No matter how you slice it, the story of Tuesday’s 78-64 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars was the first quarter.
The Storm shot a blistering 14-for-17, making 14 of their first 15 en route to a 31-19 lead after the first stanza.
If not for that quarter, the Storm might not hav
e won, the Silver Stars played the Storm near even from that point on.
Point guard Sue Bird said the outstanding offense was really a result of the defense.
“I think what you saw in the beginning was us kind of playing off our defense,” Bird said. “I know you’ve heard that a lot this season, but it’s really what makes us such a good team.”
Whatever the reason, it certainly impressed coach Brian Agler.
“Excellent, I don’t know what we were, but I know we were shooting at a pretty high percentage,” Storm head coach Brian Agler said. “And then things settled back in. But San Antonio’s a good team you know, they didn’t give up.”
Agler was right, the Silver Stars didn’t give up. Over the second and third quarters, San Antonio methodically trimmed the Storm’s lead from 18 down to just one.
“I think it was good for us to get off to that start,” Bird said. “We definitely needed it because they made a push there.”
It was Bird who nailed a three-pointer with 0.5 seconds remaining in the third quarter to push the lead back up to eight, which the Storm extended further in the fourth quarter. Bird took possession of the ball off a missed Jayne Appel free throw with seven seconds left and quickly advanced to the ball up the court to deliver the game-changer.
“We knew there was seven seconds, and we actually had a play designed for Katie (Smith),” Bird said. “You figure that people are going to make their free throws, but because it came off and missed and I was able to come down with numbers, you know at that point seven seconds you just have to see what they give you.
“I kind of had a feeling if I accelerated a bit she (Appel) would back up and I am probably not going to be able to shoot over her underneath the basket area, but I can definitely step back and shoot the three, so I was looking to do that. Even if I got by her she could still make a play because she is like 8,000 inches taller,” Bird jokingly added.
Then the fourth quarter belonged to the Storm fans as it often does. The “Storm crazies” as center Ashley Robinson affectionately refers to them helped Seattle turn an eight-point lead into a 14-point victory to improve to 7-1 for the season on their home floor.
The Storm (11-8), now stand in third place in the Western Conference, tied with the Phoenix Mercury, but the Storm currently hold the tie-breaker. Seattle is just a half game behind the Silver Stars, with whom they also hold the tie-breaker at this point, for second place in the conference.
Continuing to move up the standing could be key to the Storm chances of repeating as WNBA champions. Homecourt advantage is paramount for the Storm, who have won 30 of their last 31 at home, but have struggled on the road this season.
Tuesday night’s victory has the Storm right in the mix for the second seed and homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
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