Natisha Hiedeman notches career high in points, but Storm can’t get it done in Washington

Natisha Hiedeman scored a career-high 31 points, but the visiting Seattle Storm fell to the Washington Mystics 84-79 on Sunday. Hiedeman hustled in the paint and made a driving layup to surpass her previous record of 26 points at 9:08 in the third quarter, before adding four more in the final frame. She also contributed three steals.

MALONGA CONTINUES DOUBLE-DOUBLE OUTPUT

Dominique Malonga chipped in with a double-double, recording 10 points and 15 rebounds, a new career high. Awa Fam added nine rebounds, notching 100 in her career.

Seattle (6-19) dropped it’s second consecutive game and is now 0-18 when rookie Flau’jae Johnson records fewer than 16 points, while her nine points, seven rebounds, and four steals against Washington were far from disappointing.  Ezi Magbegor (facial injury) and Taina Mair (coach’s decision) were sidelined for the Storm.

EARLY FIRST QUARTER LEAD

The teams traded baskets throughout the first quarter, but Hiedeman’s 11 points and two assists helped Seattle jump ahead 24-18 after the opening frame. The veteran guard also added two of the Storm’s five steals in the opening 10 minutes, which set a team high for the most in a quarter this season. Fam’s inbound turnover at 3:18 proved to be costly, as it led to a four-point play from Shakira Austin, followed by a layup from Kiki Iriafen to help the Mystics (11-10) pull within one.

Washington took the lead with just over four minutes remaining on Cassandre Prosper’s three-pointer, giving the Mystics their biggest lead of the game. Led by Johnson, Seattle regained the momentum, embarking on a 12-4 run to close out the quarter as they entered halftime with a 45-40 lead. 

CONSECUTIVE MISSED SHOOTS DOOM STORM

Despite entering the second half up by five, four consecutive missed shots to open the third quarter resulted in trouble for the Storm. The missed shots allowed the Mystics to open the quarter on a 7-0 run and retake the lead. The teams traded points until consecutive three-pointers by Fam and Hiedeman sparked Seattle’s offense, giving the visitors a 68-64 lead entering the fourth.

The Storm’s inconsistencies continued down the stretch

After Seattle’s Jordan Horston kicked off the quarter with a made shot, Washington took control, as they went on a 16-4 run over the next 4:45 to take a commanding 80-74 lead with four minutes remaining. Fam, Johnson, and Malonga scored for the Storm as they cut the lead to three with 51 seconds remaining.

However, following Horston’s personal foul on Sonia Citron 34 seconds later, the Mystics star guard knocked down both free throws to extend the lead to five and seal the game.

Seattle will look to bounce back on Wednesday when they take on the Chicago Sky in the fourth of their five-game road trip.