Storm (2-7) vs. Tulsa (8-1)

KeyArena | Seattle, Wash.

June 30, 2015 | 7 p.m.

Broadcast: Live Access, Justice, CST

 

2015 vs. Tulsa: 0-2

Last meeting: L 93-89 (June 28, 2015)

Leading scorers: Jewell Loyd, Ramu Tokashiki 21

 

After dropping three heartbreaking games in a row, the Storm will look to snap its five-game skid when it takes on Tulsa for the second time in three days at KeyArena on Tuesday.

The game will mark the Storm’s third game in four days and be the only home game during this current six-game stretch.

WHO TO WATCH: Jewell Loyd

Jewell Loyd found a rhythm early against Tulsa and carried that into the second half as she scored 11 of her career-high 21 points in the third quarter. She was able to get to the basket at will and finished 7-for-12 from the field and hit all six of her free throws. This breakout game could be a sign of things to come. Her previous career-high was 10.

LAST TIME VS. TULSA

Tulsa and Seattle saw the lead change 21 times on Sunday but a late shot from Karima Christmas was the difference as the Shock won 93-89. Seattle had four players in double figures, led by Jewell Loyd and Ramu Tokashiki with 21 apiece. Tulsa guard Skylar Diggins scored a game-high 31 points on 10-for-20 from the field. Crystal Langhorne scored 10 of her 14 points in the first quarter.

SO, SO CLOSE

The Storm has seen each of its last three games come down to the wire but have ended on the wrong end of the decisions. Seattle has dropped the last three games by a combined total of nine points and have lost its last four by a combined 21 points (5.2 points/game). The youthful team has closed the gap and appears only a step away from turning these close losses into wins.

GETTING OFF TO GOOD STARTS

Seattle has jumped out of the gates strong the past three games and is averaging 44.3 points in the first half during that stretch. Additionally, the team is shooting 53.8 percent and has tallied 33 total assists during the first half over the last three games.

SUE PASSES SHERYL

With her three pointer late in the fourth quarter on Thursday, Sue Bird eclipsed Sheryl Swoopes for 13th on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list. She has averaged 15 points in her two games this week and now sits at 4,890. The next two on the list are Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who finished with 5,013 points, and Tangela Smith with 5,048.

‘THE BENCH MOB’

The bench continues to impress in the early part of the season and has been a difference maker all year. In fact, the bench carried the way on Sunday as it poured out a league-high 54 points, which included a career-high 21 points from both Ramu Tokashiki and Jewell Loyd. Entering Tuesday, has averaged 27.8 points through the first nine games, which is second best in the league.

SCOUTING TULSA

Now having played Tulsa twice, the continuing challenge is containing Skylar Diggins. She is averaging 21 points over the two games and had a season-high 31 on Sunday, 21 of which came in the first half. Second chance points also crushed Seattle as Tulsa grabbed 11 offensive rebounds and scored 12 points off those boards.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Ride the hot hand. The Storm have seemingly had someone different step up big each night through this tough stretch and riding that person appears to be the way to go in these close games. Ramu Tokashiki, who was tied with a team-high 21 points on Sunday, scored the game-tying basket with 32 seconds left.