STORM FALL TO DALLAS, 68-67

In another close battle—albeit a defensive one this time, Seattle was unable to replicate Friday’s last-second heroics as the Storm lost a heart-breaker 68-67 to Dallas on Sunday afternoon at Angel Of The Winds Arena.

Seattle (7-2) led the game late but saw the Wings (3-5) rally, capped by a pair of three-pointers by Arike Ogunbowale in the final 33 seconds—the last with just 0.7 seconds on the clock—to pull out the victory. A last second attempt by Breanna Stewart rattled off but may not have counted anyway had it gone to replay.

Jewell Loyd again had a strong night against Dallas, pouring in a season-high 25 points—the third time this season she has scored 25 against the Wings. Stewart added 14 while Sue Bird contributed 13.

Sunday’s outcome snapped a six-game winning streak for the Storm, who had won 10-straight against Dallas, including seven in a row at home. 

The Storm had a 67-60 lead with 2:06 to play after Loyd hit a pair of free throws for the last of her 25 points. But Ogunbowale then went on a personal 8-0 scoring run to win the game for Dallas. First, it was a pair of free throws with 1:43 left to make it 67-62. Then it was a 3-pointer from the right of the lane with 31.5 seconds remaining, cutting the Storm’s lead to 67-65. 

Seattle ran the clock down before Loyd drove to the hoop, only to see her runner bounce off the rim. Stephanie Talbot and Dallas’ Isabelle Harrison battled for the rebound, and Harrison latched onto it.

The Wings called timeout to set up a play. Kayla Thornton inbounded on the left-wing side, just over the midcourt line, Ogunbowale got the ball, settled her feet, and let go with a high arcing shot that swished through the net, capping her 24-point afternoon. 

That was the first lead for the Wings since they were up 19-18 with 7:31 left in the second quarter.  

Despite the loss, the Storm had their best defensive effort of the season, both for fewest points allowed (72 vs. Minnesota on May 28 was the previous low) and for worst shooting by an opponent (35.7 percent; 37.3 in the same game against the Lynx was the previous low). The 28 points allowed to Dallas in the first half was the fewest yielded in any half this season by Seattle. 

The Storm head back on the road for just the second time this season, playing five games in eight days including two in Atlanta, one in Connecticut, and one at Indiana. The trip starts Wednesday as Seattle faces the Dream in the first of two games in Atlanta with tip slated for 4 p.m. PT (7 p.m. ET).