WNBA: Bec Allen's career night continues Aussie scoring spree
The Australian women have been on fire across the past week in the WNBA, capped by a career night by Bec Allen in a shootout with fellow Opal Steph Talbot.
Clap it up for @becallen8's career-night (28 pts, 4 reb)! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/mCHQFIxQLR
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 14, 2019
In New York,the Minnesota Lynx delivered a four quarter effort against the Liberty to register a convincing 89-73 victory, highlighted by a long-distance shootout between Talbot and Allen. While Talbot came away with the win, compiling a tidy 16 points that included 4 of 8 three-pointers, it was Allen that shined brightest albeit in a losing effort. Allen was unconscious from beyond the arc, scorching the net by draining 6 of 7 triples and 11 of 15 overall from the field on her way to a new career-high of 28 points.
📹 Highlights | The @wnba highlights keep coming for the Aussie women!@stephtalbot7 hit 4 treys for 16 points as the @minnesotalynx got the win over the Liberty.#AussieHoops #WNBA pic.twitter.com/FaOdwEhn3e
— The Pick and Roll (@PickandRollAU) August 14, 2019
Despite New York being in the midst of a 7 game losing streak, Allen has been in great form. She connected on 6 of 11 three-pointers in logging 21 points with 4 assists and 4 blocks in a loss to Chicago, and in her previous start added 8 points in 19 minutes in falling short to Seattle.
Talbot's record has been good too, with the versatile Lynx forward providing 14 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in a win against Connecticut before following up with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in a loss to Washington.
Allen and Talbot's fantastic recent form is not isolated either, with WNBA All-Star Liz Cambage back in form and sharpshooting guards Leilani Mitchell and Sami Whitcomb also in scintillating form.
Cambage did a bit of everything as the Las Vegas Aces accounted for Atlanta 94-90. She amassed 18 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocked shots in another commanding performance. It backed up her previous two big performances for three consecutive double-doubles and came on the back of sharing her battle with mental illness.
Another night, another double-double for 💪iz
18 PTS | 10 REB | 6 AST | 2 BLK@ecambage | #DoubleDown pic.twitter.com/S6Y6PsEQRx
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 14, 2019
Against the Sky, despite a 28 point and 11 rebound haul from Cambage, the Aces were unable to get over the line. Yet against the Sun the Victorian contributed 21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks to get her side back onto the winners list.
In her last start against the Liberty, Sami Whitcomb was on fire from downtown. The 2018 World Cup silver medalist connected on 4 of 6 treys in compiling 18 points with 4 assists as the Storm earned a 15 point win.
📹 Highlights | Sami fired up yet again! 👌@SamBam32 compiled 18 points including 4 three's with 4 assists and 2 steals as the @seattlestorm breezed past the Liberty in the @wnba.#AussieHoops #WNBA pic.twitter.com/BIDbItgRr2
— The Pick and Roll (@PickandRollAU) August 11, 2019
Mitchell's hot shooting has yet to cool off either, with the veteran point guard on target for the injury depleted Mercury. She hit 6 of 11 from the field (4-7 3PT) for 19 points alongside 5 assists in Phoenix's loss to the Sparks, before stepping it up in their next game against the Wings. Mitchell finished the game with 23 points (2-4 3PT) which included a remarkable 11 of 12 free throws with 3 assists and 3 steals, but try as she may she could not prevent a second straight loss.
📹 Highlights | Lei continues to fire away in the @wnba!
Mitchell compiled a game-high 23 points with 3 assists and 3 steals as the @phoenixmercury lost by 3 to the Wings.#AussieHoops #WNBA pic.twitter.com/4R1V0QmjFc
— The Pick and Roll (@PickandRollAU) August 11, 2019
Phoenix's injury list includes rookie forward Alanna Smith, who has this week been seen wearing her moon boot for her injured ankle. Her scheduled return to the court remains unclear for now in a difficult first season for the former Stanford star.
https://pickandroll.com.au/alanna-smith-not-immune-from-phoenixs-injury-bug/