Silver Stars-Storm Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Jun 21 2012 3:46PM

While their record leaves much to be desired, the Seattle Storm showed they're still capable of playing with the league's best last weekend.

A visit from the San Antonio Silver Stars could help them really get going.

With both teams coming off back-to-back victories for the first time this season, the Storm try to extend their home winning streak over the Silver Stars to nine Friday night.

Seattle lost seven of its first eight before defeating hapless Tulsa for the second time last Friday, 86-73. The Storm (3-7) may have turned a corner two nights later, winning 65-62 over previously undefeated Minnesota.

Seattle took a 43-29 lead into halftime before withstanding a late fourth quarter rally by the Lynx, who were limited to 37.5 percent shooting.

"I think tonight it started with our defense and being able to run with them," point guard Sue Bird said after scoring a game-high 21 points. "We generated offense from it and put them on their heels a little bit. That's really what we've been about the last couple of years."

Seattle, which has a chance to become the only team to reach the postseason nine straight times, is allowing 72.3 points per game to rank second in the league.

"We obviously want to be a great defensive team. We also want to be looked at as a team that plays together at both ends of the floor and does the little things on the floor," coach Brian Agler said.

"(The Lynx) are the best team in the league. All the teams are going to get better. We want to stay on that path."

Seattle has won by an average of 14.3 points during its home win streak over the Silver Stars (4-4), but San Antonio beat the Storm 80-67 on June 9 for its second win in the last 12 meetings.

The Silver Stars went on to defeat Los Angeles one week later, outscoring the Sparks 15-2 in overtime during Saturday's 98-85 victory. Sophia Young and Becky Hammon each had 24 points for San Antonio, which scored 30 points off Los Angeles' 19 turnovers.

"The leadership of Sophia Young was amazing," coach Dan Hughes said. "Sophia Young played with an intensity that was infectious for us. I've benefited from watching a lot of Sophia's games, but that one really showed not only her offensive end but her defensive end. She was incredibly active and really led us in this situation."

Slowing down Bird could prove key if the Silver Stars hope to make it three wins in a row. The Storm are 0-7 when Bird is held to 15 points or fewer, and she's averaging 23.0 points on 26-of-42 shooting (62.0 percent) in their wins.

Bird had a season worst-tying five points on 1-of-13 shooting versus San Antonio earlier this month.

Storm topple Silver Stars 82-76

Posted Jun 23 2012 1:36AM

SEATTLE (AP) The Seattle Storm rebounded in a big way against the San Antonio Silver Stars.

``I think in terms of frustration level and the overall vibe, that was probably the low point at San Antonio,'' Sue Bird said of Seattle's 13-point loss on June 9. ``I think collectively, we just kind of let that one go in terms of effort. But we've been on the up and up ever since.''

That trend continued Friday night when the Storm won their third consecutive game by beating San Antonio 82-76.

Tanisha Wright led Seattle with a season-high 20 points, including eight fourth-quarter free throws, and added seven assists and five rebounds.

Seattle ran plays to get Wright the ball down the stretch, knowing San Antonio would have to foul.

Wright kept making free throws, including one that initially appeared off before Wright shouted at it and it bounced in.

``Sometimes, you got to yell at it, talk to it,'' Wright said.

Wright's work late in the fourth quarter, coupled with a 15-0 run midway through the game helped Seattle fend off San Antonio.

Wright's steal and layup with 6.9 seconds remaining sealed the win for Seattle (4-7).

Bird scored 10 points and hit two free throws with 17.5 seconds remaining. Katie Smith scored 13, Camille Little 12 and Tina Thompson 12 for Seattle.

``We were sharing the ball,'' Storm coach Brian Agler said. ``Good to see our whole team being aggressive on the offensive end.''

Jia Perkins scored 20 points to lead San Antonio (4-5).

Leading scorer Sophia Young scored 16 points, despite starting the game 0 for 8 from the field. Young finished 2 for 11, but made all 12 of her free-throw attempts. Becky Hammon added 14 points.

Smith hit a 3-pointer with 1:46 remaining to put Seattle in front 69-62. Consecutive 3-pointers by Perkins kept San Antonio close late in the fourth.

``I thought we did a good job of handling their runs and coming back, we just couldn't get control of the game,'' San Antonio coach Dan Hughes said.

Bird made a wide-open 3-pointer and Ann Wauters followed with a left-handed layup in the post to increase Seattle's lead to 38-28 just 1:20 into the third quarter. San Antonio called timeout to try and stem the push. It didn't work.

Wright passed to Little for a layup and Smith hit a corner jumper to cap a 15-0 run and vault Seattle to a 41-28 lead.

``We had a hard time containing (Wright),'' Hughes said. ``She got in the lane on us and not only finished, but created plays. She was the player that kind of broke our back.''

San Antonio's Shameka Christon was fouled by Wright while shooting a 3-pointer, and her three free throws finally snapped the run. The Stars rallied to get within two following two free throws from Young midway through the quarter and were down just five at the end of the third.

The Storm and Wright pushed back in the second quarter after a dismal first. Wright scored in the lane with a minute left in the quarter to push Seattle in front for the first time at 30-28. Another basket from Wright following a long outlet pass put Seattle up 32-28 going into the half. Wright picked up her second foul just before halftime when she was called for a charge.

Smith hit a 3-pointer and a long two from the top of the key to close the gap with San Antonio in the second quarter, during which Seattle outscored the Silver Stars 21-11.

San Antonio led 17-11 after the first quarter because of Perkins. She scored 10 points, surpassing her season average of 8.9, after checking in midway through the quarter. Perkins went 4-for-5 in the quarter, including 2-for-3 from 3-point range.

The Storm struggled in the first. Seattle shot 27.8 percent from the field, missing numerous open shots. Six San Antonio turnovers helped keep Seattle in the game during the opening quarter.

Notes: Former Storm players Ashley Robinson and Svetlana Abrosimova were in attendance. Robinson plays for the Washington Mystics, who are in Seattle to play the Storm on Sunday.

• Silver Stars: --
• Storm: --

• Silver Stars: Hughes
• Storm: Wauters

• Lead Changes: 1
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: Key Arena, Seattle, WA
• Officials: #42 Roy Gulbeyan, #9 Denise Brooks, #62 Jeff Wooten
• Attendance: 6849
• Duration: 2:01