Mystics-Storm Preview

By KATE HEDLIN
Posted Jun 23 2012 1:23PM

It took a while, but the Seattle Storm seem to be figuring things out without three-time league MVP Lauren Jackson.

The Storm look to win their fourth straight Sunday when they begin a home-and-home set with the visiting Washington Mystics, who have dropped six in a row in Seattle.

Missing Jackson as she prepares to play in the Olympics for her native Australia, Seattle opened with seven losses in eight games, but it appears to have found an answer to its struggles.

The Storm (4-7) are coming off an 82-76 win over San Antonio on Friday, as Tanisha Wright scored a season-high 20 points to lead six players in double figures.

"I think there is still a long way to go and we can get better, but we're starting to see our identity come out to really know what we can rely on," said point guard Sue Bird, who hit a pair of free throws with 17.5 seconds left after the Silver Stars pulled within two.

"Out there in a tight game you need that comfort level and we're starting to get that and you're seeing it in the games."

It was the second time in three games Seattle topped 80 points after averaging 61.3 during a four-game skid prior to this winning streak.

Coach Brian Agler says the improvement on offense is due to Seattle's willingness to drive to the basket instead of settling for outside shots. The Storm averaged 24.0 3-point attempts over their first nine games but have put up 16 shots from beyond the arc in each of the last two.

"I think we're more efficient," he said. "Now we're being more aggressive at the rim."

Seattle will try to keep things going against Washington (2-7), which has lost its last two and is struggling to defend on the road.

The Mystics fell to 0-4 away from home with an 80-77 defeat to Phoenix on Wednesday. Washington had a 70-63 lead with 5:48 remaining but allowed the Mercury to go on a 12-4 run before they hit a tiebreaking layup with 23 seconds left.

Michelle Snow finished with 21 points and nine rebounds and Monique Currie scored 20, but the rest of the Mystics shot 32.6 percent.

The Mystics are giving up 85.0 points per game on the road compared to 70.2 at home. They have dropped 13 consecutive road games dating to last season, with three of the defeats this year coming by eight points or fewer.

"Just being able to close out close games," guard Jasmine Thomas told the Mystics' official website. "We have to figure out a way to play consistently for four quarters."

These teams will meet again Tuesday in the nation's capital.

Wauters helps Storm beat Mystics 72-55

Posted Jun 24 2012 10:20PM

SEATTLE (AP) Seattle Storm coach Brian Agler called a timeout with 6:17 left in the first quarter to discuss the dysfunction that led to an early 7-2 lead for the Mystics.

He didn't pick up a dry-erase board to diagram the next play. Instead, he told his team to get it in gear.

The Storm did.

A 13-2 Seattle run ensued, helping the Storm to a lead it would not give back during a 72-55 win over the Washington Mystics on Sunday. It was Seattle's fourth consecutive victory after a 1-7 start to the season.

Ann Wauters hit a jumper, Camille Little drove and scored, and Sue Bird hit a 3-pointer during the run. The blitz continued when Tina Thompson scored in the lane and rookie Shekinna Stricklen hit a jumper. Washington stopped the onslaught with a jumper from Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton.

Wauters scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Bird scored 14, along with five assists and four rebounds for the Storm (5-7).

``It was more about competing harder and being more aggressive offensively and not making it so easy for them offensively,'' Agler said. ``I think we responded pretty good.''

Washington did not. The Mystics' 20 points were the fewest Seattle allowed in a half this season. Washington scored just nine points in the second period, shooting 4 for 19 from the field. Washington tried several deep jump shots with little time remaining on the shot clock.

``I felt like we were mentally fatigued,'' Washington coach Trudi Lacey said. ``When our shots didn't fall, it took the wind out of our defense.''

Washington's Crystal Langhorne led all scorers with 21 points. Matee Ajavon had 11 for the Mystics (2-8). Noelle Quinn scored 10.

Seattle never trailed again after Bird hit a free throw to put the Storm up 10-9 with 4:35 remaining in the first quarter. Bird threw a no-look pass in the fourth quarter that a rolling Ewelina Kobryn put in while being fouled. Kobryn's made free throw put the Storm in front 64-46 and ended doubt about the result.

Bird's jumper to close the third quarter vaulted Seattle up 52-37, after a ruling in between quarters disallowed an earlier 3-pointer for the Mystics. Officials reviewed the play and ruled the shot clock expired before Wisdom-Hylton's 3-pointer was released.

The Mystics' 17 third-quarter points almost matched their 20-point output in the first half. But, it still wasn't enough to get back into the game. Seattle led 31-20 at the half after an efficient second quarter during which it shot 54.5 percent.

A 3-pointer from Bird and a layup by Little pushed the Storm in front 28-18 in the second quarter, forcing a Washington timeout.

``I think we're playing better, but I think there is still more to go,'' Bird said. ``We still kind of have some lapses here and there.''

Former Storm player Ashley Robinson returned to Seattle for the first time since being traded to Washington in the offseason. Robinson received a nice ovation when she checked in with 6:45 remaining in the second quarter and scored two points in just four minutes on the floor.

• Mystics: --
• Storm: --

• Mystics: --
• Storm: --

• Lead Changes: 2
• Times Tied: 2

• Arena: Key Arena, Seattle, WA
• Officials: #13 Cameron Inouye, #43 Brenda Pantoja, #25 Marcus Clayton
• Attendance: 6979
• Duration: 1:52