Storm Can’t Come Back in San Antonio
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Get Storm Headlines!Six days after the biggest comeback in franchise history, the Seattle Storm tried valiantly to dig out of a 15-point halftime deficit Friday in San Antonio, but found making up ground more challenging without the benefit of KeyArena behind them. The Storm got as close as six and rallied multiple times in the second half, but each time saw the Silver Stars answer with a run of their own. San Antonio handed the Storm its first defeat of 2007 by an 82-71 final.
"They had a run in them, but we sustained," said Silver Stars forward 
Erin Buescher, who had 18 points off the bench. "We were able to get a couple of stops."
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"I’d like to think that we just didn’t show up tonight," said Storm guard 
Sue Bird. "San Antonio did a great job, but I've got to believe that we weren’t ready."
The Storm scored just 12 points in the second quarter and shot 1-for-14 from the field during a stretch of more than 10 minutes over the first and second quarters. Bird, 
Lauren Jackson and 
Betty Lennox combined to miss 12 of their 14 first-half shot attempts.
Turnovers also plagued the Storm, which committed 19. Those turned into 29 San Antonio points on the other end as the Silver Stars got out on the break, racking up 25 points in transition.
"Nineteen turnovers are way too many and the 25 points that San Antonio gained from our mistakes made a huge transition during the game," said Storm Head Coach Anne Donovan. "San Antonio did a great job defensively and they are really turning some heads right now."
Still, the Storm was in the game in the second half. A Jackson score brought Seattle within six late in the third quarter, but San Antonio had an answer from an unlikely source. Backup guard Shanna Crossley followed with two of her four three-pointers and scored a third bucket during a 10-0 run to end the period. Crossley, who had 14 points, and Buescher, who shot 7-for-10 from the field, led the productive Silver Stars bench. By contrast, Storm reserves combined for only one field goal until the closing minutes.
Jackson finished with her second double-double of 2007, 16 points and 11 rebounds, but struggled to convert around the basket. Jackson shot only 4-of-15 from the field. Lennox shot 1-for-8. 
Janell Burse was the most effective option for the Storm on offense. Recording her second straight double-double, Burse had 19 points and 11 rebounds. She attempted a career-high 14 free throws.
It was the Silver Stars who had the more balanced production, including 26 assists on 33 field goals. Becky Hammon led San Antonio with 21 points and handed out nine assists. Vickie Johnson recorded a double-double for the Silver Stars in unlikely fashion - 10 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists.
The Storm returns home for a week off before a rematch with San Antonio next Saturday at KeyArena (7:00 p.m., 1150 AM KKNW, 
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"Next time we see San Antonio," said Donovan, "we will be coming off of a week of practice and will have our heads in the game."
