Phantom Defeats vinyl in Scrappy Semi-Final of Unrivaled Basketball

By Daniel Feuerstein | March 2nd, 2026 | Brooklyn, NY.

The Unrivaled Semi-Finals have come to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, as the teams of Vinyl and Phantom are meeting each other for the right to play in the championship game against either Breeze or Mist. This was a tightly contested game, as the lead changed several times. After all four quarters were played in front of a lively crowd, Phantom spooked Vinyl with some clutch buckets as they advanced by a final score of 83-75 to reach the final.

Ke;sey Plum led all scorers with 31 points, and Tiffany Hayes was second on Phantom with 19 points. Kiki Irlafen led with 11 rebounds. Dearica Hamby led all Vinyl players and was second overall with 30 points. Rae Burrell led Vinyl players with 10 rebounds. Brittney Griner had a poor game, scoring a bucket and was 0 for 1 at the charity stripe coming off the bench.

First Half: Strong Start for Phantom, until Vinyl pulled away at the half.

Phantom began with a 5-0 run, then Vinyl started to play and kept the score line close. But Phantom was able to gain some distance with a seven-point lead. Several three’s were converted, but an amazing play from Phantom’s Azlana James, leaping up and stealing the in bounds pass and turning it into a full court press. A bounce pass to a teammate, then a backpass to Natasha Cloud, and drains the three-ball. Plum took a chance and delivered a reverse layup. That’s when Vinyl decided to turn the game around. 

They cut the deficit as Dearice Hamby and Rhyne Howard converted several three-pointers to tie the game at 37. Erica Wheeler nailed her three-pointer to take the lead at 44-41. While Tiffany Hayes did hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 44, it was Wheeler with the clock winding down, nailing her last three-pointer of the half. Phantom tried a miracle shot at the buzzer, but the ball missed the hoop and hit the backboard.

Second Half: Phantom takes advantage of missed buckets, gets the win

Vinyl took an eight-point lead with a three-pointer from Burrell, but Phantom was starting to get back into a groove as they were hungry to win the game and reach that championship final. Several times, Phantom converted shots and earned an and one multiple times. A big play occurred in the third quarter when Cloud made a big block on the pass and made an off-balanced throw, leading Hayes to the basket, and she lay it in. Kelsey Plum was a mad woman on the court, willing her side to the victory. In the fourth quarter, Phantom needed to reac hthe 82 point plateau to officially win the game.

Phantom had the game and would move on, but they missed several buckets and allowed Vinyl to hang around. They made several shots along with a hoop and a harm to make the and one. Phantom had a 78-75 lead when they finally converted their last two buckets. Plum nailed a three-pointer to officially win the game and start the celebrations to get into the final game. This was an amazing contest as both teams gave it their all.

KEY STATS:
VINYL: 28 FOR 57 FG, 9 FOR 22 3PTS, 7 FOR 9 FT
PHANTOM: 32 FOR 60 FG, 8 FOR 18 3PTS, 7 FOR 8 FT
LONGEST LEAD: VINYL EIGHT POINTS IN THE 3RD QUARTER

Bad Dawg Sports: Real reporters – Real access – No nonsense

If you want the real stuff — the context, the behind-the-scenes domino effects, and the stories that don’t fit in a headline — get on our newsletter. Only subscribers get our exclusive content, like what changed when the Laces made their fourth-quarter push, how Reese’s rebounding stabilized Rose’s defense, and why Gray’s shot profile is a playoff problem for anyone who sees them next. Dedicated coverage like this is strictly for insiders — don’t miss your chance.

This invitation to join our inner circle won’t be around forever. We’re opening the doors to the select few who want to own their place in the Bad Dawg Sports pack. For just $2 per year, you become part of our community of diehards—recognition that you’re not just following the action, you’re shaping it. Two bucks and you’re officially an insider, with an all-access season of deep coverage and no-nonsense analysis. When preseason ends, so does this chance to claim your badge of real fandom. Don’t miss your shot.