Live From Press Row - Storm vs. Connecticut
RELATED CONTENT | |
|
Live From Press Row Archive
Storm Snaps One Streak, Continues Two Others
Final: Storm 86, Connecticut 74
The Seattle Storm has beaten the Connecticut Sun, and that's the first time we've been able to say that in a long time - more than four years, to be precise. The seven-game head-to-head losing streak came to an end. Meanwhile, the Storm continued a happier streak - four straight wins, the longest streak of 2009. More important still, the Storm's win ensures a sixth consecutive trip to the playoffs. Just three teams - Connecticut, Detroit and Sacramento - have longer active playoff runs, and none of those three teams have yet clinched a berth this season.
The Storm did it with balance, both in terms of offense and defense and scoring from the starters. Sue Bird led the way with 21 points and seven assists, reaching the 20-point mark for the fourth time this season. The rest of the starting lineup was all in double-figures, with Swin Cash and Lauren Jackson scoring 17 points. Tanisha Wright had 15 points and Camille Little rounded things out with a double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds), her second of the season. Shannon Johnson's statline - two points, three rebounds - doesn't jump out, but Johnson brought great energy off the bench.
The Storm wraps up what has already been a successful homestand on Saturday night, hosting the Atlanta Dream on Back to School Night. With the regular-season schedule winding down, you won't want to miss that game. 
Get your tickets now! Looking ahead, sign up for StormWatch to be eligible for the upcoming presale of single-game playoff tickets and stay tuned for more information as the Storm heads to the postseason a sixth straight time!
Storm in Control
Fourth Quarter: Storm 80, Connecticut 72
Execution at both ends from the Storm. Lindsay Whalen had to force a runner from the baseline and I don't believe she caught any rim. The Storm came down and got a Sue Bird pullup to make it an eight-point margin with 37.3 seconds left. It's going to be very difficult for Connecticut to come back now.
Storm Responds
Fourth Quarter: Storm 78, Connecticut 72
Great offensive execution for the Seattle Storm, which has scored on four straight possessions since the timeout to take a six-point lead, 78-72, with 1:14 to play. Lauren Jackson started it off with a runner and a three-point play, while Swin Cash and Sue Bird have also contributed buckets. The Storm is a stop or two away from putting Connecticut away at long last.
Sun's Turn to Make a Run
Fourth Quarter: Storm 69, Connecticut 68
The Storm had a Sue Bird runner a moment ago that could have given the team a double-digit lead for the first time in the second half, but it rattled in and out. That was all the opening Connecticut needed, with an Erin Phillips three-pointer opening a 7-0 run that has the Sun back within one point. A stop and a score would give the Sun the lead for the first time tonight. The Storm has responded to each Connecticut challenge tonight, but none is anywhere near as important as this one.
Balanced Scoring
Fourth Quarter: Storm 69, Connecticut 61
With Camille Little's layup off an inbound pass, all five Storm starters have scored double-figures tonight. Nobody has more than Sue Bird's 17 points, but everybody has chipped in. After a Sandrine Gruda turnover, Connecticut is in a little danger and the fans are ready to go nuts. As a result, Mike Thibault took timeout to try to get the Sun going.
Cash Coming Through
Fourth Quarter: Storm 67, Connecticut 61
The first half wasn't great for Swin Cash, who missed all four of her shot attempts. Give Cash credit for staying with it. She has had a hard time finishing in the paint, but has gotten to the free throw line eight times and knocked them all down. She's also made some perimeter jumpers, enough to give her 15 points. Add in eight rebounds and it's been a strong night for Cash. The Storm keeps surging briefly before seeing Connecticut answer. Seattle's eight point lead a moment ago was the team's largest of the second half.
Offensive Explosion
End Third Quarter: Storm 59, Connecticut 53
This strange game continues. Midway through the third quarter, both teams all of a sudden caught fire from beyond the arc. The Storm made three three-pointers in a four-possession span, while Connecticut had three straight. The rest of the game, they've combined for just four threes. Go figure on that one, but the Storm will take it, as it means a six-point advantage heading to the final period.
Shannon Johnson gave the Storm a lift during the third quarter with her energy, which was good to see. The Storm's starters have been outstanding, all five scoring at least nine points, but the bench has kept the Sun in the game.
Four Remains Magic Number
Third Quarter: Storm 45, Connecticut 41
Don't be surprised if the Storm ends up winning this game by four points. The teams have traded runs again since halftime, yet the margin remains four at our lone mandatory timeout of the third quarter. The good news early in this quarter was how active Lauren Jackson looked. She's got 10 points tonight along with four rebounds and two blocks, but is currently on the bench resting. On the other side, Lindsay Whalen has gotten going on offense and now leads all scorers with 13 points.
Four-Point Game Again at the Break
Halftime: Storm 36, Connecticut 32
Despite a variety of ups and downs, at halftime the lead as the same as it was after one quarter - four points. It's 36-32 in a game which has featured good stretches of offense but has been a defensive battle overall. Both teams are shooting between 37 and 38 percent from the field, and they've combined to make two three-pointers in 18 attempts. The Storm could use more production tonight from the bench. Janell Burse hasn't been quite as sharp as the last two games, and while Shannon Johnson has offered energy off the bench, she's scored just two points. By contrast, the Sun has 11 points from its reserves, who helped lead a run early in the second quarter.
