By Wyatt Yearout
The Seattle Storm dropped its first contest in the last six games, falling 100-77 to the Washington Mystics in a Thursday matinee.
Jewell Loyd and Natasha Howard each posted 15 points to lead the way for the Storm.
Elena Delle Donne posted a game-high 30 points for the Mystics.
DEFINING MOMENTS
Washington closed out the first period outscoring the Storm 19-6, allowing the Mystics to take a 13-point advantage after one at 31-18. The Mystics continued to be aggressive on the offensive end in the second period, extending the lead to 20 points multiple times in the quarter.
The Mystics kept their foot on the gas pedal in the second half, at one point stretching the lead to 27 points. Seattle’s bench helped the Storm chip away in the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to just 14 points with five minutes remaining. However, the run proved to be too little, too late, as Washington was able to extend its edge back over 20 points late in the fourth and secure the victory.
HUGHES’ TAKE
Head coach Dan Hughes thought the game really came down to Washington’s ability to make shots, as the Mystics shot 58 percent.
“You have got to give them credit for playing well. They made shots early then they got into the paint with us, you’ve got to give them credit.”
NOTES
- Guard Sue Bird recorded 4 assists. She now has 211 assists on the season, needing 10 to match her career-best (221) for a single season and 25 to match the all-time record (236) held by Ticha Penicheiro. To catch Penicherio, she would need to average 8.3 assists down the stretch.
- With 10 points today, Breanna Stewart, who has scored 688 points this season, now needs to average 17.0 PPG over Seattle’s remaining 3 regular-season games to match the franchise’s single-season scoring record, currently held by Lauren Jackson (739 points, 2007).
- Seattle, who entered today giving up an average of just 79.7 points to opponents in 2018, allowed the Mystics to hit the century mark, the first time an opponent has poured in 100 points against the Storm this season.
- Rookie guard Jordin Canada recorded a game-high 3 steals, her third game of her WNBA career with 3+ steals.
- Despite the loss, Seattle still takes the season series over the Mystics, 2-1.
UP NEXT
Seattle closes out its four-game road trip at Minnesota on Sunday at the Target Center. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m./PT.