2016 WNBA season scores: Sky edge Storm anew, tie Dream for 4th


Just like in their first meeting where the Seattle Storm almost completed a giant comeback, the Chicago Sky had to dodge bullets again to prevail past the Storm, 92-88 on Friday.

Tamera Young gave the Sky a big boost, scoring a career-high 24 points which included 18 in the first half alone. She shot 10-for-14 from the field. Elena Delle Donne added 22 points including a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line.

The Sky turned things around in the second quarter when the team went on a 26-9 run to close the first half taking a 55-43 lead. The Sky ran and took advantage of opportunities in transition as they had 18 fastbreak points in the first half alone.

Chicago extended the margin to as high as 20 points, but Seattle went back using a more athletic unit with Ramu Tokashiki playing center. The Storm cut the deficit down to single-digits late in the third, then pulled to within three, 84-81, with just just under four minutes left in the game.

Cappie Pondexter extended the lead on a drive, although Jewell Loyd hit two free throws to keep it a one-possession game. Delle Donne then scored on a lay-up to make it 88-83.

Off a miss from the Sky, Alysha Clark converted on an and-one opportunity under the final minute, but Courtney Vandersloot responded with a pull-up jumper. Jewell Loyd cut the deficit down to two again, 90-88 before Delle Donne missed a short jumper on the other end which left the door open for Seattle with only eight seconds left.

The Storm didn't call a timeout and rushed frontcourt, but Sue Bird's pull-up attempt on the left elbow in transition failed to hit the mark.

Pondexter and Vandersloot added 13 and 11 points, respectively, in the win. Both issued five assists.

The win pushed Chicago to above .500 at 14-13. The team is now tied with the Atlanta Dream from fourth to fifth in the league standings. The third and fourth-seeded teams will get one round byes in the playoffs.

The Storm were led by Loyd's 23 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Breanna Stewart added 13 points, 10 boards, and two blocks. Bird and Tokashiki each scored 15 points.

Seattle dropped to 11-17 with the loss is still in eighth place, tied with the Connecticut Sun.

Friday's scores:

 Connecticut Sun 87, Phoenix Mercury 74


Chiney Ogwumike tallied a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds while Jasmine Thomas added 18 points as the Sun beat the Mercury.

It was the fifth win of the Sun in a span of six games, and more importantly, the team is now tied for eighth spot with the Storm. The Mercury dropped to seventh place with a 13-15 record and are 1.5 games out of fourth spot which shall give them a first round bye.

Alex Bentley added 16 points in the win. Brittney Griner was the lone bright spot for the Mercury, scoring 29 points on 10-for-15 shooting. Penny Taylor and DeWanna Bonner each had 14 points but Diana Taurasi was limited to only seven points on 2-for-8 shooting. She also committed eight turnovers.

Minnesota Lynx 75, Washington Mystics 69


Maya Moore hit a tough one-foot fadeaway under the final minute as the Lynx prevailed over the Mystics.

Moore topscored with 27 points. She shot 12-for-13 from the free-throw line and also had six rebounds and two steals. Sylvia Fowles added 15 points and 17 rebounds.

The Mystics fell to 10th place at10-17, just half a game out of the playoff race. Tayler Hill led Washington with 15 points, but needed 22 shots to score the output. Leilani Mitchell had 13 points, her highest as part of the team. The Mystics shot 3-for-21 from three-point area in the loss.

Chicago Sky 92, Seattle Storm 88

 Los Angeles Sparks 87, Dallas Wings 79


Nneka Ogwumike scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Sparks to a win over the slumping Wings.

The Sparks gained top spot once again with the victory, tied with the Lynx at 23-5. The Wings, which lost their 10th game in a row, dropped to 9-20 in the regular season.

Kristi Toliver added 24 points including 4-for-7 from long range and four assists. Jantel Lavender and Ana Dabovic provided support off the bench, scoring 12 and 10 points, respectively, enough to atone for Candace Parker's off night. Parker only had four points on 1-for-11 shooting.

Odyssey Sims carried the Wings with 26 points while Glory Johnson had 16 points and 15 rebounds.

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