2016 WNBA season scores: Loyd drops 30 as Seattle shocks Phoenix

In a game that featured UConn alumni going at each other, it was Jewell Loyd who stole the spotlight. The reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year fired at will to tally a career-high 30 points and lead the Seattle Storm to an 81-80 come-from-behind win over the Phoenix Mercury.

Loyd scored the Storm's last 10 points including the bank shot from the right elbow with 2.9 seconds left which pushed the Storm ahead. Diana Taurasi's shot at the buzzer failed to hit the mark, as the Mercury remained winless after three games.

Loyd shot 12-for-20 from the field, including 3-for-5 from three-point area. Breanna Stewart added 14 points and 13 rebounds in spite of missing her first five shots.

Loyd made back to back baskets to pull the Storm within 78-77 before Candice Dupree hit two free throws to extend the Mercury's lead up to 80-77. Loyd again scored on the other end to make it a one-point game, but Dupree missed a shot on the other end, leaving the door open for Seattle with 12 seconds remaining in regulation. Coming off a timeout, Loyd drove past Dupree, and hit a mid-range shot off the glass.
An improved jumper shall surely help Loyd and the rest of the squad moving forward. Loyd is known for her aggressiveness in getting to the rim but if she can also present herself as a pull-up threat, then it will require the defense to work even more.

The biggest difference for the Storm in the victory, though, was more production outside of their back to back no. 1 overall picks. Crystal Langhorne, who had only two points on a single field goal attempt in the Storm's 96-66 loss against the Los Angeles Sparks, this time scored 11 points on 4-for-8 shooting, and added seven boards.

Sue Bird, who likewise had only two points against the Sparks, was more on-target on the offensive end. Bird scored 12 points in the first half alone on 4-for-6 from long range. She finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

Diana Taurasi topscored for the Mercury with 23 points including 6-for-16 from three-point area and also dished out six assists. Brittney Griner had 19 points including 7-for-8 free throws, six rebounds, and two blocked shots. Penny Taylor added 15 points.

If the Storm are to win more games, they will need more names to contribute outside of their stars. The win also showed how the Storm are bound to be competitive this season than last year, while having one eye focused on the future as they continue to transition from the Bird era to the Loyd-Stewie era.

And should Phoenix fans be worried after a 0-3 start from their squad? Perhaps not. The team is still trying to look for that right chemistry given that Taurasi and Taylor both skipped last season. The Mercury will also need their bench to be productive. Six bench points against the Storm is not going to do the job. The 2014 roster, which won the title, had ample support from players like Erin Phillips, Shay Murphy, and Anete Jekabsone. It's up to this year's squad to step up and provide the Big 5 with much-needed help.

Last night's scores:

 Seattle Storm 81, Phoenix Mercury 80

Los Angeles Sparks 97, Washington Mystics 67
The Sparks punctuated their opening week with another 30-point obliteration of an opponent, this time sending the Mystics to their third straight loss.

Four players scored in double-digits for the Sparks, led by Kristi Toliver's 19 points on 5-for-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Candace Parker, who had 34 points in their opener against the Storm, did not even have to produce that much on offense. She had eight points on over 21 minutes.

The Sparks shot 56.1 percent overall from the field, had 28 assists, and 15 steals.

Emma Meesseman notched a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Mystics, who are still suffering without Ivory Latta.

Indiana Fever 94, Atlanta Dream 85
The Fever made it back to back victories after edging the Dream. The Fever had seven players in double-digit scoring for a balanced attack and improve to 2-1 overall in the season. The Fever had 19 assists in the game compared to only nine from the Dream.

Tamika Catchings had 14 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Five others had 12 points. Tiffany Hayes and Layshia Clarendon both topscored for the Dream with 19 points. Angel McCoughtry added 15 points.

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