WNBA: Talbot performs for Phoenix as the Storm break through
Steph Talbot provided some solid output for the Phoenix Mercury this past week, while for Sami Whitcomb and the Seattle Storm, they were able to break their losing streak.
The Mercury kicked their week off with an exciting win overtime win over Dallas, taking the victory by just 1 point. With a soldier down in the absence of Brittney Griner, the Mercury had to dig deep and find a way to win despite being outnumbered inside and on the boards. Totaling a healthy 25 assists for the match, the Mercury clearly played the team game and it worked.
Cayla George had a solid game in absence of Griner, delivering 8 points and 4 rebounds. Steph Talbot was solid too, with 6 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists, while surprisingly Leilani Mitchell was kept quiet in just 4 minutes of game time.
New York put together an impressive four quarter effort against Atlanta, and came out with a 6 point victory. New York had a solid lead for most of the match, but Atlanta came out 9-0 in the fourth quarter to turn this one into a real game, however New York were able to just hold on to their lead. The Liberty's Tina Charles and Shavonte Zellous led from the front, combining for 35 points to prove far too strong for the Dream. Rebecca Allen made 2 points for the match.
New York had their biggest run of the season, scoring 20-0 in the second quarter against the LA Sparks to combine for an impressive 83-69 point victory. It was the dynamic duo of Tina Charles and Shevonte Zellous who dominated yet again, this time combining for a massive 40 points. The Liberty dominated the boards, out-rebounding LA by 11 to give them far more opportunities to score. Allen was quiet in 4 minutes of game time, managing 2 rebounds and 1 assist.
Making it a stellar week and 4 wins in a row, the Liberty strung together another win against in-form Connecticut, taking home an 82-70 point victory. Charles was yet again the stalwart for New York, making 24 points and 7 rebounds. The Liberty yet again proved their dominance on the boards, making 46 to the Sun's 35. Allen had more impact in this match, making 3 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
The Storm were able to break their losing streak and found a way to win against the Phoenix. Seattle hit 10 three-pointer's to string together this win, including a crucial trey from Sami Whitcomb to give Seattle a 10-0 run to open up an 11 point lead with 6:30 to play. Whitcomb finished the match on 6 points and 3 rebounds. For Phoenix, George was again solid with 8 points, 4 rebounds while Talbot had 2 points and Mitchell 3 points and 2 assists.
https://twitter.com/seattlestorm/status/896590785407139840
Whitcomb was kept busy this week, visiting some junior stars for a basketball camp too as the WNBA and the Storm continued to do some great work in the local community.
https://twitter.com/seattlestorm/status/898359886651637761
Seattle were able to find away to win again, this time combating the fierce in-form Minnesota Lynx by just 1 point in a thrilling match. Crystal Langhorne gave the Storm what they needed with just 11 seconds to go, scoring a crucial basket to put them in front. On paper, the Lynx should have won, but the Storm kept fighting until the final seconds.
https://twitter.com/seattlestorm/status/898039150674288640
Diana Taurasi inspired the Phoenix Mercury to a 10 point win over Washington Mystics. Taurasi finished with 25 points in her fellow teammate Griner's comeback game which saw her take 13 points and 10 rebounds. Talbot had an impressive match with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Cayla George made 3 points and 3 rebounds, while Mitchell managed 9 points and 4 assists.