Sky falls on Storm in final quarter

  • By Aaron Lommers Herald Writer
  • Thursday, August 15, 2013 10:30pm
  • SportsSports

SEATTLE — Going into the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s game the Seattle Storm appeared well on their way to a home victory over the Chicago Sky.

About half an hour later, they were lamenting one of the worst collapses in franchise history.

Chicago outscored the Storm 32-6 in the final stanza — shooting 12-for-15 from the floor in the process — to turn a 13-point deficit into a 79-66 WNBA victory.

“I think we are a team that gets our confidence from our defense,” Storm head coach Brian Agler said. “For the first three quarters, we controlled the game and we got stops. In the fourth quarter, it was the complete opposite. We didn’t get stops. They got to the free-throw line. They hit shots on us and got a couple of second shots. And then as passive as we seemed to be defensively, we got just as passive on offense.”

The Storm, who had led since midway through the first quarter, made just three of their 12 field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter and turned the ball over seven times. Chicago scored seven of the first nine points of the period to cut the Storm’s lead to eight. That got the attention of Agler, who promptly called a timeout.

If the goal of the timeout was to stop momentum, it didn’t work. Chicago continued to chip away at the lead behind former Storm guard Allie Quigley and guard Epiphanny Prince.

Prince shot just 1-for-7 in the first three quarters, but was 5-for-6 in the fourth quarter as she helped swing the momentum. Quigley’s 3-pointer with 4:18 to play gave Chicago its first lead since the first quarter and Sylvia Fowles driving lay up with 3:50 to play capped off a 17-0 Sky run.

“We are a team that can never take a breather or relax or think that we have anything made,” Agler said. “We have to be a team that no matter what the circumstances, we stay completely focused.”

Former Storm forward Swin Cash led the Sky with 18 points, but it was Prince, who finished with 16, who led Chicago in the game’s final minutes.

“(Epiphanny) is an all-star in this league,” Storm guard Tanisha Wright said. “If anybody can step up to the challenge when their team is down, she is capable of doing that. She did a good job of doing that in the fourth quarter when they really needed her, she came through.”

The Storm (10-13) looked as though they were well on their way to getting to within one game of .500 with two games remaining in their five-game homestand. Instead, it’s the Sky who strengthened their hold on first place in the Eastern Conference — and they did it without rookie forward Elena Delle Donne. The team’s leading scorer didn’t play because of a foot injury.

“This is a frustrating one because it’s getting close to the end (of the season),” Wright said. “These games you’ve got to win. We were up 13 going into the fourth quarter, and to be able to only score six points, but give up as much as we did, too, it’s not good. It’s not good basketball.”

Wright led all scorers with 20 points, but was held scoreless in the final quarter, as was forward Shekinna Stricklen, who finished with 16.

Quigley matcher her career-high with 14 points, scoring seven in the fourth, including the go-ahead 3-pointer.

“She played well,” Agler said. “That was huge for them because they were missing Delle Donne, so they needed one more person to step up.”

After watching his team lead by as many as 16 points and then collapse, Agler seemed eager to learn from the defeat rather than being upset with his players.

“I’m not upset with them,” Agler said. “Why should I be upset? We’ve got a long season and we stay on an even keel. We are going to talk about it and we are going to learn from it and we will learn from our mistakes, but I’m not going to be upset with them.”

Aaron Lommers covers the Seattle Storm for The Herald. Follow him on twitter @aaronlommers and contact him at alommers@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.