By Wyatt Yearout
The Seattle Storm dropped the first of five straight games at home as they fell to the Atlanta Dream by a final score of 67-64.
Natasha Howard led the way for Seattle with 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds.
Jewell Loyd chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds for the Storm as well.
DEFINING MOMENTS
After battling from behind for the majority of the game, Seattle cut the lead to just two points at 43-41 with 4:05 left in the third period. Atlanta then went on an 11-2 run to extend its lead to nine points entering the fourth quarter.
A 10-0 run from the Storm trimmed the lead to just two points at 58-56 with 4:34 remaining in the game. Both teams traded buckets for the next minute until a Loyd three-pointer gave Seattle its first lead since of the second half at 61-60.
Atlanta answered Loyd’s three with a 6-0 run to reclaim the lead at 66-61 with 31 seconds remaining.
Breanna Stewart then converted on a bucket plus the foul with 24 seconds left to cut the lead back to two points at 66-64.
The Storm fouled Damiris Dantas at the 19-second mark and she split the pair, giving Seattle the ball down three with a chance to tie the game. Seattle was unable to convert in the final moments, eventually falling by three.
HUGHES’ TAKE
Head coach Dan Hughes noted that the inability to get into a rhythm on the offensive end was probably the biggest factor in the game for Seattle, specifically the finishing ability around the rim.
“We had some good looks. It was one of those days, even free throw wise, we didn’t finish, so it put a lot of stress on the system.”
NOTES
- Stewart registered 12 points despite seeing a career-low 20 minutes of action due to foul trouble. Seattle outscored Atlanta by eight while Stewart was on the court. Her previous low in minutes was 22 on 6/27/17 at Washington.
- At the 7:36 mark of the second quarter, Howard notched her 100th career block. She now has 17 this season, just 10 shy of tying her career-high for a campaign.
- Howard attempted a career-high 17 field goals. Her previous high was 16 (achieved twice).
- Loyd started her 100th career game.
- Seattle outrebounded Atlanta for the first time since 9/4/16, owning a 44-36 edge on the glass.
- The Storm dropped to 9-4 all-time vs. the Dream at KeyArena. Seattle has taken five of the last seven meetings in the Emerald City.
UP NEXT
Seattle will play game two of its five-game home stand on Tuesday against the Chicago Sky, with tip-off set for 7 p.m./PT.