This has the feeling of a game that's there for the Storm's taking with a good run or two early in the second half. It's also possible that we could be in for another close finish. We'll see after halftime.
Agler Takes Timeout
Second Quarter: Storm 33, Connecticut 28
Connecticut came out of the timeout with consecutive scores, getting better looks at the basket. Storm Head Coach Brian Agler took timeout to try to reinforce the team's defensive principles. Speaking of coaches, we have one of the best in WNBA history with us here tonight. Former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor, who has returned to the college ranks at LSU, is sitting courtside tonight with his wife next to Storm CEO Karen Bryant. He's joined the 1150-AM KKNW broadcast during the second quarter. The Chancellors are leaving from Seattle tomorrow for a cruise to Alaska.
When he was introduced on ArenaVision, Chancellor got a tremendous standing ovation from Storm fans. He spent the period before the game saying hello to a variety of players and coaches on both sides. I don't think there are many people in the women's basketball world who don't like Chancellor, one of the great characters the game has seen.
Storm Opens Up Lead
Second Quarter: Storm 33, Connecticut 24
The Sun tying the game seemed to get the Storm going. Since that point, Seattle has had excellent offensive execution, scoring on seven of its last eight possessions. The only exception in that span came when Janell Burse missed a layup in traffic, so the Storm is getting great shots as well as enough stops. Sue Bird continues to play very well. She's got 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including more inside buckets than we've seen from her in a while.
During the timeout, Broke from Movin' 92.5's "The Ladies' Room" Morning Show leads an on-court dance contest. My vote, as always, went to Doppler. Congrats anyway to Mary, our actual winner of a Movin' 92.5 Prize Pack.
Storm Offense Quiet
Second Quarter: Storm 21, Connecticut 19
Connecticut made it all the way back on an 8-0 run, holding the Storm scoreless for more than five minutes before a Tanisha Wright step-through move snapped the drought. Wright has six points tonight on 3-of-4 shooting, though her foul trouble could become an issue - she and Lauren Jackson both have two early fouls.
Tonight is Breast Health Awareness Night at KeyArena, and there's tons of pink on and off the court. Players wore special pink BHA Night t-shirts during warmups, and you can bid on a signed one - as well as a BHA basketball signed by Sue Bird, Swin Cash and Lauren Jackson - as part of the WNBA's auctions benefiting the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. Three players - Bird, Jackson and Shannon Johnson - are wearing shoes trimmed with pink. Also, Cash is wearing a pink hairband and Head Coach Brian Agler has a pink tie.
Storm Leads After One
End First Quarter: Storm 19, Connecticut 15
The Storm's lead was as large as nine points in the first quarter, but Connecticut's second unit was tougher on defense. The Storm was scoreless over the last four minutes of the period, allowing the Sun to climb back within four at 19-15. The Storm's defense remains strong. Connecticut shot 35.3 percent from the field and missed all six attempts from beyond the arc.
Lauren Jackson has looked pretty good, putting up a three-point play and scoring five points. We've already seen her in and out, which is how Brian Agler would like to use her because of her back. She sat out about two and a half minutes. Sue Bird has been the Storm's other go-to player on offense, looking for her own shot. Bird has seven points on 3-of-5 shooting.
Looks like our LiveAccess feed is having technical difficulties difficult. There's not much I an tell you than that, as we don't control the video feed.
Storm Brings Early Energy
First Quarter: Storm 4, Connecticut 0
You don't see timeouts much earlier than Connecticut's Mike Thibault took one tonight - a minute and 40 seconds into the game. Thibault is unhappy with the way his team has already been outplayed. The Sun has turned it over on two of its first four possessions, leading to Storm runouts and layups at the other end. Camille Little will be at the free throw line after the timeout to try to extend the Storm's game-opening run.
LJ Will Play
Pregame
Because of her back injury, Storm center Lauren Jackson was a game-time decision for tonight's game.
"She was out shooting earlier," said Storm Head Coach Brian Agler during his pregame media availability an hour and a half before the game. "Her back still feels the same, so we're going to just let things play out a little bit here and see."
Right about the same time, Jackson was joining her teammates on the court for post drills, and she looked fairly spry. Jackson will be in the starting lineup, though her minutes may still be limited depending upon how she feels over the course of the game. The Storm will turn to Janell Burse off the bench, with Suzy Batkovic-Brown and Ashley Robinson also available to play spot minutes as needed.
Signing On
Pregame
It's the Storm and the Connecticut Sun tonight at KeyArena as the Storm looks to win its fourth consecutive game and clinch a playoff berth. Connecticut has been the Storm's most troublesome foe since the 2004 WNBA Finals, handing the Storm seven straight losses and three straight here at KeyArena, where the Storm is very difficult to beat. To change that, the Storm will need a better effort than in a loss two weeks ago at Mohegan Sun Arena, particularly in terms of offensive execution. It should be an excellent matchup between two of the league's most consistently successful teams, so stay with us all night long for the latest.
