2016 WNBA season scores: Loyd, Stewart combine for 48 as Storm rise to 7th

What a time for it to come. Seattle's young duo of Jewell Loyd and Breanna Stewart combined for 48 points as the Storm used a big second half surge to beat the New York Liberty, 102-78 on Wednesday.

Up by just three entering the second half of play, the Storm dropped 30 points in the third quarter, en route to outscoring the Liberty, 54-32 in the last two quarters for the blowout win.

The Storm, which have won three out of their last four games, improved to seventh in the team standings with a 13-17 record. The Liberty dropped to 20-10 but are still a lock to take the third seed. However, it is now unlikely they take one of the top two spots.

Loyd had 25 points on 9-for-14 shooting, five rebounds, and four assists. She was also a game-high plus-23. Stewart finished with 23 points, nine boards, and three blocks.

Seattle pulled away in the third quarter after giving New York a dose of its own medicine. Seattle utilized the space created by its more athletic bigs (which lured New York's frontliners out of the paint too) and kept attacking the rim for easy baskets.

Crystal Langhorne benefited from the space as the Liberty had to respect Stewart's range and ability to drive, as well as the Storm's shooters like Loyd and Sue Bird. Langhorne finished with 21 points on an efficient 10-for-12 shooting, getting most of her baskets from drives or set-ups off effective cutting.

The Storm shot 54.8 percent overall and 37.5 percent from long range. The team also had a 41-31 lead in rebounding and 22-18 edge in assists. Bird added 12 points and eight assists in the win.

Tina Charles had 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Sugar Rodgers contributed 15 points including 4-for-7 from three-point area. Rebecca Allen finished with 10 points.

Right now, the Storm are on pace to make the playoffs. While they might not have the homecourt advantage, if the team goes on to play like this in its first few playoff games (the first two rounds are knockout if ever they make it that far), they should be able to give powerhouse teams a good challenge.

The Liberty honored Swin Cash with a retirement ceremony after the game. Cash announced earlier this year that she will be retiring at the conclusion of the 2016 WNBA season.


Wednesday's scores:

 Seattle Storm 102, New York Liberty 78

 Washington Mystics 118, Chicago Sky 81


The Mystics also recorded a big win as they dominated the Sky to improve to 12-17 and stay in eighth place.

Six players finished in double-digits for the Mystics. Tayler Hill had 21 points including 4-for-5 from long range. Leilani Mitchell added 20 points including 5-for-7 triples off the bench, her best game as a Mystics member. Emma Meesseman had 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

Courtney Vandersloot led Chicago with 17 points and eight assists. Cappie Pondexter added 16 points while Imani Boyette finished with 12 points and seven boards.

The Sky lost Elena Delle Donne and Tamera Young early in the game, both due to injuries.


The Sky (15-14) fell to fifth place with the loss. The Atlanta Dream, which also have a 15-14 record, are back in fourth spot.

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