JACKSONVILLE, FL – In the rubber match of the three-game series between the Jacksonville Waves (22-7) and Greensboro Groove (10-20), Jacksonville took down Greensboro 90-80 to clinch the three-game set. Shyanne Sellers led the way with 17 points while Khayla Pointer and Taylor Soule each had 16 points.
First Quarter: Jacksonville came out quick with a 10-4 lead early in the first quarter. Led by Sellers’ 8 points, the Waves ended the first on a 15-8 run to stretch their lead to 25-12.
Second Quarter: The second quarter was a hard-fought affair as Greensboro fought back to within four points halfway through the quarter. The Groove came within two a few minutes later, but the Waves took back momentum thanks to a couple of defensive steals and a key three-pointer from Madison Griggs. Jacksonville ended the first half up 45-38. Sellers had 11 points for the Waves.
Third Quarter: Just like the second quarter, Greensboro and Jacksonville battled back and forth with the Groove trimming Jacksonville’s lead, but the Waves did enough to keep them at arm’s length. The Waves got some breathing room thanks to Jasmine Walker’s late three. Entering the fourth, the Waves led Greensboro 65-54.
Fourth Quarter: The fourth quarter was much like the previous two, a back-and-forth contest as both the Waves and Groove traded baskets and blocks. Greensboro out-scored the Waves 10-9 in the first five minutes of the fourth, but Jacksonville’s lead remained in double digits at 74-64. Coming out of the media timeout, the Waves went on an 8-2 run before six unanswered Greensboro points made it a 10-point game. But again, the Waves refused to let the Groove get close. By the final buzzer, Jacksonville took the contest with a 90-80 victory.
The Waves improve to 22-7 on the year and are comfortably in first place in the UPSHOT League. Jacksonville will be in action on Thursday, August 13, in Charlotte, South Carolina, against the Crown.