse’s 24. Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison accounted for 14 of Glow’s 29 points as guard Zia Cooke had seven in the quarter. Bell led the Eclipse in the quarter with six points. Going into the half, the Eclipse still held a lead over the Glow 50 – 38.

The third quarter saw just a combined 37 points as the Eclipse edged the Glow by a 20 – 17 margin. For the Eclipse, Aces forward NaLyssa Smith scored eight points in the quarter. Also, guard Aaliyah Nye of the Aces scored six points for the Eclipse.

Center/forward Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury led the Glow with seven points in the quarter. Entering the fourth quarter, the lead for the Eclipse was now 70 – 55 versus the Glow.

Although the Glow outscored the Eclipse in the fourth quarter, it was not enough. Ultimately, the Eclipse won by a 92 – 78 score, their first win of the week.

Eclipse Vs. Glow Recap

To begin, Barker won MVP 1 honors as she got her second consecutive 20-point game with 24 points. What’s more, she shot 71.4 percent from the field while grabbing seven rebounds and six assists in the Eclipse victory. Smith took home MVP 3 honors as she scored 15 points while Sparks guard Emma Cannon had 11 points with nine boards. Lastly, Kelly put up 10 points in 14 minutes in action.

Shifting to the Glow, Harrison led the team with 22 points along with seven rebounds as she won MVP 2 honors. Cooke scored 19 points with seven rebounds while Mack got herself a double-double with 13 points and boards. It’s important to note Mack leads all of AU Pro Basketball with seven double-doubles. Additionally, Sun guard Bria Hartley put up 12 points as Gardner had 10.

Game 22: Rhythm Vs. Gold Rush

In a high-scoring matchup, Sun center Tina Charles and the Rhythm played Sims and the Gold Rush. Both squads lit up the scoreboard in the first quarter as the Rhythm took a 30 – 23 lead against the Gold Rush.

Looking at the Rhythm, forward Alysha Clark of the Washington Mystics and Sparks forward Alissa Pili each scored seven points in the quarter. Forward Aneesah Morrow of the Sun led the way scoring-wise for the Gold Rush with 12 points as Sims put up six in the quarter.

The second quarter saw each team score 25 points in the quarter. Charles and center Mercedes Russell each had seven points in the quarter for the Rhythm. Sims scored nine points as Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins and Aces center Kiah Stokes added six points for the Gold Rush. At halftime, the Rhythm maintained its lead over Gold Rush with a 55 – 48 score.

Overtime for Rhythm Vs. Gold Rush

Down by two with 18 seconds remaining in overtime, Sims drained two free throws and sent this game to another overtime. Jaylyn Sherrod of the Minnesota Lynx gave the Rhythm a 109 – 106 lead with 4:01 left in the second overtime.

However, Sims tied it for the Gold Rush thanks to a three-pointer with 3:44 remaining. In the end, Sims would scored the eventual game-winner from the free throw line with 2:37 left. An instant classic, the Gold Rush won it 110 – 109.

Rhythm Vs. Gold Rush Recap

All things considered, Sims earned MVP 1 honors with 44 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Overall, it was her third 40-point game in AU Pro Basketball, the most all-time in the history of the league. Atkins garnered MVP 2 honors with 24 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the field. Morrow would win MVP 3 honors with 23 points and 19 rebounds, tying her own record for the most rebounds in a single game.

Clark and Charles led the scoring for the Rhythm with 22 points apiece, but Charles grabbed 12 boards with six assists. For Charles, it is her fourth double-double of the season.

Russell, as well, had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Nurse contributed 15 points with seven boards and assists. Sherrod scored in double figures with 15 points in the matchup.

This article first appeared on Beyond Women's Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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