Storm-Connecticut Series Recap

	Connecticut	29	34	63
	at Storm	34	34	68

Conditions were not ideal for the Connecticut Sun when they took on the Seattle Storm at KeyArena on June 11. Connecticut traveled to the arena without starting point guard Lindsay Whalen after the rookie was hospitalized with what was believed to be (and indeed was) strep throat. Minutes into the game, the Sun's other starting guard, Katie Douglas, left with a sprained ankle. Later, starting center Taj McWilliams-Franklin also had to leave the court after hurting her finger. Both Douglas and McWilliams-Franklin returned, but the overmatched Sun had to rely on its bench much of the evening, with a pair of rookie guards (undrafted Jen Derevjanik and Candace Futrell, a third-round pick) playing the most minutes of their career. Still, the Sun hung around, getting the lead within four late in the game, before time ran out on a 68-63 Storm victory. Afterwards, Storm Coach Anne Donovan was displeased with her team's effort and focus. It was hard to level such complaints against the team's starting frontcourt of Lauren Jackson and Kamila Vodichkova, which combined for 39 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks. Wings Betty Lennox and Sheri Sam chipped in on the glass, combining for 18 boards (a career-high 12 for Sam) and Sue Bird had six assists. Douglas and Asjha Jones had 13 points apiece for Connecticut, with McWilliams-Franklin adding 10 rebounds.

Douglas scored 21 in Connecticut.
Ray Amati/NBAE/Getty

Sunday, September 12, 2004 - Recap | Box

	Storm	28	36	64
	at Connecticut	32	39	71

For the second straight year, the Storm's (and UConnn grad Bird's) visit to Connecticut was nationally televised, producing an early 2 p.m. local start time. Both teams looked a bit sleepy in the early going, combining for 10 points in the first five minutes of action. Connecticut began to pull away in the middle of the half, leading by as many as 10 points before halftime before the Storm cut the deficit to four with the half's last five points. The second half saw the teams spend a lot of time trading baskets. The Storm cut the lead to five at the two-minute mark with a 7-0 run, but Bird missed a jumper and Whalen leaked out for a critical layup. A Jackson turnover inside the one-minute mark essentially sealed the game as Connecticut came out with a 71-64 win. Jackson was the only Storm player in double-figures, finishing with 24 points on 9-for-17 shooting. Douglas led the Sun with 21 points, and center McWilliams-Franklin had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Storm-Connecticut Leaders

STORM