Charles' Big Game Lifts New York to 94-86 Win Over Seattle


NEW YORK (AP) – Tina Charles had 21 points and 14 rebounds and New York used a 12-1 late run to beat the Seattle Storm 94-86 on Sunday.

Trailing 83-80 with 3:05 left, Bria Hartley tapped the ball to Shavonte Zellous to hit a 3-pointer that tied it and started the game-ending burst. On the next play she stripped the ball from Jewell Loyd and then converted the layup on the other that made gave New York the lead.

A free throw by Alysha Clark got the Storm within 85-84 but Kiah Stokes’ putback made it 87-84 with 1:15 left. Seattle then turned it over on the next possession and Zellous converted another layup to seal the win and give New York (6-3) a fourth straight win.

Stewart finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Storm (5-4). Sue Bird finished with a season-high 21 points and Loyd had 19.

Sugar Rodgers had 20 points and Zellous 16 for New York.

New York held an 11-point lead in the second quarter before Stewart and Bird rallied Seattle within 43-40 at the half. Stewart had 14 points and Bird added 13 points in the opening 20 minutes. Charles led New York with 13.

TIP-INS

STORM: Bird is second on the league’s all-time assist lead trailing only Ticha Penicheiro, who finished her career with 2,599. Bird has 2,468.

LIBERTY: In New York’s win over Atlanta on Wednesday, Stokes and Charles became just the fourth set of teammates in WNBA history to each grab 15 or more rebounds in a game. They were the only the second to do it in a regulation game. … After leading wire-to-wire in the last two games, the Liberty gave up the first basket of the game ending that streak. It was the first time since 1999 that New York had consecutive games where the team didn’t trail.

UP NEXT

STORM: Begin a three-game homestand against Atlanta on Tuesday.

LIBERTY: Visit Connecticut on Wednesday.