SEATTLE -- The Seattle Storm diminished the Connecticut Sun, 97-81, in a bounce-back win. Following Seattle’s previous loss to the Indiana Fever, they were able to end their three-game homestand with a win.. Before a long road trip, the Storm moved to 10-6 on the season while the Sun dropped to 2-13. Although Seattle dismantled the Sun on the scoreboard, both teams started close.

After the end of the first quarter, the Storm took a 24-19 lead. Skylar Diggins came out looking to avenge their last loss, scoring 10 of her 24 points in the period. She made all three of her attempts, including two three-pointers, to go with three assists. Ezi Magbegor (Eh-Zee Mag-Buh-GORE) had a bounce-back start to the game as well, scoring six of her 12 points in the quarter. She also made all three of her attempts in the period, to go along with one rebound and two assists. With her assists at the end of the quarter, Magbegor passed Swin Cash to move into 12th on the Storm’s all-time assists list with 291 total. The Sun was led by their veteran Center, Tina Charles, who scored seven points in the period. At the 3:28 mark of the first quarter, she made a free throw, which moved her past Jasmine Thomas for the eighth-most total points in Connecticut history with 2,489. Olivia Nelson-Ododa (uh-DOH-duh) scored five points to go with one rebound and one steal in the period. Despite being among the top teams in the league in three-point shooting the last few weeks, Seattle made two of their 12 attempts in the quarter (16.7%). As the first half came to a close, the Storm shook off the rust to extend their lead. 

Before Seattle and the Sun entered their locker rooms, Seattle took a 52-38 lead. After scoring three points in the opening period, rookie forward Aneesa Morrow (uh-nees-uh) entered the locker room with 10 points and five rebounds. The double-double queen in college finished with another one with 20 points and 11 rebounds despite the loss. Storm rookie Dominique Malonga (Muh-LONG-uh) ended the half, tying her career-high with eight points to go with two rebounds and one block. She finished with 11 points, her new career-high. Malonga also became the second-youngest player in WNBA history to score 10+ points in a game. Although rookie Saniya Rivers (suh-NIGH-uh) didn’t score in the half, she impacted the game on defense with one steal and two blocks. She finished the loss with four points, six assists, two steals, and two blocks. With both teams refreshed and ready to take on the second half, Seattle kept their foot on the gas in the third quarter.

Following a strong second quarter, the Storm’s thunderous defense continued as they extended their lead, 82-58, entering the fourth quarter. Through three quarters, reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, Nneka Ogwumike (NEH-kuh oh-gwoo-MIH-kay) had 16 points to go with four rebounds and one assist. She was joined by another double-digit scorer in Gabby Williams, who scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds in three quarters. Although the Sun lost, Jacy Sheldon showed out with 12 points, four rebounds, and one assist, 75% of the way through the game. Bria Hartley also did what she could, scoring 11 points, grabbing four rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. In a game where Seattle was up by as much as 30, Connecticut trimmed the lead thanks to its fourth-quarter effort.  

Despite the Storm struggling in the first quarter, they shot 49.3% from the field and made nine of their 28 three-point attempts (32.1%). They were able to clinch the win during the fourth quarter, which saw an opportunity for the bench unit. Newest Seattle member Mackenzie Holmes scored her first points in a WNBA uniform while finishing with one rebound, one assist, and one block. She has shown that she can be a bright spot in the Storm’s present and future. Following their win, Seattle will head on the road to San Francisco to battle the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday, June 29th. The Sun’s next chance to end their losing ways will be on the road against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, June 29th.