JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville Waves ended the inaugural UPSHOT League season in the same fashion in which they started it, with a heartbreaking home loss to the Charlotte Crown. Despite holding an eight-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, the Waves fell to Charlotte 81-76 at Campione Law Court at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on Saturday night.
First Quarter: With crowd momentum in their favor, the Waves stuck early, jumping out to a 5-2 lead, but the Crown quickly countered with a quick run of their own that resulted in a 9-8 lead. Jacksonville took the lead back late in the first, but the three-point shooting by Charlotte kept the game tight. By the end of the first quarter, Jacksonville held a slim 20-17 lead.
Second Quarter: The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair as the Waves fought to hold their lead while the Crown tried to chip ever closer. Jacksonville held on through a combination of key defensive rebounds and steals coupled with opportunistic shooting. By the end of the half, Jacksonville’s lead remained at six (36-30) over Charlotte.
Third Quarter: The Waves shot out of half-time with an 8-0 run in the opening two minutes. But eight unanswered points for the Crown pulled the game back to a six-point contest midway through the third. League MVP Ariel Hearn uncorked a quick three-point shot for the Waves from out of the timeout that sparked her team and the VyStar crowd. Jacksonville led 57-49 at the conclusion of the third.
Fourth Quarter: Charlotte opened the scoring of the quarter and went on a 15-4 run to open the fourth and lead the Waves 62-61. Every possession became critical as the Waves and Crown traded buckets back and forth down the stretch. With three minutes left, Charlotte led the Waves 72-68. With time winding down, a late three by Charlotte put them up by six with under two minutes remaining. Jacksonville, trailing 77-73 with 64 seconds left, saw Rennia Davis drain a long three to pull the Waves within one. Charlotte’s Deja Kelly, who only had 13 points in the first half, was the lynchpin for Charlotte second half with 16 points, including two critical free throws to re-establish the three-point Crown lead. In the closing seconds, the Waves came up short on back-to-back three-point attempts to tie the game. By the final buzzer the Charlotte Crown had completed the completed the eight point comeback, to clinch the first-ever UPSHOT League Championship. Kelly finished with 29 points and six rebounds for the Crown and was named the championship MVP.
About the Jacksonville Waves
The Jacksonville Waves are a professional women’s basketball team based in Jacksonville, Florida, and is a founding member of the new UPSHOT League which began play this May. The franchise’s identity—is inspired by Jacksonville’s coastal geography and the historic legacy of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville Waves are committed to providing a professional platform for elite athletes while fostering a fun family environment and enjoyable game day experience. The Waves play their home games at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. For ticket packages and information call 904-602-7825, or visit www.wavesupshot.com
About the UPSHOT League
The UPSHOT League is a premier women’s professional basketball league headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Owned and operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, the league is built on four core pillars—UPlift, UPward, UPend, and UProar—aiming to create meaningful pathways for athletes and strengthen the communities they serve. The league’s “Founding Four” teams include the Jacksonville Waves, Savannah Steel, Charlotte Crown and Greensboro Groove. The Cities of Baltimore and Nashville are expected to start in 2027.