Seattle rookie Dominique Malonga tied a profession excessive with 11 factors and Gabby Williams had 16 because the visiting Storm rolled previous the New York Liberty 79-70 Sunday at Barclays Heart.
New York is 12-6 general, however 2-4 since standout Jonquel Jones was sidelined with an ankle harm. Seattle is 12-7 and has crushed New York twice this season.
After an in depth first half, Seattle dominated the second. They outscored the Liberty 22-6 within the third quarter as New York went 2-for-18 from the sector.
Sabrina Ionescu had a game-high 22 factors for New York however solely had two factors within the second half.
Seattle opened the third quarter on a 15-2 run highlighted by a steal and lay-up by Williams and one other theft with a rating by Storm All-Star Nneka Ogwumike.
The opposite key to the Storm’s second half surge was the play of the 19-year-old rookie from Cameroon, who used her measurement and fast ft to attain simply inside towards New York. Malonga had 11 factors and eight rebounds in just below 10 minutes of sport time.
The most important lead by both crew within the first half was 5 by the Liberty.
The most important story within the first half was Ionescu, who was 5-for-6 from 3-point vary and had 20 factors in fewer than 18 minutes.
Ionescu’s first 3 of the competition put New York forward 13-9 halfway by the primary quarter. Seattle would roar again with a 8-0 run capped by a driving basket from Skylar Diggins and carry a 22-18 lead after one.
Seattle stored the momentum going early within the second quarter as Diggins hit a mid-range jumper to make it 29-25 with 7:06 left within the half, however Ionescu was simply getting warmed up. She sank a 3 to chop the Storm’s result in 29-28. Her subsequent 3-ball two minutes later tied the rating at 35.
With the clock winding down within the first half, Ionescu launched a protracted 3 and was fouled by Ogwumike. She sank the free throw for a four-point play and a 44-39 Liberty lead. Williams’ jumper for Seattle held on the rim and dropped on the buzzer to make it 44-41.
New York shot 35.3 p.c from the ground within the sport whereas Seattle registered 45.1 p.c.
–Subject Degree Media
