Paige Bueckers' Dominance Falls Short as Cameron Brink, Breeze Suffer Loss to Kelsey Mitchell, Hive
In a thrilling showdown, Paige Bueckers showcased her prowess with 28 points, but her Breeze squad narrowly lost to the Hive in Miami, 70-68. The game's outcome hinged on a dramatic comeback by Hive, who trailed by 15 points in the third quarter.
Sonia Citron's clutch layup sealed the deal for Hive, who improved to 3-7 in league play. The Breeze, led by Bueckers, dropped to 5-5. The Hive's resilience was remarkable, as they erased a 15-point deficit, trailing 46-31 with 6:42 left in the third quarter, and went on a 14-0 run, with Citron contributing nine of her 17 points during this stretch.
The teams traded blows from there. Breeze took a 57-51 lead late in the third, but Hive responded with a 9-2 run, taking a 60-59 edge. The game tightened to a one-possession contest for the remainder of the evening.
With an Elam Ending target score of 70 in the fourth quarter, Cameron Brink's layup tied the game at 68. However, Citron's decisive shot on Hive's next possession secured the victory. Kelsey Mitchell led Hive with 22 points, while Monique Billings dominated with a 15-point, 17-rebound double-double, including two blocks and two steals.
Bueckers' stellar performance included 28 points on 13-of-23 shooting, leading all scorers. She also contributed seven rebounds and five assists. Her teammate, Rickea Jackson, added 15 points. Bueckers' impressive averages of 25.0 points, 6.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game across 10 contests highlight her exceptional talent.
As the season progresses, Bueckers and the Breeze aim to surpass the .500 mark when they face the 2-7 Lunar Owls on February 17. The Hive, meanwhile, will take on the top-ranked Laces (7-2) on the same day, setting the stage for another exciting showdown.
