Rickea Jackson returned to the Unrivaled basketball league for Breeze BC on Saturday night, leading her team to a 77-56 victory over Vinyl after missing time to handle a serious personal matter. Jackson missed the last two weeks of Unrivaled play, including the league’s  1-on-1 Tournament and a regular-season game, following an alleged domestic violence dispute involving her ex-boyfriend, Atlanta Falcons pass rusher James Pearce Jr. Pearce was arrested on Feb. 7, and faces five felony charges after allegedly chasing Jackson in his vehicle as she attempted to reach a police station.

Jackson’s decision to step away from Unrivaled came as she prioritized her safety and legal proceedings following the incident with Pearce. Her attorneys said in a Feb. 10 court filing that she is willing to testify against Pearce if the charges against him proceed to trial. After taking the necessary time away from the spotlight, the forward rejoined the starting lineup and appeared in rhythm from the opening tip. She shot 9-for-18 from the field, contributing three assists and three steals to a defensive effort that stifled Vinyl throughout the evening.

Jackson made her presence felt early in the first quarter. At the 2:56 mark, she knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game at 10, followed immediately by a pull-up jumper. Her aggressive play on the perimeter allowed her to defend multiple positions, preventing Vinyl from establishing a consistent offensive flow.

By halftime, Jackson had established herself as the primary engine for the Breeze offense.The game was ultimately decided in the fourth quarter, where Breeze orchestrated an 11-2 run to seal the win. Jackson finished with a team-high 22 points. The victory brings Breeze to a 6-6 record, placing them fourth in the Unrivaled standings..

Breeze BC now prepares to face Mist BC on Monday and Laces BC on Friday. Both teams sit directly ahead of them in the standings. With Jackson back in the rotation, the team remains in a strong position to secure a postseason berth.