Second Quarter run by Connecticut too much for Seattle to overcome
SEATTLE – Seattle got off to a strong start, but the Connecticut Sun used a big second quarter run to ultimately outshine the Storm, 81-69, on Tuesday afternoon.
Seattle was determined to build on Saturday’s win against Phoenix and pick up its second-consecutive victory, this time on its home floor for Kids Day. However, Connecticut had other plans in store.
In front of 10,212 fans—the Storm’s third largest crowd of the 2023 season—Seattle got off to a hot start against Connecticut’s powerhouse lineup in the first quarter and trailed the Sun 21-20 after one quarter. But the Sun came out strong in the second quarter, outscoring the Storm 29-14 in the period and leading comfortably at 50-34 at the half.
The Storm struck back midway through the third quarter, using went on a 10-0 run to trim the Sun’s lead to 14. However, Connecticut answered back and pulled ahead for good.
Turnovers were a weak link for the Storm, as the Sun forced 17 turnovers and logged 23 points off of those miscues while Seattle tallied 13 points of 12 Connecticut turnovers.
Off the glass, Seattle outrebounded its opponent 40-34 including a 13-11 edge on the offensive glass. However, the Sun collected 13 second-chance points to the Storm’s seven.
Jewell Loyd and Sami Whitcomb led the Storm’s balanced scoring with 11 points each, while Ezi Magbegortallied 10 points along with six rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu scored eight points while adding 12 rebounds and a block.
Loyd recorded her 4,500th career point in the game and is the 20th player in the WNBA to rack up 4,500+ points, 950+ rebounds, 875+ assists, and 325+ steals. Of those 20, Loyd is the second youngest player to hit that milestone behind Maya Moore.
Seattle returns to action on Thursday, hosting the Atlanta Dream on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.