Lexie Hull and the Rose fall to 0-2 on the season, defeated by Lunar Owls

Game 1 of the afternoon between the Laces and Phantom had a slow start, but that was not the case for Game 2. The Lunar Owls and Rose combined for 50 first period points, seeing eight of the 11 total players on the court score. Both teams were taking great shots as well, both shooting over 62% from the floor.

The Owls duo of Napheesa Collier and Allisha Gray were the X-factors, combining for 23 points of the Owls' 29 points. Lunar Owls led after seven minutes, 29-21.

Collier and Gray continued to control the game and lead the Lunar Owls to a 10-point lead in the second quarter. While Rose's Kahleah Copper dropped six points in the period, doing everything she could to give her team a spark, the Owls' ball movement was elite. With Skylar Diggins-Smith at the helm, the Lunar Owls continued to find open shooters on the perimeter and punish overcommitted defenders on the drive.

The Lunar Owls led the Rose at halftime, 49-39. Collier, at the half, led all scorers with 23 points.

Sensing the importance of the third quarter, the Rose mounted their comeback in the third quarter behind Chelsea Gray. The Point Gawd had a slow start, but recorded seven points and three assists in the third quarter. Her performance was highlighted by an over-the-head, no-look pass to Azurá Stevens.

The Owls set the winning score at 79, leading the Rose 68-62.

Rose guard Lexie Hull did not play much in this one, as it started to get close down the stretch. She was the only player of the 11 who played who was held scoreless.

The Rose did not shoot well in the final frame and got into trouble on defense, allowing Napheesa Collier to put it out of reach. The league co-founder finished with 31 points, six rebounds, and four assissts, a solid performance.

For the second time in two days, Skylar Diggins-Smith called game with a walkoff bucket. She hit the free throw at the end, giving the Owls a 79-70 win. Diggins-Smith scored all nine of her points in the second half.

The Rose falls to 0-2 on the season, despite seeing five players score in double figures. They will get a full week off to figure things out, next in action against the Mist on January 25.

The Lunar Owls now have a target on their backs, as this squad looks the most well-rounded. They next play after the Rose, taking on the Phantom in Game 2.