The disparity is mind-numbing. KeyArena provides such a friendly environment for the Seattle Storm and victory after victory seem to come in front of the faithful, while the road has just been stone cold.
That continued on Tuesday night when the Storm fell 58-56 to the New York Liberty.
With the loss, the Storm fell to 4-9 away from KeyArena this season.
New York’s Cappie Pondexter put the Liberty ahead for good with a lay-up with 41.1 seconds to play. Pondexter led the Liberty (13-9) with 19 points. Sue Bird led the Storm (12-10) with 17.
Again, turnovers on the road were part of the problem for the Storm.
“We had multiple opportunities,” Storm head coach Brian Agler said. “It was one of those games where the ball did not bounce our way. We had twenty turnovers; until we get that corrected we are going to be on a rollercoaster, so we have to eliminate turnovers.”
Agler said it shouldn’t matter where the Storm play, but acknowledged the team does play better at home.
“It doesn’t really matter where you play,” Agler said. “We probably play better at home, obviously. You have to have a mental focus. You have to be locked in. We’re making turnovers early in the game because we think we’re not quite as sharp, we don’t need to be as sharp right now, well every possession is important.”
Bird said the loss was disappointing because the Storm had their opportunities.
“This one was a tough one,” Bird said. “We had a lot of opportunities there, during, and throughout the game. It’s disappointing, but you have to keep moving, you have to look forward. We’re still in the run for a position in the West and hopefully get home court at least in the first round and go from there.”
The Storm get a chance to turn things around on Thursday night a Key Arena against the 1-20 Tulsa Shock.
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