By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Complete team effort propels Storm to 92-84 win over a defiant Wings team

A full team effort from both ends of the court saw the Storm win a second consecutive game and eight in the last nine games. Five players scored in double figures in the Storm’s   92-84 win over the Dallas Wings.  Skylar  Diggins-Smith led the team with   21 points and six assists.

 Joining  Diggins-Smith in the scoring barrage was  Jewell Loyd (19 points six assists) Ezi Magbegor ( 10pts, 10 rebounds) Nnegka Ogwumike ( 17 points), and  Jordan Horston ( 10pts). They made  52.%  of their shots from the field and dished out 26 assists. The offensive efficiency of the Storm is a result of the team’s connectedness on defense.  Against the  Wings, they converted  19 Dallas turnovers into a season-high 27 points. For head coach Noelle Quinn, the team is executing good financial basketball which is leading to consistency in the team’s play.

“ The reps we are getting in games help with chemistry building which is helping us in our passing, catching, and executing the fundamentals of the game, “ said Quinn. “ When you can learn and execute  those things at a high level.”

 PRECISE BALL  MOVEMENT

 One basic fundamental the team has mastered is ball movement in transition. Once the Storm makes a defensive Storm their connectedness and understating of the game allow for precise ball movement that spreads the opponent’s defenses and finds the open shot. That ability to find the open players is the reason why the Storm can pull away from teams down the stretch.  Against the Wings, the Storm bolted to a 48-40 halftime lead and never looked back due to the precise ball movement.

CONSISTENT SCORING DOWN THE STRETCH

Despite missing two starters in Satou  Sabally and  Natasha Howard the Wings never gave up and made 9 of 17 field goals for a scorching 52.%  from the field.  Wings forward Kalani Brown was a perfect 4 for 4 from the field and led all scores with eight third-quarter points.  Despite the Wing’s exceptional shooting, the Storm lead 71-67 heading into the fourth quarter due to Diggins-Smith and Magbegors each chipping in seven points. The duo made five of eight shots

 The Wings started the fourth quarter on a five-0 run and were poised to make a late run at the Storm.

 Increased defensive pressure by the Storm harassed the Wings into making careless mistakes which the Storm converted into a 9-0 run that sealed the game.  The Storm harassed the  Stars into making just 8 of 20 shots in the fourth quarter while making  8 of their 15-shot attempts.

POSTGAME NOTES

  • donations, for a total donation of $13,000.
STORM HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Seattle improves to 9-4, marking the sixth time in franchise history the team has started a season with at least nine wins in its first 13 games. The Storm went on to win the WNBA Title in four of those previous five seasons.
  • Ezi Magbegor recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.She also added a season-high four steals and two blocks to extend her streak with 2+ blocks to 14. She is tied for the 4th longest streak in WNBA history for games with 2+ blocks (14 games).
  • Skylar Diggins-Smith recorded 21 points for her fourth 20+ point game of the season and 101st of her career. She has the second most 20+ point and 5+ assist games in WNBA history with 64.
  • Nneka Ogwumike recorded 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting and six rebounds, her ninth game shooting above 50% this season as she leads the league with a 59.8 FG%.
  • Jewell Loyd finished with 19 points, six assists, and a season-high four steals. She has recorded 10+ points in 54 straight games, the longest active streak, and tied with Lisa Leslie for the eighth-longest in WNBA history.
  • Jordan Horston came off the bench to score 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting, scoring in double-figures for the second time in her sophomore campaign.
WINGS HIGHLIGHTS:

NEXT GAME:

  • The Storm travels to Phoenix for a matchup with the Mercury on Sunday, June 16 at 12 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on ABC.

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