Loyd ties WNBA record with nine three-pointers, finishes with 39 points in tough defeat

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Just when it looked like the game’s fate was clear, the league’s leading scorer, Jewell Loyd erupted for 18 points in the fourth quarter, trimming a 25-point edge down to six and putting a Storm comeback back in sight.

But Loyd’s three-point scoring party wasn’t enough, and the Mystics pulled ahead for good in the final few minutes, claiming a 93-86 victory in the nation’s capital on Tuesday evening.

Loyd tied a WNBA record with nine three-pointers in the game and finished with 39 points. Of the nine times a WNBA player has scored 39 or more points in a game this season, Loyd has tallied three of those.

Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu continued to shine in her second WNBA start. The rookie got into a rhythm early on, propelling the Storm with 12 points and 11 rebounds, her second consecutive double-double, becoming just the third Storm record to collect double-doubles in consecutive games, joining Seattle greats Lauren Jackson and Breanna Stewart.

Gabby Williams returned to the floor for her second season in Storm colors. In her first 2023 season appearance, Williams eased back into the game and recorded a pair of rebounds, assists and one steal during her 20 minutes on the floor.

All-Star reserve Ezi Magbegor contributed 12 points and nine rebounds throughout the matchup while fellow Aussie Jade Melbourne came alive in the second half notching a total eight points, three assists and a career and game-high four steals.

Seattle got off to a hot start in the first quarter, something the Storm’s struggled with in its past few contests. However, the Mystics answered, and clawed its way back in the second quarter. The Storm responded with a 27-11 run connecting the third and fourth quarters but couldn’t seem to tie it back up.

Washington’s injuries continued to pile up once Mystics starter Ariel Atkins tweaked her ankle late in the second quarter. The starter’s second quarter injury left Washington with eight available players in the absence of those already injured. Even with its shortened lineup, Washington capitalized on Seattle’s miscues, collecting 20 total points off Storm turnovers and ultimately emerging victorious.