Jewell Loyd scored 18 of her 31 factors within the first half because the Seattle Storm prevented being swept within the season sequence by the Minnesota Lynx with Sunday’s 88-74 victory at Minneapolis.
Loyd, who entered averaging a league-leading 23.8 factors, was held to fifteen throughout Seattle’s 78-70 house loss to the Lynx (15-17) on Friday. Nevertheless, she scored 14 factors within the second quarter Sunday and completed 10-of-25 general and 5-of-10 from 3-point vary because the Storm (10-22) received for the primary time in 4 conferences in opposition to Minnesota this season.
Kayla McBride had 18 factors and Napheesa Collier added 14, however solely two within the second half, with 9 rebounds for Minnesota, which shot simply 35.3 p.c from the sector.
Seattle led 47-40 at halftime, then scored the primary six factors of the third quarter. The Storm went on to attain 10 of the primary 12 within the interval, with eight coming through Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, for a 57-42 benefit.
Nevertheless, Seattle failed to attain on 11 straight possessions and Minnesota registered eight factors throughout that stretch to get inside 57-50 with 1:51 remaining within the third. However Mercedes Russell’s basket ended the Storm’s drought, Loyd hit two free throws and Kia Nurse knocked down a 3 to place them forward 64-50, and ultimately lead by 12 getting into the fourth quarter.
Loyd added 11 extra factors within the fourth for the Storm, who went 10-of-26 from past the arc.
Nurse’s 3 within the last seconds of the primary quarter gave Seattle a 21-15 edge after one. The Storm scored the primary 4 factors of the second quarter to guide by 10. Nevertheless, 5 straight factors from McBride highlighted a 7-0 Minnesota run to make it a two-point sport, and the Lynx ultimately led 34-33 thanks to 5 straight made free throws.
Then Loyd took over.
She hit a pair of 3s throughout an 8-0 Storm surge that put them up 5. Loyd hit one other 3 with 31 seconds remaining within the half to place Seattle up by seven on the break.
Mendjiadeu completed with 15 rebounds whereas teammate Ezi Magbegor scored 12.
—Area Degree Media
