In late January, Unrivaled, the 3×3 women’s basketball league, created history in several ways.
Connecticut Sun’s own, as well as Unrivaled veteran, Marina Mabrey, was one of the many contributions to this historical game. The guard scored 47 points in the matchup that took place on Jan. 30, an all-time single-game scoring record for the league.
A Philly Takeover
Mabrey showed up and showed out not just for herself, but for an amazing night for women’s sports. In just its second year, Unrivaled was able to leave its commonly used Sephora Arena in Miami to head north.
For the first time, Unrivaled hosted its double-header of Lunar Owls vs. Rose and Phantom vs. Breeze at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA. In total, 21,490 people were in attendance, making it the highest attendance in the history of women’s basketball – in both the WNBA and in Unrivaled.
Although Xfinity Mobile Arena is also home to the NBA’s 76ers and the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, women’s basketball is what set the attendance record for the history of the arena. While it was a huge night altogether for women’s sports, it was an even bigger night for Mabrey to perform arguably the best game of her life.
How Marina Mabrey Showed Up and Showed Out
It didn’t take Marina Mabrey long to create a stellar impression — she hit four consecutive three-point shots in just the first quarter alone. In that seven-minute quarter, Mabrey racked up 27 points. She continued that energy by finishing out the second quarter with a step-back three-point shot. That’s 30 points in 14 minutes.
Mabrey’s point total throughout the night was only getting higher and higher, gathering up 10 in the third quarter from a combination of three-point shots and scoring from inside the paint. Unrivaled has truly been a league for the players and has really showcased the skillset of well-rounded ones like Marina Mabrey.
By the end of the third quarter, the Lunar Owls were taking over in Philly, leading the Rose with a score of 73-60. Only 11 points to go to take home the win, and who scored the game-winner? None other than Mabrey herself, finishing out the night with 47 points.
Forty-seven points in 21 minutes. A game of a lifetime in front of a crowd of over 21,000.
All Eyes on the Women
These are the types of nights that make people turn their heads to women’s sports, if they aren’t already pointed in that direction. Bringing in tens of thousands of people to an arena for a women’s basketball league’s second season is already an accomplishment. Facing that pressure, Mabrey knew what she had to do and did it.
Time and time again, there are arguments about whether or not women’s sports are worth watching, or whether or not the players deserve to be paid. By competing in one of the biggest sports cities in the country, along with showcasing with the highest skillset of her career, Mabrey transformed into a huge reason for people to keep their eyes on Unrivaled.
Marina Mabrey’s Competitive Fire
Now this epic performance didn’t come from just anywhere; rather, it was a response. Recently on Sue Bird’s podcast, Bird’s Eye View, Mabrey revealed that she was tired of the disrespect towards the Lunar Owls as a result of their record so far this season. The club currently stands as the lowest-ranked out of all eight basketball clubs in Unrivaled this season.
“I don’t like that because we’re all professionals, and we’ve had a lot of injuries, and we’ve been very close in a lot of instances. Our record doesn’t reflect that. We’re not as bad as our record is by any means whatsoever. So, to disrespect us like that and the work and the time that we’ve put in, that kind of hit me a little bit,” Mabrey said on the podcast.
What was originally disrespect coming from social media towards the club’s recent performances is what brought out the competitive fire of Mabrey. Fans know the point guard for her technical fouls in both Unrivaled and the WNBA, and know that she is not afraid to put up a fight when she feels one is necessary.
With not much time left in the season, the reality of the Lunar Owls making the playoffs has been put to rest. Still, performances like Mabrey’s are what will continue to draw eyes to Unrivaled and the game of women’s basketball.
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