By Wyatt Yearout
In the final game of its five-game home stand, the Seattle Storm defeated the Indiana Fever by a final margin of 72-63 to improve to 9-4 on the season.
Jewell Loyd led the way for the Storm with 25 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Seattle held the Fever to just 34.7 percent shooting for the game while the Storm knocked down 29 shots on 49.1 percent shooting.
DEFINING MOMENTS
After leading 37-30 at half, Seattle opened up the third period very aggressive and shot 50 percent from the field while limiting the Fever to just 25 percent for the quarter. Seattle’s strong third period helped stretch its lead to double digits and take a 56-44 advantage into the fourth.
The Storm maintained its hot shooting in the final period, putting in seven field goals on 50 percent shooting in the frame. Seattle’s strong defense held the Fever to just 63 points for the game, marking a season-low in points allowed and leading the Storm to a nine-point victory.
HUGHES’ TAKE
Although Seattle had a strong shooting performance, head coach Dan Hughes felt that defense was the biggest factor in the victory.
“When I was watching the game, it gave me great confidence because I kind of knew where people were going to be. They stayed in plays, I saw them execute, and that gives you such confidence as a coach when you see your team making those types of rotations and staying in plays. It was to me, the best defensive game we’ve had all year.”
NOTES
- Natasha Howard just missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. She also tied a season-high with four blocks, which she achieved earlier this season on 5/25 vs. Chicago.
- Sue Bird dished out five or more assists for the eighth time this season. She also recorded a season-high three steals.
- Breanna Stewart tied a season-high with three steals, all of which came in the first half.
- Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis collected two-straight starts for the first time in her career. She finished with five points and three rebounds.
- At the 9:13 mark of the second quarter, Courtney Paris collected her 100th-career steal.
- Howard earned career-assist No. 100 with 6:50 left to play in the first quarter on a pass to Loyd.
- Seattle committed just nine fouls tonight, which ties for third-fewest all time in franchise history (9 at PHO, 6/22/01; 9 vs. SAC, 8/25/03).
- The Storm played without Alysha Clark (right ankle) for the second-straight game.
- Bird tied a career-high for blocks on the evening with two, marking the fifth time in her career she’s recorded two blocks.
UP NEXT
Seattle will hit the road for the first time in five games for its next matchup with the Dallas Wings. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m./PT.